Nuclear Power
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Nuclear Power is Dirty and Dangerous It can lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Nuclear power and nuclear weapons share a common technological basis. The uranium enrichment process to make fuel for nuclear power can be a step to enriching it further to produce weapons. Used nuclear fuel from nuclear power stations can be separated to recover elements such as uranium and plutonium. Plutonium can be used to make nuclear weapons. Research has shown that there are increased rates of cancer around nuclear power stations. New nuclear power stations are designed to be safer but there is always a chance of human error or mechanical failure which could release toxic radioactive substance into the atmosphere Chernobyl demonstrates that accidents can happen with widespread catastrophic consequences. Won’t it solve climate change? Climate change is an immediate threat. New nuclear power stations will take over a decade to come online. This is too late. Even if we were to double our output from nuclear power production, we would only decrease our emissions by 8%. If the whole nuclear fuel cycle is taken into account, renewable sources of energy produce far less carbon emissions. Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change. Jobs If renewable energy technology had the investment it deserves, far more jobs would be created in the green sector than the nuclear power industry. Alternative In order to truly tackle climate change, we need to reduce out carbon consumption. Alternative renewable sources of technology, such as wind, solar and wave, need proper funding. For example, in the UK if all homes were fitted with the insulation needed carbon emissions would be reduced by the same amount as 10 nuclear power stations. Is our future Nulcear Free or Nuclear? Listen to an audio recording of the meeting in Sheffield in April 2010 discussing the future of nuclear power in South Yorkshire. To find out more, and how to get involved go to Take Action!CND is part of the Stop Nuclear Power network, a national coaliton of groups that has been formed to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations in the UK. There is a demonstration planned on October 3rd at Hinkley Point (contact 01274 730 795 if you would like to travel down with members from Yorkshire). For more details see http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net To find out about campaigning against nuclear power locally contact the CND office on 01274 730795.
For more information on nuclear power see the national CND website. |
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