| rgy demands of the world are continuously | | | | recent publicity that, "Although not implicated in |
| increasing. Experts are worried about the future | | | | either the greenhouse effect or acid rain, nuclear |
| of power generation because there are not | | | | power generation does, of course, present its |
| enough supplies of coal, water and gas to fulfill the | | | | own set of environmental concerns". |
| needs of mankind in the long term future. | | | | Despite such efforts, two fundamental questions |
| Alternative sources of energy such as nuclear | | | | which are central to the whole debate about |
| energy are being developed. Nuclear energy has | | | | nuclear power and global warming remained |
| several advantages over other sources of energy | | | | unanswered. These were, "Does nuclear power |
| because it is not limited by space or location. | | | | contribute to carbon dioxide emissions?" and "Can |
| As the name itself suggests, a nuclear power | | | | nuclear power provide a realistic long-term solution |
| plant is a facility where nuclear energy is | | | | to global warming.Mr Obama said they were |
| harnessed to generated electricity. For those of | | | | needed to meet future energy needs and reduce |
| us who haven’t heard about this term, it | | | | dependence on foreign oil. There has been no new |
| may seem like a new concept since we usually | | | | nuclear power plants started in the US since the |
| hear of atomic and hydrogen bombs which use | | | | 1979 accident at Three Mile Island. President |
| nuclear energy for large scale destruction. But the | | | | Obama called the programmed "only the |
| same power is used for constructive purposes in | | | | beginning" of efforts to develop "safe, clean," |
| nuclear power plants. This gives an edge to | | | | energy efficient technologies. He called for |
| nuclear power plants over conventional sources | | | | comprehensive energy legislation which assigns a |
| like coal or gas because it means freedom from | | | | cost to the carbon pollution of fossil fuels, giving |
| geographical factors and parameters. Furthermore | | | | utility companies more incentive to turn to cleaner |
| since the amount of fuel required is much less as | | | | nuclear fuel. |
| compared to conventional sources of power | | | | But I think that after announcing the two new |
| generation, there is no need to have extensive | | | | nuclear plants in America, will create the confusion |
| storage facilities and transportation networks for | | | | about some countries that want to nuclear power |
| the same amount of power generated. | | | | enhancement in their countries will be much |
| Speaking on BBC television a year ago the then | | | | interested to marketing the nuclear material and |
| Secretary of State for the Environment, Nicholas | | | | equipments.President Barack Obama insists that |
| Ridley, stated that, "There is absolutely no doubt | | | | the U.S. mission in Afghanistan is about "making |
| that if you want to arrest the Greenhouse Effect | | | | sure that al Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. |
| you should concentrate on a massive increase in | | | | homeland and U.S. interests and our allies" or |
| nuclear generating capacity. Nuclear power | | | | "project violence against" American citizens. The |
| stations give out no sulphur and carbon dioxide, so | | | | reasoning is that if the Taliban win in Afghanistan, |
| they are the cleanest form of power generation". | | | | al Qaeda will once again be able to set up shop |
| Despite subsequent qualifications to these views, | | | | there to carry out its dirty work. As the |
| it is obvious that Mr. Ridley was acting as the | | | | president puts it, Afghanistan would "again be a |
| stalking horse for a Prime Minister and a | | | | base for terrorists who want to kill as many of |
| Government that clearly favour nuclear power. | | | | our people as they possibly can." This argument is |
| Those responsible for the public relations | | | | constantly repeated but rarely examined; given |
| campaigns of the nuclear and related industries | | | | the costs and risks associated with the Obama |
| have taken a more subtle, yet no less emotive | | | | administration’s plans for the region. |
| approach. | | | | It is time such statements be given the scrutiny |
| Faced with a widening gulf between image and | | | | they deserve. Multiple sources, including Lawrence |
| reality over nuclear economics, safety, radiation | | | | Wright's book The Looming Tower, make clear |
| hazards, nuclear weapons proliferation, | | | | that the Taliban was a reluctant host to al Qaeda |
| decommissioning and waste disposal; the | | | | in the 1990s and felt betrayed when the terrorist |
| greenhouse effect and global warming has | | | | group repeatedly violated agreements to refrain |
| provided a welcome lifeline for beleaguered public | | | | from issuing inflammatory statements and |
| relations staff. In expensive double-spread | | | | fomenting violence abroad. Then the al |
| advertisements, British Nuclear Fuels pic proclaims, | | | | Qaeda-sponsored 9/11 attacks -- which the |
| "The Greenhouse Effect. We have the power to | | | | Taliban had nothing to do with -- led to the |
| prevent it" and nuclear power is portrayed as "a | | | | toppling of the Taliban’s regime. Given the |
| source of clean energy for the future". Mindful of | | | | Taliban’s limited interest in issues outside |
| rules governing factual content in advertising and | | | | the "AfPak" region, if they came to power again |
| wary of an audience that has become better | | | | now, they would be highly unlikely to host |
| informed through bitter experience: National | | | | provocative terrorist groups whose actions could |
| Power, one of the intended successors to the | | | | lead to another outside intervention. |
| Central Electricity Generating Board, explains in its | | | | |