Nuclear energy on trial
After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima Germany, Italy and Switzerland have bid farewell to nuclear power, while other countries are discussing its merits. Will this make Europe a safer place or just make electricity more expensive?
Financial Times Deutschland - Germany | Friday, 30. March 2012
In view of the politically enforced nuclear phaseout in Germany the energy providers RWE and Eon have also abandoned their international plans for new nuclear plants and are selling their jointly-owned British nuclear company Horizon Nuclear Power. The new policy promises more opportunities than risks, the liberal business paper Financial Times Deutschland contends: » more
In view of the politically enforced nuclear phaseout in Germany the energy providers RWE and Eon have also abandoned their international plans for new nuclear plants and are selling their jointly-owned British nuclear company Horizon Nuclear Power. The new policy promises more opportunities than risks, the liberal business paper Financial Times Deutschland contends: "Above all it gives the much-berated nuclear dinosaurs RWE and Eon a boost in credibility regarding the energy transformation. Both companies are making a big effort to polish their images, far more than just putting new colours in their logos, as some have rebuked Eon for doing. The new focus on renewable, decentralised energy production and efficiency could still turn out to be a competitive advantage - even in the strongly nuclear-oriented UK. Because even there, ambitious targets have been set for the transformation of the energy sector, for example concerning the market share for renewable energy. That could become more than a niche market for RWE and Eon."
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Tageswoche - Switzerland | Thursday, 8. March 2012
The Swiss Federal Court on Wednesday withdrew the open-ended operation licence for the nuclear plant in Mühleberg. The judges listed security issues as the reason for the verdict. This is a step in the right direction, the weekly Tages-Woche writes: » more
The Swiss Federal Court on Wednesday withdrew the open-ended operation licence for the nuclear plant in Mühleberg. The judges listed security issues as the reason for the verdict. This is a step in the right direction, the weekly Tages-Woche writes: "It is impossible to determine from a journalist's desk how secure the nuclear reactor in Mühleberg really is. There is no consensus even among experts. Safety is a question of belief and interests. One thing, however, is sure: the Federal Court verdict is correct and logical. For there is no point in giving open-ended operation licences to nuclear power plants because they have to be constantly monitored and controlled. … Even if Mühleberg is closed immediately, the lights will not go out. Since 2009 central Europe has had an excess of electricity which has driven down prices on the European electricity market. This is why it makes sense to close the reactor in Mühleberg ahead of time, less for safety than for economic reasons."
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All available articles from » Hanspeter Guggenbühl
taz - Germany | Wednesday, 7. March 2012
The amount of electricity generated from brown coal went up by five percent in Germany last year. According to a report by the German Working Group on Energy Balances this means that together with the renewable energies coal is benefiting most from the decision to phase out nuclear power. But the real reason for this development is the crippling practice of emissions trading, the left-leaning daily taz points out: » more
The amount of electricity generated from brown coal went up by five percent in Germany last year. According to a report by the German Working Group on Energy Balances this means that together with the renewable energies coal is benefiting most from the decision to phase out nuclear power. But the real reason for this development is the crippling practice of emissions trading, the left-leaning daily taz points out: "Because this plus in coal-energy production is simply the result of a shift within the fossil fuels. … The energy sector has switched from more environmentally friendly resources like natural gas to the dirtiest source of energy the Earth has to offer: brown coal. For each tonne of carbon dioxide a power plant emits it currently pays between 7 and 9 euros - but only at prices above 25 euros per tonne do companies have enough incentive to opt for greener fuels. So anyone wanting to reduce the use of brown coal must start by taking action on emissions trading. There must be major cutbacks in the certificates that are issued in great quantities across Europe."
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Turun Sanomat - Finland | Tuesday, 14. February 2012
According to Finnish media reports, Russia wants to build its first final storage facility for low-level and medium-level radioactive waste, and also store small quantities of highly radioactive plutonium there. The facility is to be built 80 kilometres west of St. Petersburg at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in the town of Sosnovy Bor. The Finnish nuclear supervisory authority is relieved, but many questions remain unanswered, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat notes: » more
According to Finnish media reports, Russia wants to build its first final storage facility for low-level and medium-level radioactive waste, and also store small quantities of highly radioactive plutonium there. The facility is to be built 80 kilometres west of St. Petersburg at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in the town of Sosnovy Bor. The Finnish nuclear supervisory authority is relieved, but many questions remain unanswered, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat notes: "Both the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and the environmental organisation Green World, which participated in the environmental impact assessment, are far more sceptical. They would build the storage facility further from the Baltic coast and store all highly radioactive materials separately. The organisation's attitude testifies to distrust based on past experience. In the Soviet era the Russians authorities were negligent regarding nuclear controls, to say the least. This legacy is also seen in the fact that the question of the final storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste in Russia has still not been resolved, although the spent fuel pools at the nuclear power plant in Sosnovy Bor are almost full to overflowing."
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Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 8. February 2012
The Czech Republic is scrapping plans to build 18 new nuclear reactors by 2060 and will instead focus on expanding the Temelín nuclear power plant, the new Czech minister for economic affairs, Martin Kuba, announced during his first press conference on Tuesday. With the decision he distances himself from the plans of his predecessor Martin Kocourek, who resigned amidst allegations of dubious financial dealings. The business paper Hospodářské noviny goes even further: » more
The Czech Republic is scrapping plans to build 18 new nuclear reactors by 2060 and will instead focus on expanding the Temelín nuclear power plant, the new Czech minister for economic affairs, Martin Kuba, announced during his first press conference on Tuesday. With the decision he distances himself from the plans of his predecessor Martin Kocourek, who resigned amidst allegations of dubious financial dealings. The business paper Hospodářské noviny goes even further: "How much energy do we actually need? What does it mean that there will be less emphasis on nuclear power than planned? How will this affect energy prices? ... Kocourek was serious about building 18 new reactors without ever talking seriously about the costs. Never mind that the Czech Republic is a neighbour of Germany, which has just said goodbye to nuclear power, and Austria, which is allergic to anything nuclear in the Czech Republic. It's a disgrace that Kocourek was sacked from government only because of his financial dealings."
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Eesti Päevaleht - Estonia | Monday, 9. January 2012
Last year Germany announced it would phase out its nuclear power facilities. Estonia should follow suit and also revamp its energy production, the daily Eesti Päevaleht recommends: » more
Last year Germany announced it would phase out its nuclear power facilities. Estonia should follow suit and also revamp its energy production, the daily Eesti Päevaleht recommends: "Estonia is significantly better off than Germany in terms of wind energy, biomass and reservoir power stations, and fewer investments would be necessary to modernise the power grids. ... There is no social consensus on the energy transformation in Germany, because the change will produce both winners and losers. But one thing is clear: Germany cannot maintain its role as one of the leading industrial nations without radical changes in the energy supply. The rise of global demand means higher prices and greater dependence on imported energy. Added to that are the costs of combating the consequences of climate change. That's just a short list of the main reasons why Germany wouldn't remain competitive on its present course."
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Le Monde - France | Thursday, 5. January 2012
France's Nuclear Safety Authority presented its final report on French nuclear power plants on Wednesday, in which it calls for renovation work to cost 10 to 15 billion euros. The authority investigated the country's nuclear power plants following the disaster in Fukushima. In this light the debate about nuclear power must be revived, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: » more
France's Nuclear Safety Authority presented its final report on French nuclear power plants on Wednesday, in which it calls for renovation work to cost 10 to 15 billion euros. The authority investigated the country's nuclear power plants following the disaster in Fukushima. In this light the debate about nuclear power must be revived, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: "A new era is dawning. The debate over the real costs of nuclear power that had been put off for too long is once more on the table. ... Attitudes are shifting. In a document published in the autumn of 2011, the French Electricity Association, which represents firms working in the sector, put out a report listing the costs of the nuclear phaseout on the one hand, but also those of continuing with nuclear energy. Because the only sensible approach is to weigh up the two scenarios. Electricity costs, employment, the fight against greenhouse gases, energy dependency, alternative energies - everything is up for discussion."
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Blog Del alfiler al elefante - Spain | Wednesday, 28. December 2011
Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: » more
Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: "And so 2011 emulates and even surpasses the year 1989 in every respect. A revolutionary wave has shook the foundations of power and the alliances throughout the Arab world. The anticipated nuclear renaissance was drowned out by the tsunami and disaster in Fukushima. The generation of conformists spoiled by years of prosperity have turned into indignant activists and occupied the streets and squares of Spain and even the US, in a wave of protests we hadn't witnessed since 1968. Europe has reacted to the financial crisis but at the expense of leaving behind the British - a rupture of historical dimensions and the greatest in the turbulent history of the relations between the United Kingdom and the European continent since the UK joined in 1973."
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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Thursday, 10. November 2011
The International Energy Agency of the OECD on Wednesday called for a swift change in energy policy to prevent climate change from getting out of control. The agency was particularly critical of Germany's nuclear phaseout. The conservative daily Lidové noviny agrees: » more
The International Energy Agency of the OECD on Wednesday called for a swift change in energy policy to prevent climate change from getting out of control. The agency was particularly critical of Germany's nuclear phaseout. The conservative daily Lidové noviny agrees: "The rise in greenhouse gas emissions must stop by 2017, at the very latest, the agency said. Otherwise the rise in temperatures could not be maintained below two degrees Celsius. If China and other emerging economies continue to produce the levels of emissions they have done so far, we will have to adjust to a rise in temperature of six degrees. ... The agency essentially repeated what has been known for a long time now. The battle against nuclear and coal energy will at best lead to the imposition of quotas and daily power failures. It's time to accept the lesser evil: nuclear energy."
