ENVIRONMENT

Some of the world’s top climate scientists say wind and solar energy won’t be enough to combat global warming, and they’re asking environmentalists to support the development of nuclear power as one way to cut fossil-fuel pollution. (Associated Press)

You Have the Power! Play our fantastic new game to balance your town’s energy portfolio. Will you incorporate nuclear power to safely, efficiently, and economically provide electricity to your community?

James Hansen is one of the environmental scientists advocating for greater support of nuclear power. Listen to his reasoning here.

Discussion Ideas

• Nuclear energy does not rely on non-renewable resources and does not contribute to global warming. Why don’t most environmentalists embrace nuclear technology with the same enthusiasm with which they support solar or wind power?
  • Many environmentalists worry about storage of radioactive waste and securing sensitive nuclear material. Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke, quoted in the AP article, says “nuclear power is no panacea for our climate woes . . . The better path is to clean up our power plants and invest in efficiency and renewable energy.”

• Play our game “You Have the Power.” In the game, you must provide electricity to your community (on the coast, in the mountains, or on the plains) on a strict budget. You also must efficiently balance renewable, fossil fuel, and nuclear power sources. What portion of your portfolio will be nuclear? What do stakeholders think about nuclear energy generation? (Click on “What does the community think?”) How would the scientists in the AP article address their concerns?

Thanks to our favorite Marine, Spencer, for the heads-up on this great current-event connection!