The Greens have successfully cast themselves as the party of climate science. But to hit their climate goals they may need to become even more radical, by embracing technologies like nuclear power.
The biggest concern is that nuclear power is too expensive for South Africa and investing in it will cripple the economy.
Shutterstock
South Africa’s nuclear plans have been put on hold. In light of recent events in the country, pressure is being put on the government to halt the process.
Australia could take spent fuel from nuclear power stations overseas. This one is in South Korea.
IAEA Imagebank/Flickr
Chernobyl is already responsible for up to 5,000 cases of cancer in Europe.
After one reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant caught fire and exploded in 1986, the whole site was encased in a concrete sarcophagus.
Vladimir Repik/Reuters
The meltdown at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 exposed 572 million people to radiation. No other nuclear accident holds a candle to that level of public health impact.
White storks on road near Chernobyl, Ukraine. Many parts of the Chernobyl region have low radioactivity levels and serve as refuges for plants and animals.
Tim Mousseau
How do we measure long-term impacts of nuclear accidents? Studies at Chernobyl and Fukushima show that radiation has harmed animals, birds and insects and reduced biodiversity at both sites.
Russia’s energy exports are expanding far beyond oil and gas to include coal, nuclear and refined petroleum products, a trend with far-reaching geopolitical consequences.
Temelin nuclear power plant, Czech Republic.
IAEA/Flickr
Recent terrorist attacks have heightened concerns about the security of nuclear plants. A former top U.S. nuclear regulator says security is weak at many sites worldwide.
The nuclear power plant in Doel, Belgium.
EPA/Laurent Dubrule
Remediation will never get radiation to zero in the area affected by the 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. Rather than safety, the conversation should focus on acceptable risk.
South Africa has made promises to decarbonise but is hugely reliable on coal - so this is difficult.
Shutterstock
Dr Alan Finkel took over as Australia’s Chief Scientist in January this year. In this exclusive interview, he describes his approach to science, and to issues such as renewable energy and STEM jobs.
George Osborne and Jim O'Neil, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury and a former Goldman Sachs investment chief, enjoy a contract signing in Beijing earlier this year.
REUTERS/Andy Wong/Pool