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Le Soir - Belgium | Tuesday, 1. November 2011
Belgium wants a nuclear phaseout by 2015. This was the agreement reached by Belgium's future governing coalition under Walloon Social Democrat Elio di Rupo on Sunday, upholding a law dating back to 2003. It's about time, the daily Le Soir writes, but remains sceptical about whether the phaseout will really happen: » more
Belgium wants a nuclear phaseout by 2015. This was the agreement reached by Belgium's future governing coalition under Walloon Social Democrat Elio di Rupo on Sunday, upholding a law dating back to 2003. It's about time, the daily Le Soir writes, but remains sceptical about whether the phaseout will really happen: "Great. Over 3,000 days after it was passed, the people learn that the law will be 'retained'. And what does it stipulate? Let's recap: the gradual shutting down (between 2015 and 2025) of the seven Belgian reactors, the first three in 2015. In four years Doel 1 and 2 and Tihange 1 will be taken off grid. Or not, as the case may be. ... The schedule could be altered depending on the results of a study - the umpteenth - which has yet to be carried out. ... The 'agreement' reached on Sunday evening reeks of political rhetoric and shaky compromises. After eight years, Belgium still doesn't know what it's energy policy will look like."
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Les Echos - France | Wednesday, 26. October 2011
Eva Joly, the presidential candidate of France's Green party, declared in an interview on Tuesday that a coalition with the Socialists would only be possible if they approved a nuclear phaseout in France along German lines. The business paper Les Echos argues that a phaseout would be impossible: » more
Eva Joly, the presidential candidate of France's Green party, declared in an interview on Tuesday that a coalition with the Socialists would only be possible if they approved a nuclear phaseout in France along German lines. The business paper Les Echos argues that a phaseout would be impossible: "Since the Fukushima disaster public acceptance of nuclear power in France has seen a marked decline and France's economic and political decision-makers seem concerned to see the German decision gain so much support in France and elsewhere. Nuclear power will indeed play an important role in the presidential campaign, now that the Socialist candidate François Hollande has promised a 50 percent reduction of nuclear power in the production of electricity. ... But even if France doesn't have the economic resources Germany has to effect such a turnaround, it would be wrong to disdain the choice of our historic ally. The two countries may complement each other, as demonstrated by the boom of French electricity exports to Germany."
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Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 14. September 2011
While Germany is saying farewell to nuclear energy the Czech Republic is planning to extend its use. The goal is for 80 percent of Czech electricity to be generated by nuclear power plants by 2060. The business paper Hospodářské noviny says Prague is heading in the wrong direction: » more
While Germany is saying farewell to nuclear energy the Czech Republic is planning to extend its use. The goal is for 80 percent of Czech electricity to be generated by nuclear power plants by 2060. The business paper Hospodářské noviny says Prague is heading in the wrong direction: "The German stance merits a much deeper discussion than we are conducting now. The Germans don't have a tradition of making irrational and populist economic decisions. ... Why does the Czech government support the construction of more nuclear plants and at the same time rely on the dividends of energy giant ČEZ? What makes the ČEZ management and the government so sure that this investment will pay off? ... ČEZ doesn't have to remain a source of financing for the state forever. In view of these expensive plans, the company could one day find itself dependent on help from the state."
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WOZ - Die Wochenzeitung - Switzerland | Thursday, 8. September 2011
The upper house of the Swiss parliament, the Council of States, rejected on Monday plans for a nuclear phaseout that had already been approved by the lower house, the National Council. The left-leaning daily WOZ hopes that the phaseout will come anyway: » more
The upper house of the Swiss parliament, the Council of States, rejected on Monday plans for a nuclear phaseout that had already been approved by the lower house, the National Council. The left-leaning daily WOZ hopes that the phaseout will come anyway: "We have nothing to work on because Swiss nuclear power plants don't have an expiry date. And without that they can go on operating as long as their safety is guaranteed. However it's hard be sure of their safety because with these plants you only know that something was no longer safe when it breaks. Like with sausages, which according to this principle would be left on the shelves until they have demonstrably gone bad. That would be environmentally friendly, after all a lot less food that is still edible would land in the bin. But it wouldn't be 'human-friendly' because food poisoning can be fatal. And nuclear meltdowns too. In Germany they have the phaseout because every nuclear power plant there has a clearly defined lifespan. That's a good thing because then you can make sensible preparations for when they go out of operation. Switzerland needs this type of phaseout."
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Expansión - Spain | Tuesday, 13. September 2011
An employee died on Monday when an incinerator for low-radiation waste exploded at the Marcoule nuclear facility in southern France. Although the authorities have signalled no radioactive leakage, anti-nuclear activists will use it as a cheap argument for a phaseout, the business paper Expansión fears: » more
An employee died on Monday when an incinerator for low-radiation waste exploded at the Marcoule nuclear facility in southern France. Although the authorities have signalled no radioactive leakage, anti-nuclear activists will use it as a cheap argument for a phaseout, the business paper Expansión fears: "The accident at the French Marcoule plant gave the opponents of nuclear energy new ammunition to point to the dangers and demand a nuclear phaseout. They did this knowing that their alarm calls will carry greater force after the episode at the Fukushima plant in Japan, both with the general public and with the politicians, who are afraid that supporting nuclear power could cost them votes. ... European politicians will be making a mistake if they use the incident to stoke up opposition to a source of energy that - whether we like it or not - ensures our energy supply and is economically viable."
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Bild - Germany | Thursday, 11. August 2011
Germany's largest energy company Eon is considering laying off of up to 11,000 workers worldwide. According to CEO Johannes Teyssen the planned nuclear phaseout has caused profits to fall, meaning the company must now tighten its belt. The conservative tabloid Bild writes that the government has failed to make it clear to citizens what the repercussions of the abrupt nuclear phaseout would be: » more
Germany's largest energy company Eon is considering laying off of up to 11,000 workers worldwide. According to CEO Johannes Teyssen the planned nuclear phaseout has caused profits to fall, meaning the company must now tighten its belt. The conservative tabloid Bild writes that the government has failed to make it clear to citizens what the repercussions of the abrupt nuclear phaseout would be: "The whole manoeuvre has a high price: 11,000 jobs are not chickenfeed - even if not all of the layoffs are due to the nuclear phaseout. But every loss hurts, and it remains unclear whether green energy will ever take up the slack. However one thing is for sure: consumers and businesses will have to pay the bill - 32 billion according to the latest study. Of course every era must come to an end, even the nuclear one. But the conservative-liberal coalition's knee-jerk phaseout from a high-technology sector will have bitter consequences for many thousands of families. Perhaps the politicians in the government did give this some thought. But if they did, they kept it to themselves."
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Blog A Europa desalinhada - Portugal | Thursday, 4. August 2011
The nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima has dampened interest in nuclear power in many countries. Since renewable energies can't cover energy requirements many countries are relying more heavily on coal again, observes Marco Zatterin in Blog A Europa desalinhada: » more
The nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima has dampened interest in nuclear power in many countries. Since renewable energies can't cover energy requirements many countries are relying more heavily on coal again, observes Marco Zatterin in Blog A Europa desalinhada: "Coal is making a comeback. During the Industrial Revolution it darkened thick layers of fog and inhabited the realist novels of Emile Zola and the nightmares of children from Wallonia to Sardinia who were sent into the depths of the earth. ... But with the Fukushima disaster history is repeating itself and is reviving a resource which Europe planned to stop using entirely in 50 years' time. Nations the world over are forging new plans. Under pressure from the public they are cancelling their nuclear programmes. And until renewable energies are properly cost-effective they are resorting to the black gold that may be considered outdated but still generates around half of our electricity today."
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The Irish Times - Ireland | Thursday, 21. July 2011
The Japanese premier Naoto Kan has recommended that his country phase out nuclear energy. This is likely to considerably shorten his time as prime minister, the liberal daily The Irish Times suspects: » more
The Japanese premier Naoto Kan has recommended that his country phase out nuclear energy. This is likely to considerably shorten his time as prime minister, the liberal daily The Irish Times suspects: "He has bowed to the popular mood and last week infuriated the nuclear industry lobby with a speech arguing that Japan should abandon plans to build 14 new reactors by 2030 and should gradually reduce dependence on nuclear power. He questioned whether private companies should be running atomic plants. 'Through my experience of the March 11th accident,' he said, 'I came to realise the risk of nuclear energy is too high ... We should eventually create a society where we can do without atomic energy.' It is a challenging policy for Japan, already facing widespread energy shortages because of the 'temporary' closure of 35 of its 54 reactors. Opposed within the government and outside by the politically influential nuclear lobby, the policy may well prove as short-lived as Mr Kan's own political career is likely to be."
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 14. July 2011
Approximately four months after the Fukushima reactor disaster Japanese Premier Naoto Kan has announced that the country will gradually phase out nuclear power. The move is mainly driven by political motives with an eye to the next elections, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung concludes: » more
Approximately four months after the Fukushima reactor disaster Japanese Premier Naoto Kan has announced that the country will gradually phase out nuclear power. The move is mainly driven by political motives with an eye to the next elections, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung concludes: "It can ... be safely said that without the March 11 disaster Kan would no longer be in office. So it's easy for him to talk of his new convictions on nuclear energy now. His message was mainly directed at his own party. So far the Democrats haven't made much of their landslide election victory in 2009. The nuclear energy issue could be a strong argument for them to use in the next election campaign. Naoto Kan's announcement is a dazzling trial balloon. Now his party just needs someone it considers good enough to send the message to the voters."
