Global warming and the case for nuclear energy

THE first part of the fourth report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published on February 3, states with 90% certainty that global warming is anthropogenic and if we humans continue in a ‘business as usual’ manner, the consequences are likely to be apparent during this century and will be serious, if not catastrophic.

The IPCC has warned governments the world over that they must take urgent action if irreversible damage is to be avoided.

Subsequent parts of the report will deal with other aspects of the problem, and will include proposals for the types of preventive action that should be taken.

Since it is now clear that urgent action needs to be taken, we don’t need to wait for the panel to tell us what must be done.

The time is already overdue when we in Ireland should be seriously discussing ways of drastically reducing our output of greenhouse gases especially as, per capita, we are among the worst emitting countries.

We members of Better Environment with Nuclear Energy (BENE) advocate that in any such discussions earnest consideration should be given to the important role nuclear energy can and must play.

We are calling on all the political parties here to commit themselves to a realistic and properly informed debate on the potential contribution from nuclear energy.

Denis Duff BE

Burnaby Woods

Greystones

Co Wicklow

Ian McAulay MA, PhD, FInst P

Shrewsbury Road

Shankill

Co Dublin

Maire Morrissey-Cummins

Burnaby Woods

Greystones

Co Wicklow David Sowby MD, FSRP

Knocksinna Crescent

Dublin 18

John Stafford BBS, MA, FCA

Dargle Wood

Knocklyon

Dublin 16

FankTurvey C Eng, FIEI, FIAE, FINucE, FinstP

Church Road

Greystones

Co Wicklow

Philip Walton BA (Mod) PhD, C Phys., FInstP., C Eng., FIET

Moycullen

Co Galway