Australia should embrace nuclear power
4 March 2010 - Melbourne
In the wake of grave scientific warnings about the role of carbon emissions in climate change, prominent environmental scientists like James Lovelock have called for the world to employ nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Yet, Lovelock’s call has divided the environmental movement – and sections of the wider community – where there remain deep-seated fears about nuclear hazards (disposal, pollution, accident, weaponisation and proliferation).
But are such fears misguided or irrelevant when compared to the unfolding reality of adverse climate change?
Given our vast reserves of uranium, our stable political economy and isolation – does Australia have an obligation to embrace nuclear power?
The godfather of the climate change debate, Dr James Hansen, is coming from the United States to debate this vital issue of the use of nuclear energy as an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.
Joining him, for the affirmative, will be Dr Ziggy Switkowski, outspoken advocate of nuclear power and Dr Erica Smyth.
The negative will consist of Molly Harriss Olson, former Presidential advisor to President Clinton on energy, Dr Mark Diesendorf, world renowned writer on climate change and Dr Jim Green, nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth.
Speakers
For:
- Dr James Hansen
- Dr Erica Smyth
- Dr Ziggy Switkowski
Against:
- Dr Mark Diesendorf
- Molly Harriss Olson
- Dr Jim Green
Speaker details to come. Please check back.
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