Why Nuclear Power Is Not An Option

EARTHLIFE Namibia wishes to strengthen the debate on the risks and inherent problems of nuclear technology for reasons outlined below.

In 1986 block IV of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in the Ukraine exploded due to technological failure combined with human error. The accident was the largest civilian disaster ever. It caused widespread radioactive contamination across continents killing many people and affecting millions of lives. Still today, almost 23 years later, children are born with severe birth defects due to genetic material damaged by radioactivity released during the accident. Earthlife believes that the Chernobyl accident must serve as a lesson to humankind realizing that nuclear power is an uncontrollable technology. This lesson is as important today as it was 23 years ago. As a result of the Chernobyl catastrophe, nuclear power programs around the world were cancelled and so began a long period of phase-out. However, the nuclear industry has not given up and uses public fear about the security of energy supply and the impact of climate change in a desperate bid for growth. Uranium is the sole source of nuclear power and like other fossil fuels is not infinite. The easily discoverable and extractable uranium sources are known and there is no indication of new rich uranium deposits. Unfortunately the risk of new accidents still exists, since technical and human failure can never be ruled out. Presently 439 nuclear reactors are in operation across the world and 35 are under construction – and not one of them is immune from accidents. Moreover, as the true extent of the world’s hunger to energy becomes obvious, the nuclear industry is seeking to continue to operate outdated reactors far beyond their lifespan, while simultaneously trying to gain government subsidies for building more nuclear power stations. One of the largest problems of the nuclear industry is the radioactive waste. Despite more than half a century of research and exploration, no country has yet found a permanent and safe solution to isolate lethal radioactive waste from the environment. Presently, the nuclear industry and its international supporters suggest storage of the world’s nuclear waste in a few regional sites, having underdeveloped countries in mind and tempting them with the questionable pledge of big earnings. Earthlife strongly opposes this attempt to make some countries responsible for the waste of the whole world and burden them with the most hazardous material. Radioactive decay continues to take place for over 100,000 years. Radiation is harmful to humankind and to all plant and animal life on earth. What radiation can do to living organisms was clearly illustrated in 2008 when the Russian former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with a tiny dose of polonium-210. It killed him in a few days. Nuclear radiation occurs when unstable atoms decay. It disrupts the functioning of the cells that make up living organisms. High-level radiation kills cells, resulting in radiation burns, sickness and death. Low-level radiation causes mutations, which can result in cancer and inheritable genetic damage, some after 10, 20 or more years after exposure. Nuclear power creates unacceptable risks to people of all nations, not only because of the dangers from reactors and failure to find a safe mechanism to manage radioactive waste, but also due to the considerable and growing risks from nuclear proliferation and the threat of terrorism. The development of nuclear power industry leads to the growth of plutonium stockpiles which can be used to produce weapons by nuclear states and terrorists groups. Presently 32 countries are in the possession of material which can be used for the production of nuclear weapons, while 11 countries, including Iran, have the capacity to enrich uranium. Materials usable for nuclear weapons are stockpiled worldwide, some of which are poorly controlled and being subject to theft in storage or during transportation. Meanwhile, each commercial-sized nuclear power station produces about 250 kg of plutonium every year, while ‘civilian’ uranium enrichment facilities can easily be used to produce nuclear weapons in every country with such a program. Further development of the nuclear industry will lead to ever growing stockpiles across the world, hence further increasing the risks of proliferation. Another huge risk is the possibility of terror attacks. No nuclear power plant would withstand an impact similar to the one on the World Trade Centre in New York. Alternative energy technologies are available and increasingly cost-effective. Nuclear power provides only 4% of the total energy consumed globally and can be replaced with renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. However, political will and a larger effort are needed to accelerate the development of these resources. Countries worldwide need to develop determined, environmentally sound energy policies, redirecting the investments to obtain the economic and environmental benefits of greatly increased energy efficiency and to support development of safe and clean renewable energy sources. This development is also needed to meet the reality of the growing climate crisis. Earthlife urges all governments across the world, including the Namibian government, to invest in environmentally-friendly and on the long-run more cost-effective technologies instead in dangerous and unnecessary nuclear power. A coordinated global effort to attain a sustainable energy reality in the 21st century will lead to greater energy independence for all nations, greater democracy, and a cleaner, safer, more prosperous world, a world we seek to promote and create. Bertchen Kohrs Earthlife Namibia