GR.–Nuclear power generation creates extremely dangerous waste products that people must manage carefully for thousands of years.  If the predictions of a great number of our scientists comes true and human civilization suffers major setbacks due to global warming, nuclear waste management might become impossible.  Does it seem prudent to assume that we will always have the spare resources to deal with the wastes?

There are two other problems.  Currently, there is great income disparity across people and nations.  Everywhere, wealth is accumulating in the pockets a few people and leaving the pockets of most people.  Nuclear power requires large investments.  Investors expect to make profits, and this will add to the income disparity among people.  The avarice that produces income disparity has been a disaster for Earth’s natural systems.  Nuclear power generation will require water, land for power corridors, and great waste repositories.  All of these will further damage Earth ecosystems.

The article below employs the oxymoron “sustainable development” and is typical of the growth-at-all-costs philosophy of business and the governments it controls.

The IAEA hosted an exhibition on nuclear sciences and applications for sustainable development at the 2016 European Development Days in Brussels. The exhibition featured panels explaining how nuclear techniques can help countries tackle global challenges. Brussels, Belgium, 16 June 2016. (Photo: B. Benzinger/IAEA)

Omar Yusuf.–What do food and water insecurity, limited access to healthcare, climate change and land degradation have in common? Nuclear techniques can help address all these priority areas for international action under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The connection between global challenges, sustainable development and nuclear technologies was the focus of an IAEA panel discussion yesterday at the 2016 European Development Days (EDD), marking the first time the IAEA held an event at the forum.

The IAEA’s participation at the tenth EDD, one of the first major conferences to address the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, also included an exhibition explaining the use of nuclear techniques in food and agriculture and their development impact (See box).  Continue reading:  17 Ways to Change the World: IAEA Promotes the Role of Nuclear Technologies in Sustainable Development at European Development Days | International Atomic Energy Agency

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