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uclear energy pundits
overlook a few critical issues when advocating the importance of this “carbon-free”
energy source.
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| Josh Frydenburg - nuclear energy fan. |
The world’s carbon dioxide levels are already well beyond
what is considered safe and so we have no more time for talk or procrastination
of any sort.
We are presently in what has been described, and accepted as
by the world’s climate scientists, as the “critical decade”, that ever so brief
window when we must stop, and if possible reverse the world’s carbon emissions.
The nuclear energy boosters never talk about the fact that
it would take another decade to design and build a nuclear energy plant and
along with that never avoid any talk of embedded energy.
Nuclear power and its claimed zero emissions, an easily
disputed argument, despite these apparent and obvious drawbacks still has many
supporters even in the face of staunch facts that Australia could easily be
powered by renewable, decentralized energy.
However, little has changed in Canberra’s corridors of power
with Australia’s new Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, appointing a strong
advocate of nuclear energy in the key resources and energy portfolio as part of
sweeping changes to his cabinet and ministry.
Josh Frydenberg, an ally of Tony Abbott who was previously
assistant Treasurer, has been named as minister for resources, energy and
northern Australia, as part of a reshuffle that sees the portfolio split from
industry, innovation and science, which goes to former education minister Chris
Pyne.
Greg Hunt retains his spot as environment minister, to
continue his bluster around Direct Action as a result of Turnbull’s pact with
the Liberal Party’s far right wing, and Turnbull has also appointed Jamie
Briggs to be Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, in an appointment
welcomed by the Green Building Council and others.
Read Giles Parkinson’s story on Reneweconomy - “Turnbull appoints a nuclear fan to head energy policy”.
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