A better world is possible - Global Commons Institute

Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only.
www.brucenixon.com
In 2008 the captains of nuclear industry acknowledged they cannot bring nuclear power on-stream
for 10 years.
That is not fast enough and 2018 may be optimistic.
In 2018 new plants coming on stream would replace only a bare minority of 429 plants in the world,
many near or past their supposed decommissioning dates
Costs are likely to run over budget as in Finland and France whose first new plant in 15 years is
currently 20% over budget
Even if they could make a substantial contribution in 20 years, the industry has found no way to deal
with its wastes after many years.
To go ahead, despite this, is acting with total irresponsibility to future generations.
The French government tests have found groundwater radiation leaks under its 58 reactors after a
spate of radiation leaks.
Channelling billions of dollars/pounds into nuclear plants will divert resources from energy
conservation, energy efficiency and renewables which can produce more rapid results.
There is the problem of multiplying the risks from aggressive states, terrorist weapons, suitcase
bombs and smuggling rings.
The Government’s Low Carbon Buildings consultation identifies energy- efficient solar photovoltaics
as the cheapest technology combination for reaching the first step towards zero carbon in all homes
by 2016.
Thanks to Jeremy Leggett, whose article, A Nuclear conversion, Ecologist, April 2009, inspired this
summary.
Is government subservient to interests of yesterday’s Big Business? Or swayed by those who, wrongly in my
opinion, think that despite the arguments above, climate change is so urgent that the nuclear option is
essential? We need to be highly sceptical and get the best information we can from different sources to
make wise decisions. David MacKay’s book is a good starting point.
Nuclear Fusion To cap it all, nuclear fission, the current technology, may be completely replaced by nuclear
fusion if the work of Dr Brian MacGowan at the National Ignition Technology Facility (NIF) in central
California bears fruit in the form of Laser Inertial Fusion-Fission Energy (LIFE), and a prototype capability
could be available in 2020.
What governments must do
Governments worldwide
Governments need to create an international level playing field, global and regional frameworks, so that
nations and corporations can act responsibly without severely disadvantaging themselves. Global action, to
create a level playing field, is essential to enable national governments to take action that would otherwise
jeopardise their national competitive position. Jonathan Porritt proposes this could be a new role for the
World Trade Organisation, instead of fuelling unsustainable growth. USA and China together produce 40% of
global CO2 emissions. Barack Obama is seeking agreement with China on joint action to curb emissions.
Countries like Denmark, Sweden and Norway are already taking action and it does not seem to be
jeopardising their economic position. So, do governments really need to wait?
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