Time has come to really consider nuclear option

I refer to the letter writer (Patrick L O’Brien, August 13) favouring the “nuclear option” which is very divisive among environmentalists but scientists argue is necessary.

Environmentalists agree that global warming is a threat to ecosystems and humans, but many oppose nuclear power and believe that new forms of renewable energy will sustain the world within the next few decades and diminish carbon emissions. But these energy sources cannot be scaled up fast enough to deliver the amount of cheap and reliable power the country needs.

With persistent warnings on global warming and carbon dioxide emissions rising faster than ever, we cannot afford to turn our backs on nuclear technology that has the potential to reduce greenhouse gases.

There are risks to using nuclear power, but those outweigh the risks posed by extreme climate change. While nuclear power is not a panacea for climate woes, renewable energy cannot solve the country’s energy requirements and a debate on the role of nuclear power in fighting climate change is needed.

The time has come to take the threat of global warming seriously and to embrace the deployment of safer nuclear power systems in an effort to foster a new global energy supply.

Gerry Coughlan

Parkhill West,

Dublin 24