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e-vestnik - Bulgaria | Sunday, 26. June 2011
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has announced stress tests for two reactor blocks at the Kosloduj nuclear power plant that were shut down in 2007 as a prerequisite for Bulgaria's EU membership. The measure is intended to provide belated proof of their safety. The prime minister is behaving negligently, the online portal e-vestnik complains: » more
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has announced stress tests for two reactor blocks at the Kosloduj nuclear power plant that were shut down in 2007 as a prerequisite for Bulgaria's EU membership. The measure is intended to provide belated proof of their safety. The prime minister is behaving negligently, the online portal e-vestnik complains: "What does he hope to gain from this? To take revenge on Europe? These stress tests for inoperative reactor blocks are totally superfluous. Simply going by their construction they are unsafe because they lack protective domes. There is no fear of nuclear power in Bulgaria. And no one is taking any notice of the new safety standards introduced after the Fukushima accident that will make nuclear energy and the construction of new plants more expensive. Borisov is lying to the people by telling them that he will give them cheaper nuclear power and fanning fears of green electricity, saying it is expensive and therefore detrimental. Bulgaria has a prime minister who is a declared enemy of the environment."
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WOZ - Die Wochenzeitung - Switzerland | Thursday, 23. June 2011
The social democratic mayor of Bern had a camp set up by anti-nuclear protesters outside the main offices of the nuclear energy company BKW cleared by police on Monday night. This is a betrayal, writes the leftist daily WOZ: » more
The social democratic mayor of Bern had a camp set up by anti-nuclear protesters outside the main offices of the nuclear energy company BKW cleared by police on Monday night. This is a betrayal, writes the leftist daily WOZ: "You can't please everyone! You have to decide who you want to please. Make it clear who you side with. Those who see people squatting in a camp as an unacceptable affront to law and order ('And if I so much as park my car in the wrong place ... ', 'Who's paying for all this, anyway?') or with those who for weeks have been dealing with the phenomenon of the nuclear industry both at an activist level and in terms of content and have achieved what those who hold posts like yours have never achieved: the political mobilisation of the youth. Now fifteen-, sixteen- and seventeen-year-old youths are marching through Bern's streets shouting: "Who has betrayed us? The Social Democrats!' And don't think they'll have forgotten all this by tomorrow."
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El País - Spain | Wednesday, 22. June 2011
With their nuclear phase-out the Germans are securing an advantage on the global market for future technologies, sociologist Ulrich Beck explains in the left-liberal daily El País: » more
With their nuclear phase-out the Germans are securing an advantage on the global market for future technologies, sociologist Ulrich Beck explains in the left-liberal daily El País: "After Chernobyl and Fukushima, anyone who claims that nuclear power plants - be they French, British, American, Chinese or whatever - are safe is overlooking the fact that from an empirical point of view the opposite conclusion must be drawn: only one thing is for sure, the next large-scale accident. ... Can the nuclear exit be put down to a panic reaction? No. It's not the Germans' fear. It's the economy, stupid! Nuclear energy will grow more and more expensive in the long term, while renewable energies become cheaper. The Germans are driven by a cunning fear. They have sniffed out the economic possibilities of the global market of the future. In German, the energy turnaround is a synonym for new jobs. A cynic might say: let the others go on proudly fearless - this will end in economic stagnation and failed investments. The defenders of nuclear power are blocking their own path to the future markets by not investing in energy-saving products and renewable energies or 'green' universities, careers and research institutes."
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Lietuvos rytas - Lithuania | Monday, 20. June 2011
The Lithuanian government has once more commenced negotiations with investors for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The daily Lietuvos Rytas distrusts the project: » more
The Lithuanian government has once more commenced negotiations with investors for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The daily Lietuvos Rytas distrusts the project: "For one reason or another this project is always considered the basis of Lithuania's energy independence. But this does not necessarily require a new nuclear plant or another power source. It would be far better for our country to overcome its energy policy isolation within the European Union. To do that priority should be given to extending power lines to Sweden and Poland. Because what would the construction of a new nuclear power plant actually mean for Lithuania? Firstly it would be a commercial project aimed at using the existing infrastructure available at Ignalina. But such an investment would be anything but run-of-the-mill, not just because of the costs running into the billions. A new nuclear power plant would have repercussions on the entire Lithuanian economy. For such a project it would be necessary to know beforehand how electricity prices will develop because otherwise competition will be hindered on the electricity supply market."
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Berliner Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 17. June 2011
The Debt crisis in Greece, nuclear power, E. coli - why are the Germans afraid of just about everything that comes their way? trend researcher Matthias Horx asks in the left-liberal daily Berliner Zeitung, giving two answers: » more
The Debt crisis in Greece, nuclear power, E. coli - why are the Germans afraid of just about everything that comes their way? trend researcher Matthias Horx asks in the left-liberal daily Berliner Zeitung, giving two answers: "Children who were traumatised in their childhood by violence or abuse, as epigenetic researchers tell us, can in fact pass on their propensity for fear to their descendants. ... Millions of Germans who had to flee their homes or were witness to social collapse, the loss of possessions and war have passed these fears on to their children, and now these fears are bound up with current phenomena. Greece is Weimar [synonym for the failed democracy prior to the Nazi dictatorship]. ... Nevertheless, no one has yet given the simplest answer. ... Those who are afraid enjoy privileges. They can never be wrong because if things don't turn out as bad as feared, it's because they were so good at sending out the warning signal. Fear ennobles. Fear authorises. Those who are afraid relieve themselves of responsibility. The anthropologists tell of the shaman phenomenon whereby the 'doom-sayers' have always had the best huts and the best meat. Or in our society it's simply that this childish regression pays off. With broadcast time, attention and the comforting feeling of sharing the same fate."
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Svobodata - Bulgaria | Wednesday, 15. June 2011
A report by Russian scientists currently under discussion in the Russian State Council underscores the grave inadequacies of earthquake protection measures in Russian nuclear power plants. Edvin Sugarev voices concern in the daily Svobodata since Bulgaria is going ahead with the construction of a Russian-type nuclear plant in an earthquake zone near the town of Belene on the Danube: » more
A report by Russian scientists currently under discussion in the Russian State Council underscores the grave inadequacies of earthquake protection measures in Russian nuclear power plants. Edvin Sugarev voices concern in the daily Svobodata since Bulgaria is going ahead with the construction of a Russian-type nuclear plant in an earthquake zone near the town of Belene on the Danube: "The risks inherent in building a second nuclear plant in Belene were recognised as early as 1991 by experts of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and played a large part in having the project put on ice. ... The fact that the nuclear power plant will now be built on this very spot despite the risks is cynical, to put it mildly. One need only think of the 1977 earthquake in the city of Svishtov just a few kilometres away, which toppled a nine-story apartment building and claimed hundreds of lives. ... But people like [energy oligarch] Manchev and the KGB insiders couldn't care less about such concerns. Bulgaria's energy sector is so firmly under their control that no government has been able to have a say on it in the entire transition period."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 16. June 2011
Italy, Germany and Switzerland have turned their backs on nuclear power while other countries are talking about phasing it out and delaying the construction of new nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy has no future in democracies and free market economies, concludes columnist Karl-Heinz Büschemann in the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
Italy, Germany and Switzerland have turned their backs on nuclear power while other countries are talking about phasing it out and delaying the construction of new nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy has no future in democracies and free market economies, concludes columnist Karl-Heinz Büschemann in the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: "It's conspicuous that it is mainly the countries with dictatorships or pseudo-democracies that are building new nuclear plants. China, the biggest consumer of energy in the future, is currently working on 27 reactors, while Russia is building eleven new plants. In these countries the state is clearly in charge of the energy sector. Resistance from the people is unlikely. ... In the UK, where Prime Minister Tony Blair promised a series of new reactors back in 2006, there are still no new projects today. In the US, where the last nuclear power plant went into operation in 1973, President George W. Bush called for the expansion of nuclear energy in 2001, but only one plant is currently under construction. ... Cheap and clean nuclear power was a dream of mankind after the Second World War, but it hasn't come true."
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All available articles from » Karl-Heinz Büschemann
El País - Spain | Tuesday, 14. June 2011
The referendum against three projects backed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi highlights the enormous discrepancies between him and the people, writes the left liberal daily El País: » more
The referendum against three projects backed by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi highlights the enormous discrepancies between him and the people, writes the left liberal daily El País: "The prime minister betting on nuclear energy has been crucial to the decision of the Italians. A Berlusconi in decline was the worst possible advertiser for a cause that after Fukushima is once again highly controversial. The other two questions referring to the water management have also resulted in a defeat for the government. Every time Berlusconi talks of privatisation the Italians think he's opening up a new field for corruption. As well as sending an unequivocal political message the Italians have spoken out in favour of renewable energy."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Friday, 10. June 2011
In a referendum next Sunday, the Italians will vote on Silvio Berlusconi's plans to reintroduce nuclear energy in the country. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica is therefore glad that Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out against nuclear energy at an audience with several new ambassadors: » more
In a referendum next Sunday, the Italians will vote on Silvio Berlusconi's plans to reintroduce nuclear energy in the country. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica is therefore glad that Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out against nuclear energy at an audience with several new ambassadors: "It unexpectedly became an occasion for the Pope to reflect on the disasters that have hit 'nature, technology and peoples' in the past six months. In his warning Ratzinger avoided the apocalyptic tones of a certain conservative culture that interprets the Tsunami in Japan as 'God's punishment'. He calls for responsible action, and this highlights above all his calls for the clean energy he prefers to preserve nature's integrity and not endanger mankind's survival on this planet. According to Benedict XVI, disasters must become an instrument of shifts in political thinking, a radical revision of models for development and new lifestyles."
