Re: Re: Nuclear, yes or no?

[Anonymous]

In France electricity is so ridiculously cheap, being nuclear generated and massively state subsidised, that you hardly ever see even a low-energy bulb, let alone a person who's aware that maybe we should be careful with such a precious resource.

I was on the Lovelock side of this debate, until recently, thinking that the culture shift which could eliminate unnecessary consumption isn't going to happen any time soon, and the consequences of nuclear are therefore the least worst option. The safety track record for the new generation of fission reactors is impeccable, but the biggest anti argument is financial – the whole cost including decommissioning when analyzed per Kw/h is crazy. The question governments are asking is 'can our economy and society afford not to pay that price, stability being priceless, and steady power supply being vital for stability?'.

Recently I'm thinking a good old energy crisis might do us a power of good. Human beings tend to only know the value of something once it's gone. Clichéd but true. What we need more than anything is for people to wake up and start acting responsibly. Nuclear power stations won't make that happen, neither will government awareness campaigns. All the lights (and computers&playstations&solariums&homecinemasystems& 40inchplasmascreenTVs&powershowers&petrolpumps&supermarketcheckouts&mobilephonenetworksetc.etc.etc.) going out just might…