CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is recognized as one of the biggest challenges facing humanity. However, the nuclear industry has been keen to try and abuse legitimate concerns about climate change.
By claiming that nuclear power is (part of) the solution to climate change, the industry hopes to create new demand for nuclear energy. Fortunately, at the Climate Conference in Bonn (COP6b - 2001), it was decided to at least not subsidize the export of atomic power stations to developing countries under the header of the so-called 'Clean Development Mechanism' or 'Joint Implementation.' This is a big victory for the anti-nuclear movement. However, it certainly isn't the end of the story.
During the run up to Johannesburg (WSSD / Rio +10 - 2002) the nuclear industry tried again to get nuclear recognised as a tool for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainability. It looked like they were going to succed this time.
In the draft declaration, nuclear energy was mentioned as a renewable source (!) but in the final declaration, all reference to nuclear energy was removed.
This however left a gap, as nuclear was not rejected outright. There remains some debate about the interpretation of the text: most countries and NGO’s say nuclear is excluded, but the industry (together with some countries) thinks otherwise. The story continues...
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