Nuclear power is a technology of broken but dangerous promises. The declining nuclear industry currently hopes for climate change as a last mean to rescue its technology. In various countries, there are discussions about lifetime extensions or new nuclear power plants, which are presented as an alternative to the expansion of renewables.
The fact that nuclear power is not capable of solving the climate crisis is hidden from view: Even if you ignore all the dangers, problems and social injustices associated with it, it is simply too weak, too slow and too expensive – and thus prevents real climate protection. It primarily serves as a distraction: As ever, nuclear power is supposed to stabilize the existing system, to suggest that something would be done to solve the climate crisis, and to have real solutions – such as the expansion of renewable energies, changes in lifestyle or even overcoming the mandate of economic growth – seem unnecessary.
It is also important that groups from non-nuclear countries sign: To jointly oppose the pro-nuclear voices, but also because countries pay for nuclear power even without operating nuclear power plants on their territories. The EURATOM-treaty, established in 1957 and nearly unchanged since then, obliges all EU member states to cooperate and to further develop nuclear power. This treaty is also used as a legal justification to heavily subsidize nuclear power – thus further stalling renewable energies.
Whether coal, gas, oil, uranium, … – we know that as a movement we cannot allow ourselves to be divided. This statement is there to convey this to the outside world.
More Information:
- Don’t Nuke the Climate Coalition https://dont-nuke-the-climate.org/
- Scientists’ appeal to the COP 23 (2017): Nuclear – no solution to climate change https://www.oekonews.at/?mdoc_id=1115901,