The nuclear industry wants us to believe that atomic power is a good thing. They even argue that nuclear could be considered sustainable! That is, after a few minor problems have been solved, such as safety, waste disposal and limited uranium resources.
The argument goes as follows: for over fifty years billions of dollars have been invested in nuclear power. The above mentioned issues still remain unresolved. But more investments would lead to a resolution of these problems and consequently nuclear will then contribute to a sustainable energy future.
To find out why this is a totally ridiculous line of argument, check our background information.
One of the fora used by the advocates of nukes is the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD). One of CSD's tasks is to elaborate policy guidance and options for future activities to follow up the Rio Eearth Summit of 1992 and achieve sustainable development. The CSD will also prepare the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio +10).
At its Ninth Session (April 2001), on of the issues on the agenda was energy. As the Commission put it:
' The challenge is how to meet the growing demand for energy while mitigating the impact of energy supply and use on the environment and thus guarantee the long term quality of our habitat.'
The Ninth Session of the CSD (a.k.a. CSD9) ended with a wishy-washy text on nuclear, which will serve as a basis for Rio +10. During CSD9, a petition against the support of nuclear technologies, signed by over 750 organizations, was presented tot the CSD Chairperson. The text of the petition and the list of signatories, as well as reports on the outcome of CSD9 and on the activities of anti-nuclear campaigners, can be found below.
Petition against the support of Nuclear Technologies, addressing CSD
CSD 9: Nuclear at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development
- Is nuclear sustainable? Article published in Third World Resurgence # 127/128, March/April 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/csd/twr.html
- ¿La energía atómica es sustentable? Article published in Revista del Sur, July 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/csd/rds.html
- Nuclear unbracketed to the Rio+10 ? A report on CSD9, featuring the petition-action of over 750 NGOs as well as the final text on nuclear. Published in WISE News Communique 548, 11 May 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/548/5268.html
- NGO reps thrown out of CSD; Earthday 2001 Update by WISE written during CSD9. 22 April 2001. www.antenna.nl/wise/csd/update.html#22
- Energy Experts Report; Presentation of No Nukes NGO petition to CSD. Update by WISE written during CSD9. 17 April 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/csd/update.html#17
- Commission on Sustainble Development: Nuclear power no solution to climate change. By Nic Maclellan. Published in the Pacific News Bulletin, January 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/csd/pac.html
- Nuclear bracketed to CSD. Article about outcome of the meeting of the Energy Experts which prepared CSD9.
Published in WISE News Communique 545, 23 March 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/545/5257.html
- Nuclear sustainable? Article about the political struggles at and IAEA input into the Energy Experts meeting preparing CSD9. Published in WISE News Communique 544, 2 March 2001
www.antenna.nl/wise/544/5250.html
- CSD Homepage: info about the Commission's mandate, past and future sessions etc.
www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd.htm
- CSD and Energy
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/enr.htm
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