World Environment Day Highlights Need for More Nuclear Power
Statement by Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-founder and former leader Greenpeace, Co-Chair, CASEnergy Coalition
WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 5, 2007 – “As international attention is focused on the United Nations Environmental Program’s choice of ‘Melting Ice – A Hot Topic?’ as the theme of the 2007 World Environment Day, the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy) urges the international community to support the increased use of nuclear energy as a way to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
“For those concerned about global climate change, nuclear energy needs to be an integral part of our energy portfolio. Nuclear energy is the world’s largest source of emission-free energy. Nuclear power plants do not produce nitrous oxide or sulfur dioxide, which lead to smog and acid rain. Nuclear energy also does not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases suspected of causing global warming.
“The most recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which focused on ways to mitigate climate change globally, recognized that nuclear energy is one of the ways to meet power demands while not contributing to global warming.
“As participants convene at the World Environment Day gathering today in Norway, I strongly urge the United States and the rest of the world to look seriously at nuclear energy as a stable, reliable source of power that can accelerate the growth of our global economy while at the same time ensuring that we are careful environmental stewards. We need to begin expanding nuclear energy now – this is a commitment we can and should make if we are serious about combating climate change.”