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All available articles from » Giancarlo Zizola
Tages-Anzeiger - Switzerland | Thursday, 9. June 2011
Switzerland's National Council approved a gradual phase-out of nuclear power on Wednesday. But according to the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger, the decision is not based on true conviction: » more
Switzerland's National Council approved a gradual phase-out of nuclear power on Wednesday. But according to the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger, the decision is not based on true conviction: "No matter how anti-nuclear many politicians claim to be nowadays, they don't want a full phase-out. The National Council has merely decided that Switzerland will refrain from building a new nuclear power plant, which since Fukushima was a fantasy anyway. The Council wants to keep the five existing nuclear plants in operation for as long as technically possible. ... No matter how many promises politicians make these days and no matter how often they repeat that the decision to withdraw is 'historic', we should only believe them once they resolutely push for alternatives to nuclear power. So all the talk about a phase-out will only get serious when the Bundesrat puts forward its proposals for a new energy policy in 2012, and the parliament votes on them. Until then it's all just empty banter."
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All available articles from » Patrick Feuz
Ekonomika - Lithuania | Thursday, 9. June 2011
The Lithuanian government has announced that it is seeking new investors for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The business paper Ekonomika warns against overoptimism: » more
The Lithuanian government has announced that it is seeking new investors for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The business paper Ekonomika warns against overoptimism: "The plan is important, but more important are the conditions under which it is executed. A project that is carried out irresponsibly has long-term repercussions and entails substantial financial obligations. Given the dimensions of the project the position that a new nuclear plant must be built at any cost is irresponsible and short-sighted. The financing and construction of such a power plant are doubtless complicated processes right from the outset. And a nuclear power plant is not operated in a vacuum. The electricity it generates must be sold, and this means that buyers must be found. For that to happen the electricity must be cheaper than that of other suppliers. If not there will be protests and people will ask why the plant is at all necessary."
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All available articles from » Žilvinas Šilenas
Le Figaro - France | Tuesday, 7. June 2011
The German government passed the law on the country's nuclear phase-out in 2022 on Monday. They'll live to regret it, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more
The German government passed the law on the country's nuclear phase-out in 2022 on Monday. They'll live to regret it, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "In general, a complete stop to nuclear power means reshuffling the entire energy deck. Two years ago, the energy study published by the consulting firm Capgemini estimated the investment necessary to meet energy consumption needs until 2030 at a trillion euros. This figure still holds, but would rise far faster with a widepread shutdown of nuclear facilities. Considering such factors as the rise in energy costs, greater energy dependency and the menace to environmental goals, the end of nuclear power which is currently so fashionable will rapidly become a headache, even for environmentalists."
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All available articles from » Frédéric de Monicault
Népszabadság - Hungary | Wednesday, 1. June 2011
Germany's conservative-liberal government has resolved to phase out nuclear power by 2022. The move opens the way for a coalition between the conservative CDU and the Greens, writes the left-liberal daily Népszabadság: » more
Germany's conservative-liberal government has resolved to phase out nuclear power by 2022. The move opens the way for a coalition between the conservative CDU and the Greens, writes the left-liberal daily Népszabadság: "Germany's next parliamentary elections take place in 2013, and Angela Merkel is bent on winning again. ... But to do that she'll need a third coalition partner. Her present junior partner, the liberal FDP, is at a low in the polls. The grand coalition with the Social Democrats functioned well but no one's shedding a tear over it now. That leaves the Greens, whose results in the polls have reached almost 20 percent in recent months. People used to call the CDU and the Greens 'arch enemies', and they themselves tend to cast each other as squares and hippies respectively. Merkel's political gesture shows she not only understands the voters' wish to turn their backs on nuclear energy after Fukushima, she has also removed the greatest obstacle to cooperation between the two parties."
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All available articles from » Edit Inotai
Svobodata - Bulgaria | Tuesday, 31. May 2011
While Germany and other European countries are planning to phase out nuclear power Bulgaria plans to build a Russian-style nuclear power plant it doesn't even need in Belene, writes Edvin Sugarev on the opinion portal Svobodata: » more
While Germany and other European countries are planning to phase out nuclear power Bulgaria plans to build a Russian-style nuclear power plant it doesn't even need in Belene, writes Edvin Sugarev on the opinion portal Svobodata: "Bulgaria is by far the EU country with the highest consumption of energy compared to its productivity. Introducing energy-saving technologies would therefore solve all the current energy problems. In this context it's strange that despite the Fukushima tragedy the poorest country in the EU is getting ready to build a nuclear reactor that will cost at least ten billion euros. A reactor that is totally superfluous for the local market and the energy from which is destined for export without there being any concrete market for it. A reactor that several generations of consumers will have to pay for with higher electricity bills. A reactor that will generate plenty of roubles for a few select energy Mafiosi but will make Bulgaria's energy policy entirely dependent on Moscow."
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Blog Géopolitique - France | Tuesday, 31. May 2011
Germany's nuclear phase-out is a hypocritical election tactic that will weaken Europe, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: » more
Germany's nuclear phase-out is a hypocritical election tactic that will weaken Europe, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: "Faced with the collapse of her coalition partners, the liberal FDP, Angela Merkel is counting on an alliance with the Greens. This political equation will have repercussions across Europe. Our continent will abandon its independence in energy policy for a long time. We will become even more dependent on Russia and its natural gas. France, for its part, will export even more electricity. The pinnacle of hypocrisy is that our nuclear plants will provide light and heat to the German ecologists. The reduction of greenhouse gases, meanwhile, has been relegated to the back burner."
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All available articles from » Pierre Rousselin
Aftonbladet - Sweden | Tuesday, 31. May 2011
With its plans for a nuclear phase-out Germany has assumed the leading role it deserves in Europe at least as far as energy issues are concerned, writes the left-leaning tabloid Aftonbladet: » more
With its plans for a nuclear phase-out Germany has assumed the leading role it deserves in Europe at least as far as energy issues are concerned, writes the left-leaning tabloid Aftonbladet: "Germany is the fourth-largest industrial nation in the world, Europe's biggest economy, and it has now decided to lead the way. Yesterday's decision represents an unparalleled advance for renewable energies and energy efficiency. The Financial Times writes that the German nuclear phase-out will spark a European boom in the use of renewable energies and energy conservation. ... The change will require massive investments but will also lead to high electricity prices. For that reason energy efficiency will take on a key role. Studies show Germany can reduce its energy costs by 10 to 20 percent by raising efficiency. ... In the recent past Germany has increasingly adopted a wait-and-see stance and declined to take on the leadership role that Europe expects of its strongest player. Now the country has done just that on energy issues."
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De Tijd - Belgium | Tuesday, 31. May 2011
Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power is legitimate but poses a challenge for the economy, writes the business paper De Tijd: » more
Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power is legitimate but poses a challenge for the economy, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The Fukushima accident has shown that nuclear energy is never 100 percent safe. Stress tests can at best only reduce the risk of nuclear disasters, but never rule them out entirely. The German people are entitled to decide that they're not willing to take the risk. But the country must then accept the consequences. It will be a great challenge to secure energy supplies at acceptable prices without weakening the competitiveness of German companies. The decision to effect a complete nuclear withdrawal by 2022 offers the advantage of a clear goal. This could provide the renewable energies sector and the search for technologies to make conventional power plants more environmentally friendly with an enormous stimulus. If Germany is successful it could gain an advantage over other countries."
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All available articles from » Stefaan Michielsen
Polityka - Poland | Tuesday, 31. May 2011
Although a bold step, Germany's nuclear phase-out by 2022 is made feasible by its innovative business environment, writes the online edition of the news magazine Polityka: » more
Although a bold step, Germany's nuclear phase-out by 2022 is made feasible by its innovative business environment, writes the online edition of the news magazine Polityka: "Germany has decided to end the nuclear era within its borders - although it has built 17 power plants that cover 23 percent of its power needs. It has had the courage to take this giant step, yet the question remains: how to go on? The goal is clear and has incidentally long been charted: with green energy. Is that possible? It looks as though in Germany's case it is. Germany is already Europe's undisputed market leader in the use of renewable energy sources."
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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Thursday, 26. May 2011
The Swiss government on Wednesday decided in favour of a gradual nuclear phase-out. The country's five existing nuclear power plants are to be taken off the grid at the end of their operating times. A premature decision, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: » more
The Swiss government on Wednesday decided in favour of a gradual nuclear phase-out. The country's five existing nuclear power plants are to be taken off the grid at the end of their operating times. A premature decision, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: "The prospect of more environmentally damaging energy sources and importing French nuclear power if our energy needs can't be covered at an affordable price is not very attractive. ... The objective is to switch the Swiss energy system to renewable and safe energy sources. ... This is an intelligent goal. But setting deadlines and procedures and ruling out the possibility that the technology that is advancing at a lightning pace today might also produce new solutions in the area of nuclear energy in the next two decades doesn't exactly testify to farsightedness."
