Tony Blair has fallen for the 'false solution'
29 November 2005
Tony Blair has fallen for the 'false solution' proffered by the nuclearlobby.
Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor today expressed dismay atBlair's decision to open the door to a new generation of nuclear powerstations.
"Faced with an unsafe and dwindling supply of fossil fuels, the risingthreat of climate change through increasing carbon emissions and a growingenergy crisis, Tony Blair has fallen for the 'false solution' proffered bythe nuclear lobby.
"Nuclear power is unsafe, uneconomic and unsustainable. After 50 years oftoxic waste production, we still don't know what to do with it. In the UK,we have yet to see a nuclear project come in on budget - a staggering factconsidering the enormous subsidies provided at the public's expense.
"Nor is nuclear technology the much hailed solution to rising carbonemissions. It is criminal the way its proponents have managed to portraythis dangerous and polluting power source as carbon neutral, when it isanything but. To generate electricity from uranium, a complex chain ofcarbon dioxide producing industrial processes is followed: to converturanium ore in the ground into fuel elements for the reactor; to constructthe facilities including the nuclear power plant itself; and to handle andstore waste safely.
"Renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar power, however, areclean, cheap and safe. They do not rely on massive subsidy from thetaxpayer, or a scarce and finite supply of high grade uranium. Nor will theydo irreparable harm to our world and our health."
