The Nuclear Energy Institute position on Man-Made Global Warming John Shanahan November 4, 2019 The Nuclear Energy Institute website has a section dedicated to Climate, click here. Ted Rockwell was an outstanding leader in the development of naval and commercial nuclear power. He recommended that the nuclear industry not get involved in discussions about man-made global warming from fossil fuels. Ted Rockwell’s position on climate change and nuclear power is given in his Nuclear Energy Facts Report, page 4. For Rockwell, climate change mostly meant the forces of nature, not carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. This is because the proof is not there that additional carbon dioxide from fossil fuels added to the natural carbon dioxide cycle for atmosphere, living things, oceans, land and rocks is causing catastrophic global warming. If nuclear advocates and experts back this claim and it is proven wrong, the public will question their expertise and motives. This will harm acceptance of nuclear power in Europe and North America. The NEI website states: -
Nuclear energy provides more than 55 percent of America’s carbon-free electricity.
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We need deep decarbonization to hit our climate goals. Nuclear power can get us there. As our largest source of clean energy, nuclear power is critical to reduce carbon emissions. Wind, solar and geothermal are on the rise, but the smartest policies will ensure these technologies complement, not replace, nuclear's clean energy production. Protecting and growing our use of nuclear technologies are important ways to make a dent in greenhouse gases and help us make meaningful progress to address climate change.
QUESTIONS: 1) Why does NEI support the idea that the world needs deep decarbonization? Carbon dioxide is essential for life. If CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and permanently locked away, life will struggle and eventually cease. Fossil fuels enabled the greatest advances in the standard of living ever. 2) Can nuclear power expand fast enough around the world to meet the supposed climate crisis deadlines in the next 50 to 100 years? CLEARLY NOT! CONCLUSION: The NEI should stay away from claiming to solve man-made climate change issues and focus on actual topics holding nuclear back.
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Climate - Austria
Climate - Germany
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Climate - Italy
Climate – France 3
Climate – UK
Climate – USA Why does the NEI worry about catastrophic man-made global warming? To promote nuclear for a wrong scientific reason? Doesn’t make nuclear experts look like experts. 4