Via NEI Nuclear Notes, an interesting discussion about the role of nuclear power in the energy mix as Europe grapples with carbon emission reduction targets. Per capita/per GDP unit carbon emissions in France are already substantially lower than the UK and Germany. France generates 80 percent of its electricity from its nuke plants. The French seem to want to get some credit for that which they already have done:
At his swansong summit, the outgoing French president Jacques Chirac insisted that he would only agree to binding energy targets if nuclear power were included and proposed that 45% of the mix come from non-fossil fuel sources.
I like the party graphic. It was a “simpler” time.
As someone who works in the electric energy sector, one of my major concerns is that pundits, the press, the politicians and the public seem to be far removed from how much electricity we produce and use, and what goes into producing it.
When making decisions about our energy future, I think we need to start by first understanding our energy present. So I’ve written an introduction to my own field of expertise – nuclear power. To avoid reader boredom it’s in the form of a thriller novel, and it’s available at no cost to readers at RadDecision.blogspot.com . Reader reviews at the homepage have been very positive. “Rad Decision” is also available in paperback at online retailers.
“I’d like to see Rad Decision widely read.” – Stewart Brand, founder of The Whole Earth Catalog and noted futurist.
http://RadDecision.blogspot.com
Eli’s been beating the drum about French nuclear for a while. The other nice thing about nuclear is how it compliments renewables
The way I see it, Nuclear Power is the answer. Living in Australia, I am aware of how much energy, we as a country use. My Economics teacher said to the class the other week:
“If everyone lived like Australians, we would need four planet earths to keep an healthy balance”
I think we need to take a chance with Nuclear Power, because whatever way we go, we are be stuffed, we just need to put it off for as long as possible.