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All available articles from » Moreno Bernasconi
Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic | Thursday, 26. May 2011
Political indicators in Germany increasingly point to an early nuclear phase-out. This will be expensive for its neighbours, the left-liberal daily Mladá fronta dnes complains: » more
Political indicators in Germany increasingly point to an early nuclear phase-out. This will be expensive for its neighbours, the left-liberal daily Mladá fronta dnes complains: "The Czechs will quickly feel the repercussions, and the development of alternative energy sources will have serious consequences. These alternative sources already heavily destabilise power supply lines in Europe. To prevent the power grids from collapsing altogether neighbouring states will have to invest billions in their power lines, and that will raise energy prices. ... In addition it is one hundred percent certain that Europe's dependence on natural gas imports will grow. Gazprom has already announced price hikes from the current 350 dollars to 500 dollars for 1,000 cubic metres. And with this rise in energy prices the competitiveness of European industry will sink. And let's not forget, the nuclear industry is the only sector in the world that systematically analyses all disasters and regularly updates the regulations for operating nuclear plants. In the chemical industry, which is just as dangerous, there is nothing of the sort."
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All available articles from » Pavel Paral
Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 23. May 2011
German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed at the weekend that Germany plans to dispense with nuclear power entirely in ten years. At the same time it's still unclear what exactly the stress tests for European nuclear power plants put on the agenda after the Fukushima accident will look like. The business daily Hospodářské noviny sees all this as very questionable: » more
German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed at the weekend that Germany plans to dispense with nuclear power entirely in ten years. At the same time it's still unclear what exactly the stress tests for European nuclear power plants put on the agenda after the Fukushima accident will look like. The business daily Hospodářské noviny sees all this as very questionable: "Do tests exist that can uncover and eliminate all possible dangers? At the end of the day security is always a compromise between what is technically and humanly possible and what is financially viable. This raises the question of to what extent the current opposition to nuclear energy is just short-term political agitation and to what extent it's a long-term political strategy. If Europe wants to live without nuclear energy then it should make the decision only once it knows how it's going to replace that energy. Attempts to do this with renewable energies are proving just as hopeless as a return to coal."
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All available articles from » Julie Hrstková
taz - Germany | Wednesday, 18. May 2011
According to a report by the Reactor Safety Committee (RSC), none of the 17 Germany nuclear power plants comply with the high safety standards forming the basis of the stress tests performed after the Japanese nuclear disaster at Fukushima. The report will mainly serve the purposes of the nuclear lobby, fears the left-leaning daily tageszeitung: » more
According to a report by the Reactor Safety Committee (RSC), none of the 17 Germany nuclear power plants comply with the high safety standards forming the basis of the stress tests performed after the Japanese nuclear disaster at Fukushima. The report will mainly serve the purposes of the nuclear lobby, fears the left-leaning daily tageszeitung: "The authors themselves admit that the time schedule was too tight and the data insufficient for a detailed analysis of which nuclear plants are unsafe. So the conclusions of the report are correspondingly vague - nothing new. That most German nuclear power plants are either not at all or too little protected against plane crashes has been common knowledge for a long time. Fukushima didn't change that one bit. ... But despite the shortcomings the RSC does describe the German plants as 'highly robust'. So should Germany phase out nuclear so quickly? The danger that the pro-nuclear lobby will use this hastily composed report for its own purposes is obvious."
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All available articles from » Stefan Reinecke
Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Friday, 6. May 2011
The Swiss Nuclear Safety Inspectorate on Thursday presented the results of its investigations on the country's nuclear power plants, and called for additional security measures. But there's no reason for a nuclear phaseout, which wouldn't achieve anything in Switzerland, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: » more
The Swiss Nuclear Safety Inspectorate on Thursday presented the results of its investigations on the country's nuclear power plants, and called for additional security measures. But there's no reason for a nuclear phaseout, which wouldn't achieve anything in Switzerland, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: "Two French nuclear plants lie just a stone's throw from our border. A catastrophe there would have devastating consequences for the Swiss population. Consequently a decision to phase out nuclear energy would have to be taken not only by Switzerland but by all of Europe, and be the subject of joint discussions. ... Calls for nuclear phaseout are basically ideological, and largely reflect the widespread fears after the events in Japan. Phasing out nuclear energy here would just make us dependent on nuclear power or gas from other countries, and would wreak havoc on our economy and prosperity to boot. It is doubtful that such a move reflects the wishes of the majority of Swiss citizens."
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All available articles from » Moreno Bernasconi
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 26. April 2011
Despite the Chernobyl catastrophe 25 years ago and the most recent nuclear disaster in Fukushima the conservative daily Lidové noviny says there's no point in getting hysterical: » more
Despite the Chernobyl catastrophe 25 years ago and the most recent nuclear disaster in Fukushima the conservative daily Lidové noviny says there's no point in getting hysterical: "The first fears after Chernobyl that hundreds of thousands would die never became reality. No one can claim that the area is idyllic today but nature regenerated quickly. ... Today's reactors are much safer. Yet we still can't be satisfied. We still know too little from serious sources about the accident at Fukushima to draw any conclusions. But there are studies about how many people die from the emissions from coal-fired power plants and how many miners die each year in the mines. These numbers simply lack the spectacular backdrop of a damaged reactor. Road traffic kills many more people each year that nuclear accidents do. Perhaps the anti-nuclear activists would be better off fighting for a ban on cars."
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All available articles from » Martin Zvěřina
Karjalainen - Finland | Tuesday, 26. April 2011
On the 25th anniversary of the nuclear catastrophe in Chernobyl, the liberal daily Karjalainen complains of the world's continued dependence on atomic power and calls for the development of alternative energy sources: » more
On the 25th anniversary of the nuclear catastrophe in Chernobyl, the liberal daily Karjalainen complains of the world's continued dependence on atomic power and calls for the development of alternative energy sources: "The Chernobyl disaster was the consequence of a failed experiment. ... After the accident the world was assured that similar accidents could be avoided with the aid of new reactor types, stricter safety requirements and better controls. ... But as the disaster at Fukushima has shown, not all accidents can be prevented. ... Nevertheless for now we cannot dispense with nuclear energy altogether, because the other energy sources at our disposal do not cover the world's energy needs. ... The development of new and safer forms of energy production continues to be a priority."
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Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy | Wednesday, 20. April 2011
The Italian government on Thursday decided to shelve plans for a return to nuclear power for the time being. A moratorium on the plans had already been declared at the end of March. The country lacks a clear energy policy, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore writes: » more
The Italian government on Thursday decided to shelve plans for a return to nuclear power for the time being. A moratorium on the plans had already been declared at the end of March. The country lacks a clear energy policy, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore writes: "Until yesterday reintroducing nuclear energy after it was renounced in 1987 … was a clear goal as an admission of political and technological guilt. Today it is a goal that the government will give up, or at least postpone, for the sake of a referendum that was triggered by Fukushima. ... This understandable opportunism and political caution can be easily explained by the upcoming local elections in May. ... There is no sign whatsoever of scientific debate or serious programmatic planning. This is Italy, the country where there simply is no energy policy."
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All available articles from » Federico Rendina
Libération - France | Monday, 18. April 2011
The head of the company operating the damaged nuclear reactor in Fukushima announced on the weekend that it will take another three months to ensure the adequate cooling of the reactors and the storage pool on site. The left-liberal daily Libération writes that it will be a lot longer before the world can fully turn its back on nuclear energy: » more
The head of the company operating the damaged nuclear reactor in Fukushima announced on the weekend that it will take another three months to ensure the adequate cooling of the reactors and the storage pool on site. The left-liberal daily Libération writes that it will be a lot longer before the world can fully turn its back on nuclear energy: "There is no end to the drama, the emergency lags on. The feeling of abandonment will never have been so strong among the survivors in the region and the 80,000 displaced persons who still don't know if they'll ever be able to go back home. ... The countdown concerns not only the Japanese, but also all the major powers. Serious researchers confirm it will take at least three or four decades to come up with a realistic alternative to nuclear energy. So no one has put nuclear technology behind them yet, or Fukushima and its devastating consequences either, for that matter."
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All available articles from » Vincent Giret
Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung - Germany | Sunday, 17. April 2011
Last week German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the premiers of the federal states to discuss a complete nuclear phaseout in Germany. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung compares the debate with that over the social reforms implemented by Merkel's predecessor Gerhard Schröder: » more
Last week German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the premiers of the federal states to discuss a complete nuclear phaseout in Germany. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung compares the debate with that over the social reforms implemented by Merkel's predecessor Gerhard Schröder: "In the late years of Helmut Kohl's chancellorship, the abstract desire for a restructuring of the social welfare state was almost as uncontested as the energy transition is today. The protests only started when it took on concrete form under Gerhard Schröder and the questionnaires started circulating among those in need. Things will be no different when bulldozers start arriving to build embankment dams, the price of electricity soars and light bulbs start to flicker. In this respect there is no difference between the energy reform and all those that went before it. ... Progress will always come at a snail's pace."
