Solar and Wind Easily Beat out Nuclear for Security, Sustainability and Jobs
A new study by Stanford University engineering professor, Mark K. Jacobson, concludes that solar and wind energy are infitintely preferable to nuclear and coal in addressing global warming, creating jobs and reducing the number of deaths caused by air pollution. Jacobson viewed nuclear energy as too proliferation-vulnerable. "The potential for terrorists to obtain a nuclear weapon or for states to develop nuclear weapons that could be used in limited regional wars will certainly increase with an increase in the number of nuclear energy facilities worldwide," he said. Read the Science News article about his study here.
Beyond Nuclear aims to educate
and activate the public about the connections between nuclear
power and nuclear weapons and the need to abandon both to
safeguard our future. Beyond Nuclear advocates for an energy
future that is sustainable, benign and democratic.
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A YEAR-END APPEAL FROM ACTOR, JAMES CROMWELL
Please support Beyond Nuclear and its important new human rights campaign to end uranium mining
Nuclear power depends on uranium mining. Historically, and still today, this dangerous and dirty work has been carried out by indigenous people - all over the world - many of whom are destitute and without proper health care or clean drinking water. Here in the U.S., the Navajo Nation has at last cried "hold, enough!" and banned uranium mining from their land. In Niger, Africa, the nomadic Touareg are literally fighting for their lives to stop uranium mining expansion. The Australian Aborigines - and many others - are waging the same struggle. All of them have, for decades, suffered the often deadly health effects caused by uranium mining and milling. None of this need happen if we just stop this reckless and unnecessary greed for electricity generated by nuclear power. I urge you to help Beyond Nuclear in its year-round efforts to end nuclear power and especially in its new initiative to pre-empt an unfolding genocide in Africa over uranium. Click here to give today. And please read my letter here about the unfolding crisis in Niger. (James Cromwell is currently starring as George Bush Sr., in Oliver Stone's biopic, "W.")
Read the New York Times article about the Touareg struggle for justice here.
For nuclear whistleblowers: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
Writes David Lochbaum of Union of Concerned Scientists: "Fifteen years ago this month, the Houston Chronicle ran an 8-page feature story on the plight of whistleblowers at nuclear power plants. It will be available here until December 24th. Are things different today? Yes. It's 2008, not 1993. Yes, it's Kymn Harvin, Alex Murray, Andrew Siemaszko instead of Ann Harris, Jim Kelly, Arnie Gundersen. Yes, it's Callaway, Indian Point, St. Lucie instead of South Texas Project, Millstone and Palo Verde. No, the names and dates have changed, but as Led Zeppelin proclaimed, the song remains the same.The nuclear industry then and the nuclear industry now has an open door policy -- if you dare speak up about a nuclear safety issue, they show you the open door."
Paul Winter celebrates Winter Solstice with New York concerts
Beyond Nuclear Launch Partner, Paul Winter, will perform at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City on December 19, 20, 21 in celebration of the Winter Solstice. He is joined by gospel singer, Theresa Thomason, Brazilian singer/guitarist, Renato Braz and woodwind master, Paul McCandless. Beyond Nuclear has been invited as a partner charity and will be tabling at the event. For more information and ticket orders, visit the concert Web site here.
New! Obama Transition Watch
Thumbs Up:A Chat with Al Gore: During a meeting this week with Al Gore, president-elect Obama was quoted as saying that global warming is "not only a problem, but it's also an opportunity . . .We all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now, that this is a matter of urgency and national security, and it has to be dealt with in a serious way . . . We have the opportunity now to make jobs all across this country, in all 50 states, to repower America . . . We are not going to miss this opportunity.”
New Energy Secretary, Steven Chu: Chuis a clear advocate of energy efficiency and conservation and recognizes "the waste and proliferation issues [of nuclear power] still haven't been completely solved." All good news, but...
Beyond Nuclear plans to keep you posted on our efforts to brief the incoming energy team.
And read Beyond Nuclear board member, Karl Grossman's take on Secretary Chu in Counterpunch.
Stop EPR USA Campaign
The frontrunner in line to build the first new nuclear plants in the U.S. in decades is the French government-owned corporation, Areva. Its reactor is known as the Evolutionary Power Reactor (EPR), and seven of these expensive monoliths - 1600 MW - are targeted for six U.S. sites. The Stop EPR USA campaign aims to block the licensing and construction of the EPR and works in collaboration with our Stop EPR partners in France. For more, visit our Stop EPR page.
A YEAR-END APPEAL FROM ACTOR, JAMES CROMWELL
Paul Winter celebrates Winter Solstice with New York concerts
New! 
