Japan tragedy an 'eye opener' on nuclear energy – AD

AD spokesman on Sustainable Development and Local Government Carmel Cacopardo stated that on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, which took place on 26 April 1986, the “myths on safety of nuclear energy have been shattered once and for all.”

A number of European governments have decided to revise their use of nuclear energy following the nuclear crisis facing Japan, after four explosions and two fires that have struck the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In Germany - as a result of the continuous campaigning of the Greens German Chancellor - Angela Merkel has decided to re-examine plans to extend the life of Germany’s 17 existing nuclear power stations, and announced the temporary closure of its two oldest ones.

Switzerland has likewise announced putting on hold plans its plans for new nuclear power stations, while the Austrian Minister for the Environment has called for checks on the safety of nuclear facilities.

“It is very fortunate that the agreement between Nicolas Sarkozy on behalf of the French Republic and Colonel Gadddafi on the supply by France to Libya of nuclear technology to be used for the desalinisation of water along Libya’s Mediterranean coast has not to date materialised. In the ongoing civil war in Libya, access to and misuse of nuclear material would be an added worry,” Cacopardo added.

Prof Arnold Cassola, AD Spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, warned the Maltese government of the statement Italian Minister Romani made, in which he pointed out that despite the catastrophe in Japan, Italy would not go back on its nuclear programme.

“The Maltese Government should take the necessary steps at EU level to ensure that the Berlusconi government, through its construction of a nuclear facility in Sicily, does not put the safety of all the people living in the central Mediterranean region at risk.”

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said that the Japanese tragedy confirms the man-made risks to the global society, as is the case with nuclear energy, and though such energy may solve short-term problems related to demand for energy, it is ultimately unsustainable due to the dangers it presents because of the limited supply of raw material uranium and the storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste, which remains a major cause for concern.

“Global subsidies towards nuclear energy should be progressively diverted towards clean alternative energy such as solar and wind energy. Such energy has unlimited supply, is totally safe and does not contribute towards climate change.”