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All available articles from » Ralph Bollmann
Kansan Uutiset - Finland | Wednesday, 13. April 2011
The Japanese Atomic Energy Agency has raised the accident at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant to the highest level on the international scale for measuring nuclear accidents, putting it on a par with Chernobyl. And the true scale of the disaster is still unclear, writes the leftist weekly Kansan Uutiset in its Internet edition: » more
The Japanese Atomic Energy Agency has raised the accident at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant to the highest level on the international scale for measuring nuclear accidents, putting it on a par with Chernobyl. And the true scale of the disaster is still unclear, writes the leftist weekly Kansan Uutiset in its Internet edition: "In Fukushima what should never have happened actually did happen. ... The damaged nuclear plant will go on emitting radiation for years to come. Even though much is being done at the site to contain the problem, a full picture of the true extent of the catastrophe has yet to emerge. The operator Tepco, for its part, has warned that radiation levels could still rise even higher than those following the Chernobyl disaster. It is also worrying that the emergency crews have still not got the situation in the damaged reactors at Fukushima fully under control - unfortunately."
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Le Quotidien - Luxembourg | Wednesday, 6. April 2011
The nuclear disaster in Japan has given the environmental movement in Luxembourg fresh impetus, writes the daily Le Quotidien, noting that companies now recognise the advantages of sustainable development: » more
The nuclear disaster in Japan has given the environmental movement in Luxembourg fresh impetus, writes the daily Le Quotidien, noting that companies now recognise the advantages of sustainable development: "Environmental activists are not just bang on trend but also have economic arguments in their favour now. This has businesses listening to them. For a long time people saw the environmentalists as a group of enlightened prepared to do anything to save our planet. Today anyone who combines the saving of the Earth with economic interests is demonstrating a certain pragmatism. The demands of environmentalists that we radically change our excessive consumer habits and give up our wasteful lifestyles no longer seem so unreasonable in this light. ... Sometimes it doesn't take much to turn a profit without harming the environment. At a global level this is no doubt more complicated, but the awareness is already there."
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All available articles from » Audrey Somnard
Eesti Päevaleht - Estonia | Wednesday, 6. April 2011
In view of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the daily Eesti Päevaleht writes that plans for the construction of a nuclear power plant should be abandoned: » more
In view of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the daily Eesti Päevaleht writes that plans for the construction of a nuclear power plant should be abandoned: "The graves of the Japanese workers who died from radiation are still fresh, the malformed children are not yet born, and already calls are being voiced for the construction of a nuclear power plant. Why? After all we have enough energy: We have access to oil shale deposits, our forests are still growing and we have managed without nuclear power so far. ... How many days was Estonia without electricity in the past fifty years? That said, a day without electricity would not be such a bad thing, even perhaps a welcome rest. Humanity has accomplished many major works with nothing more than sunlight and candle-light. But without cleverness even the best paper and electric light are of no avail. However while a large country might be able to cope with the death of a million people and the contamination of large parts of its territory, small Estonia cannot afford to take this risk because one mistake would wipe the entire nation from the face of the earth."
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All available articles from » Erik Arro
Delo - Slovenia | Wednesday, 6. April 2011
The Japanese disaster provides the chance to convince the world once and for all of the dangers of nuclear energy, writes Benjamin K. Sovacool, political scientist and author of the book Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power, in a commentary for the daily Delo: » more
The Japanese disaster provides the chance to convince the world once and for all of the dangers of nuclear energy, writes Benjamin K. Sovacool, political scientist and author of the book Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power, in a commentary for the daily Delo: "Japan's nuclear crisis is a nightmare, but it is not an anomaly. In fact, it is only the latest in a long line of nuclear accidents involving meltdowns, explosions, fires, and loss of coolant - accidents that have occurred during both normal operation and emergency conditions, such as droughts and earthquakes. ... Advocates of nuclear energy have made considerable political headway around the world in recent years, touting it as a safe, clean, and reliable alternative to fossil fuels. But the historical record clearly shows otherwise. Perhaps the unfolding tragedy in Japan will finally be enough to stop the nuclear renaissance from materializing."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 6. April 2011
According to Germany's Federal Network Agency, if it were to shut down seven of its nuclear power plants for good Germany would have to import nuclear energy amounting to the capacity of three nuclear plants from neighbouring countries like France and the Czech Republic. Now politics must give industry incentives to innovate and tackle the energy transition, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
According to Germany's Federal Network Agency, if it were to shut down seven of its nuclear power plants for good Germany would have to import nuclear energy amounting to the capacity of three nuclear plants from neighbouring countries like France and the Czech Republic. Now politics must give industry incentives to innovate and tackle the energy transition, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "A country that is damned to progress by its nuclear phaseout could also become a model for political creativity. Because it will be difficult to make people swallow rising energy costs, encroachments on the environment and investments the benefits of which would perhaps only become apparent in 20 years' time. Support mechanisms, mediation processes, incentives and much more must be developed to encourage people to go along with the energy transition. For years the Germans have seen themselves as champions at exporting. Now they can lay claim to being the best exporters of green ideas."
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All available articles from » Alexandra Borchardt
De Standaard - Belgium | Tuesday, 5. April 2011
In view of the Japanese nuclear accident, several television stations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have refrained from broadcasting episodes of the satirical cartoon series The Simpsons which feature a nuclear disaster. That is wrong, writes the chairman of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, Bart de Wever in his column for the daily De Standard: » more
In view of the Japanese nuclear accident, several television stations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have refrained from broadcasting episodes of the satirical cartoon series The Simpsons which feature a nuclear disaster. That is wrong, writes the chairman of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, Bart de Wever in his column for the daily De Standard: "Perhaps for the German public sphere The Simpsons and Fukushima ... lie too close to the border between comedy and tragedy. The idea that the Japanese reactor could be managed with impunity by people who are more like Homer Simpson and Monty Burns than we would have thought possible is painful indeed. We prefer to see the tragedy of the courageous Japanese, and their superhuman fight against a fate which was cause not by humans but the hand of God. When fear rules, laughter must give way."
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All available articles from » Bart De Wever
Vilniaus diena - Lithuania | Tuesday, 5. April 2011
Doubts about the use of nuclear energy are growing in Lithuania. The daily Vilniaus Diena is not surprised: » more
Doubts about the use of nuclear energy are growing in Lithuania. The daily Vilniaus Diena is not surprised: "A survey shows that the worrying events at the Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant have made an impact. Whereas until recently the number of proponents and detractors was roughly equal, now nine out of ten Lithuanians don't want a new nuclear power station to be built in their country. The fear of radioactive contamination in the event of a disaster has displaced the desire for energy independence. At the same time other surveys show that the Lithuanians reject Russian and Belarusian plans to build nuclear power plants directly on their borders. ... Moscow and Minsk however will hardly be deterred by this negative stance, considering that they pay little attention to public opinion in their own countries."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Lithuania, » Russia, » Belarus
All available articles from » Stasys Gudavičius
Financial Times Deutschland - Germany | Tuesday, 5. April 2011
Tepco power company, operator of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, has dumped 10,000 tons of radioactive water into the Pacific. As a nuclear disaster always has international repercussions, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be granted more competences, writes the liberal daily Financial Times Deutschland: » more
Tepco power company, operator of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, has dumped 10,000 tons of radioactive water into the Pacific. As a nuclear disaster always has international repercussions, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be granted more competences, writes the liberal daily Financial Times Deutschland: "At present the Agency may only become active at the explicit request of the affected state, and its safety standards are non-binding. This lack of supervision is disproportional to the damage that a nuclear accident may wreak internationally - like the contamination of the environment or the disruption of the economy resulting from the interruption of supply chains. For this reason the G20 states and the EU must set a good example and make safety standards binding. Moreover the IAEA must be granted additional rights. It should be able to intervene and exert control as soon as an accident takes place, without waiting to be invited. Now that the shock of Fukushima has roused international public opinion the time is ripe to put atomic energy supervision where it belongs: on an international level."
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Welt am Sonntag - Germany | Sunday, 27. March 2011
More than 200,000 protesters marched against nuclear power in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich on Saturday. Nowhere in Europe is the movement as strong as in Germany, the conservative Sunday paper Welt am Sonntag writes, showing understanding for the protesters' motives: » more
More than 200,000 protesters marched against nuclear power in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich on Saturday. Nowhere in Europe is the movement as strong as in Germany, the conservative Sunday paper Welt am Sonntag writes, showing understanding for the protesters' motives: "Criticism of nuclear energy is not irrational. On the contrary, at the very latest since Chernobyl it has been well-founded. In many places the protest marches looked more like happy family outings than the sort of grim battle lines that once formed in places like Brokdorf or Gorleben. The ageing baby boomers have had to reorient their lives twice already: after November 9, 1989 and after September 11, 2001, and anti-nuclear protest seems to be one of the few political constants over the years. ... The wish for security is not only about crime and the peaceful coexistence of immigrants and locals - but also about nature and the environment."
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All available articles from » Claus Christian Malzahn
Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Thursday, 24. March 2011
The nuclear disaster in Japan has triggered a debate about the future of nuclear power in several European countries. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung points out that renewable energies also have their price, even if it can't always be translated into precise figures: » more
The nuclear disaster in Japan has triggered a debate about the future of nuclear power in several European countries. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung points out that renewable energies also have their price, even if it can't always be translated into precise figures: "By pure force of habit we tend to set greater store by values that can be quantified. Today, at a time when all nature's assets are in danger, even if they can't be quantified or labelled with a price tag, it has become a necessity to to give them a value that carries just as much weight as quantifiable material assets do in the process of assessment and political decision-making. The conflict between sourcing energy and protecting landscapes is just one example of this. In this respect it should be pointed out that the use of water power has already been expanded on a large scale to the extent that there are only few remaining stretches of water that are unused and still in their original natural state."
