Nuclear power is not the answer

Plans for new nuclear sites in the UK have largely stalled over the past decade, due to the unwillingness of private companies to develop nuclear power stations without sufficient subsidy from government, hardly a glowing testament to the technology. Nuclear advocates have continued to champion nuclear power as a reliable, clean energy source however, while the availability of superior renewable energy technologies rapidly being developed across the world is meanwhile ignored.

There are many reasons CND campaigns against nuclear power production. Nuclear power is expensive – the British public massively subsidises the nuclear industry.

Perhaps even more worryingly, there is still no safe, long-term solution for storing radioactive nuclear waste and yet the government wants to produce more with no answer in sight.

Apart from the waste, nuclear power production can lead to cancer clusters and potentially catastrophic disasters or accidents. Even small amounts of radiation exposure may be harmful.

It’s important to note that the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries share a common technological basis and are mutually beneficial, meaning that investment in nuclear power production is used as a subsidy for our nuclear weapons system.

And all the while, the alternative does exist! If billions were to be invested by the government in further developing renewable energy sources rather than subsidising the nuclear industry, we could soon have enough secure and clean energy sources while creating thousands of new jobs.