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All available articles from » Hans Weiss
Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy | Wednesday, 23. March 2011
Italy will postpone its plans to reintroduce nuclear power in the country for a year, the country's Ministry for Economic development announced on Tuesday. A pause for reflection is certainly a wise measure but in Italy there is the danger that rather than culminating in a decision it will lead to endless procrastinating, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore complains: » more
Italy will postpone its plans to reintroduce nuclear power in the country for a year, the country's Ministry for Economic development announced on Tuesday. A pause for reflection is certainly a wise measure but in Italy there is the danger that rather than culminating in a decision it will lead to endless procrastinating, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore complains: "The moratorium was decided under pressure from a wave of emotion, an intensification of political mobilisation and the art of procrastination, which has been successfully practised for centuries in Italy. It brings a delay that will possibly be used to prevent the referendum demanded by the nuclear energy opponents, which threatens to become extremely problematic for the government. ... A pause for reflection is certainly a good idea because a decision for the future that is made under the pressure of strong emotions is neither logical nor wise. Everything possible should be done to prevent a fiasco here which cloaks a 'Yes' to nuclear energy in the guise of a 'Yes and No'."
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All available articles from » Guido Gentili
The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom | Wednesday, 23. March 2011
In reaction to the catastrophe in the Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima Daiichi, Germany has temporarily shut down seven of its oldest reactors, while the EU energy commissioner has called for a nuclear phaseout. The conservative newspaper The Daily Telegraph finds such panic mongering uncalled for: » more
In reaction to the catastrophe in the Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima Daiichi, Germany has temporarily shut down seven of its oldest reactors, while the EU energy commissioner has called for a nuclear phaseout. The conservative newspaper The Daily Telegraph finds such panic mongering uncalled for: "In a serious nuclear incident, panic will win out over reason unless there is someone who is both trustworthy and informed to speak out on behalf of reason. Cases like this need good risk analysis that can be handed to the media and so calm the debate. What was missing in Japan, the European Commission and Germany was the authoritative voice of a chief scientific adviser, who can quell the panic and point out any problems. Because until we know that, none of us can begin to understand how to manage the risks associated with disasters, whether delivered by humans, or nature, or both."
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All available articles from » David King
Les Echos - France | Tuesday, 22. March 2011
The catastrophe at the Japanese nuclear plant Fukushima 1 got people around the world debating the viability of nuclear phaseout again. France, which gets around 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy, is no exception. For the business paper Les Echos, safety precautions must be taken against such accidents, even if the cost will trigger an enormous increase in the price of electricity: » more
The catastrophe at the Japanese nuclear plant Fukushima 1 got people around the world debating the viability of nuclear phaseout again. France, which gets around 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy, is no exception. For the business paper Les Echos, safety precautions must be taken against such accidents, even if the cost will trigger an enormous increase in the price of electricity: "There are plenty of so-called 'alternative' scenarios. The most responsible of them point out that the best kind of energy is the energy you don't consume, and go on to work out elaborate programmes for 'energy moderation'. But consumers and industry have resolutely opted for unlimited consumption of cheap energy. The scenario which addresses the root of the problem must dare to foresee a tenfold increase in standard energy prices so as to guarantee the financing of comprehensive nuclear safety measures (should nuclear energy still be in use then). ... But anyone who supported such a measure would certainly be punished. For having told the truth."
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Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Monday, 21. March 2011
The situation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant has stabilised after engineers were able to reconnect all of the reactor blocks to the power grid by this morning. But even if nuclear energy is indispensable at present we must learn the lessons of Fukushima, the daily Dagens Nyheter urges: » more
The situation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant has stabilised after engineers were able to reconnect all of the reactor blocks to the power grid by this morning. But even if nuclear energy is indispensable at present we must learn the lessons of Fukushima, the daily Dagens Nyheter urges: "We will have to live with nuclear energy for the foreseeable future. ... It's a fact that further use of nuclear power is one of the most important prerequisites for ensuring that greenhouse gas emissions at least don't increase. ... The accident in Japan is very serious but so far doesn't appear to be life-threatening. ... Unfortunately from a global and Swedish perspective there is an enduring threat: namely the nuclear power plants in the old Soviet Union which despite safety deficits continue to be in operation. The most important task at hand is to join forces to have them shut down or replaced ... to minimise the risk of a new reactor accident."
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Lietuvos rytas - Lithuania | Monday, 21. March 2011
The Fukushima reactor catastrophe in Japan has revived the nuclear debate in Europe. Lithuania wants to replace its Ignalina nuclear power plant with a new one and must therefore reopen the discussion of nuclear power, demands the daily Lietuvos Rytas: » more
The Fukushima reactor catastrophe in Japan has revived the nuclear debate in Europe. Lithuania wants to replace its Ignalina nuclear power plant with a new one and must therefore reopen the discussion of nuclear power, demands the daily Lietuvos Rytas: "The Soviets never asked us whether we wanted a nuclear plant or not. They had actually planned to build four reactors but in the end only built two. ... In this way Lithuania was forced to become a nuclear state against its will, and it didn't even secure us cheaper electricity. We have often paid more per kilowatt hour than in Latvia or Estonia where there is no nuclear power. Even today no one asks us whether we really want a nuclear power station, and no one has commissioned a survey. It hasn't even occurred to Parliament that such an important issue needs to be discussed with experts and representatives of the public. ... The general public may have very different ideas about a new nuclear power plant. We are the citizens of the country, not a voiceless mass manipulated by amorphous interest groups."
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Der Standard - Austria | Friday, 18. March 2011
In the wake of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the German and Austrian social democrats want to gather signatures across Europe for a definitive nuclear phaseout. If the petition gathers a million signatures from at least seven member states the EU Commission would have to take a justified stance on the issue. Such an initiative is senseless, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more
In the wake of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the German and Austrian social democrats want to gather signatures across Europe for a definitive nuclear phaseout. If the petition gathers a million signatures from at least seven member states the EU Commission would have to take a justified stance on the issue. Such an initiative is senseless, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "Right now it will be pretty easy to get a million Europeans to sign a petition against nuclear power plants in Europe, as the Fukushima shock and feelings of insecurity run deep. Nevertheless such a vote will be of no avail at present, because such a pan-EU petition will only be legally feasible in 2012 - and by then the tabloids will have long since moved on to other provocative issues. In addition, the EU Commission is not obliged to pass a law against nuclear power just because a million EU citizens say it should. And a pan-European nuclear phaseout is a protracted affair - with uncertain parameters as far as alternatives go. Developing something like that will take time. A political flash in the pan will be no help at all."
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All available articles from » Petra Stuiber
Finance - Slovenia | Friday, 18. March 2011
Since the nuclear catastrophe in Japan environmentalists have been proclaiming the end of nuclear power and vaunting green energy sources. But sustainable energy alone is not yet the answer, writes the business paper Finance: » more
Since the nuclear catastrophe in Japan environmentalists have been proclaiming the end of nuclear power and vaunting green energy sources. But sustainable energy alone is not yet the answer, writes the business paper Finance: "We want it all, without making any sacrifices. Everyone is for an intact environment in which enough energy is available and there are plenty of roads for fast, environmentally friendly cars. Granted, everything is not just black or white, but please let's stay sensible. Renewable energy sources still do not deliver sufficient energy to meet our needs. A further problem is that they are far more expensive. Do you know that one megawatt of renewable energy without state subsidies is around four times as expensive as the same amount of electricity from a nuclear power plant? So in future when you hear someone calling for nothing but renewable energy, you better check you purse first."
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All available articles from » Jurij Šimac
Kauppalehti - Finland | Friday, 18. March 2011
In reaction to the nuclear disaster in Japan, Germany has put a hold on the planned extension of nuclear plant running times and taken the seven oldest plants off the grid pending safety tests. For the business paper Kauppalehti this is nothing but action for action's sake in the run-up to state parliament elections: » more
In reaction to the nuclear disaster in Japan, Germany has put a hold on the planned extension of nuclear plant running times and taken the seven oldest plants off the grid pending safety tests. For the business paper Kauppalehti this is nothing but action for action's sake in the run-up to state parliament elections: "Seven state elections will take place in Germany this year, the next in about a week in Baden-Württemberg. This flurry of activity is pure electioneering on the part of Merkel and her standard bearers. ... According to a current survey, 70 percent of Germans are against nuclear power. By shutting off nuclear plants and stopping various 'extensions', the government is trying to cut its losses. In any case it shows what nonsense was being fobbed off on German voters before the earthquake in Japan. ... From a sober standpoint, Germany has just as many reasons to say no to nuclear power now as it did before the earthquake. One of those is the unresolved question of where to permanently store nuclear waste. Nevertheless this real risk has always been played down."
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Sega - Bulgaria | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
In reaction to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger announced on Tuesday that all Europe's nuclear power plants would be subjected to stress tests. This is all a farce, writes the daily Sega: » more
In reaction to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger announced on Tuesday that all Europe's nuclear power plants would be subjected to stress tests. This is all a farce, writes the daily Sega: "We only need look at last year's botched bank stress tests to see what will happen. Not a single reactor will be shut down. ... The special meeting in Brussels was less about drawing up and applying standardised criteria to address concerns regarding nuclear safety than pretending that 'Europe is indivisible regarding safety' as the German EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger put it. At the same time it became clear that the standardisation will be voluntary; that the different types of power plant at different locations simply can't be compared; that some are under threat from sea waves while others are exposed to seismic dangers; that no one can assess the potential threat from terrorist attacks, and so on."
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All available articles from » Svetoslav Tersiev
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
With the announcement that seven nuclear reactors will be taken off the power grid and that all nuclear plants will be tested for safety, the hitherto pro-nuclear German government has launched a revolution in energy policy, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more
With the announcement that seven nuclear reactors will be taken off the power grid and that all nuclear plants will be tested for safety, the hitherto pro-nuclear German government has launched a revolution in energy policy, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "The Japanese nuclear disaster has torpedoed the coalition government's policy of extending the lifespans of nuclear plants. The current and future federal and state governments must now effect the 'energy turnabout' very quickly without jeopardising Germany's energy security or its competitiveness; other nations including neighbouring countries, or at least their presidents, seem less shaken in their belief in nuclear energy. Germany too should take care not to overreact. Nonetheless the age of energy that is 'cheap' only in the short term has unquestionably come to an end, burnt out in the nuclear fires of Fukushima."
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All available articles from » Berthold Kohler
Tages-Anzeiger - Switzerland | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
If Germany turns its back on nuclear energy other countries will follow suit, the left-liberal Tages-Anzeiger concludes: » more
If Germany turns its back on nuclear energy other countries will follow suit, the left-liberal Tages-Anzeiger concludes: "Even after the moratorium nothing will be as it was before. With its rapid, abrupt reaction to the events in Japan Berlin has ushered in a new era in energy policy. Even the physicist Angela Merkel, a friend of nuclear energy in the past, is asking herself whether the cheap electricity from the reactors is really worth the potentially deadly risk. The result: nuclear energy is on the way out for good in Germany. If Germany's powerful industry now begins to look seriously for technologies to provide a nuclear-free future this will create a vortex that will pull the entire continent along with it. All other Europeans would be well advised not to miss the ride."
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All available articles from » Nauer, David
Delo - Slovenia | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
The decision of the German government to take seven old nuclear power plants off the grid came astonishingly quickly, writes the daily Delo: » more
The decision of the German government to take seven old nuclear power plants off the grid came astonishingly quickly, writes the daily Delo: "The insistence on extending the lives of the nuclear plants has until now been considered a hallmark of the conservative government. But the catastrophe has turned everything on its head. ... There can no longer be one hundred percent confidence in the safety and technological achievements with which the government sought to soothe voters' concerns last year. Chancellor Angela Merkel has recognised the spirit of the times and taken firm action, even if the true motivation for her decision will remain unclear for several months. Is this a major change in energy policy, an effort to calm the public or an attempt to deceive it?"
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All available articles from » Peter Žerjavič
La Repubblica - Italy | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
The fears which have led Germany to temporarily close down its seven oldest nuclear reactors are justified, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica writes approvingly: » more
The fears which have led Germany to temporarily close down its seven oldest nuclear reactors are justified, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica writes approvingly: "There are times in the history of mankind when one should not just obey the dictates of common sense but also listen to one's gut feelings. For those feelings compel us to be cautious. ... There are times of deep injury to the world, not just physical but also mental, when we must resort to different remedies - our intelligence, public debate, but also our fear. ... The philosopher Hans Jonas spoke quite rightly of the heuristics of fear when he called for mankind to assume responsibility for the future of the Earth. This fear is not the fear which paralyses but the fear which compels us to comprehend. ... It incites curiosity and wards off evil by making us cautious, raising questions and compelling us to correct our wrong thoughts and deeds."
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All available articles from » Barbara Spinelli
Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Wednesday, 16. March 2011
The conservative German government's announcement that it would provisionally shut down seven nuclear power plants will have repercussions for the political balance of power in the country, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: » more
The conservative German government's announcement that it would provisionally shut down seven nuclear power plants will have repercussions for the political balance of power in the country, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: "This is not just a change in German energy policy but also a painful defeat for the government's nuclear programme. 'This change in policy will no doubt rub most CDU voters the wrong way', said [political science] professor Gerd Langguth. The opposition has no doubts that the Chancellor has taken this step for tactical reasons. The events in Japan have a direct influence on power relations in Germany. The Green Party already feels it's won. For years now it has been calling for an end to nuclear energy in Europe. These reservations are shared by EU energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger [CDU], who is calling for stricter controls of nuclear plants."
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All available articles from » Piotr Jendroszczyk
De Standaard - Belgium | Tuesday, 15. March 2011
The catastrophe in Japan has fanned debate over nuclear energy across the world. However there is more to the issue than the safety of power plants, warns the daily De Standaard: » more
The catastrophe in Japan has fanned debate over nuclear energy across the world. However there is more to the issue than the safety of power plants, warns the daily De Standaard: "Almost every government now promises that it will 'learn' from the events in Japan. That is fair enough, and perfectly understandable. But at the same time the catastrophe in Japan threatens to confine the discussion about the pros and cons of nuclear energy to the potential damage from 'incidents' like natural catastrophes, plane crashes or terrorist attacks. Although potentially very risky, such incidents are not very likely. The largest safety risks from nuclear energy come not from such occurrences but from nuclear waste. This waste is a reality, not a probability. And more than a half century after the first nuclear reactors went into operation, we still have no idea what to do with it."
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All available articles from » Karin de Ruyter
Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 15. March 2011
In view of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, politicians the world over are starting to react to people's fears of nuclear technology, the business paper Hospodářské noviny observes: » more
In view of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, politicians the world over are starting to react to people's fears of nuclear technology, the business paper Hospodářské noviny observes: "The German government yesterday reversed its decision to prolong the running times of nuclear power plants in the country. Austria has called for a pan-European stress test and experts will meet this week in Brussels. ... Even the US atomic renaissance could be very quickly nipped in the bud. ... At some point Japan will be able to put a number on its victims, as well as on the repercussions for its economy. The dramatic reversal in attitudes to atomic energy cannot be translated into precise figures. The psychology of the society that uses nuclear energy is as unstable as the atom itself. All it takes is one neuron of uncertainty and the chain reaction of doubt and fear is very difficult to stop."
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All available articles from » Daniel Anýž
Berliner Zeitung - Germany | Tuesday, 15. March 2011
With an eye to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a three-month moratorium on plans to extend the lifespans of the country's nuclear reactors. Now is the time for a full nuclear phaseout, the left-liberal Berliner Zeitung writes: » more
With an eye to the nuclear catastrophe in Japan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced a three-month moratorium on plans to extend the lifespans of the country's nuclear reactors. Now is the time for a full nuclear phaseout, the left-liberal Berliner Zeitung writes: "What has the horrifying catastrophe in Japan taught us that we didn't already know from Chernobyl? Nuclear power cannot be controlled, no matter how high the safety standards are. ... The conservative-liberal coalition's nuclear policy has had its day, and in one respect the chancellor is entirely right: after the moratorium nothing will be as it was before. After watching the television and surfing the Internet for the last three days, people know all there is to be known about cooling systems, meltdowns and radioactive clouds. In addition Japan - and that's the difference to Chernobyl 25 years ago - is closer to Germany than Russia was then. ... For all those who are serious about a quick nuclear phaseout, a window of opportunity has just opened."
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All available articles from » Brigitte Fehrle
La Repubblica - Italy | Tuesday, 15. March 2011
Italy should take Germany's decision to suspend plans to extend the life of its nuclear power stations as an example, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica recommends, noting that Italy's nuclear debate is headed in the wrong direction entirely: » more
Italy should take Germany's decision to suspend plans to extend the life of its nuclear power stations as an example, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica recommends, noting that Italy's nuclear debate is headed in the wrong direction entirely: "Germany is acting in the name of safety, in the name of the health and the survival of the community. Surprising and alarming is the fact that in Italy the Minister for the Environment Stefania Prestigiacomo of all people is ignoring the call for caution and responsible action and proclaiming Rome's course of sticking to its nuclear programme with an almost challenging tone. It is to be feared that the Italian government intends to launch ... a nuclear campaign over the question of the peaceful use of atomic energy (to be resolved by a referendum), causing even more tensions and rifts."
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All available articles from » Giovanni Valentini
Õhtuleht - Estonia | Monday, 14. March 2011
Estonia has long been weighing up whether to build a nuclear power plant. But now the plans must be reconsidered, writes the tabloid Öhtuleht, as the accident in the Japanese reactor at Fukushima proves there will always be a certain residual risk involved: » more
Estonia has long been weighing up whether to build a nuclear power plant. But now the plans must be reconsidered, writes the tabloid Öhtuleht, as the accident in the Japanese reactor at Fukushima proves there will always be a certain residual risk involved: "We remember Chernobyl - how the authorities tried to hush things up and we were given no official information, while the Finns had already changed the sand in their playgrounds and hundreds of young Estonians had been sent to work on the rescue operation where they sacrificed their health without being told what was at risk. The nuclear power plant at Fukushima is several decades old but was considered far safer than Chernobyl. Supporters of nuclear energy point to the fact that technology has been improving constantly and that there has long been a newer, safer generation of reactors. ... But no technology can guarantee 100 percent safety."
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Welt am Sonntag - Germany | Sunday, 13. March 2011
After the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the question of nuclear safety must also be reviewed in Germany, writes the conservative Sunday paper Welt am Sonntag: » more
After the nuclear catastrophe in Japan the question of nuclear safety must also be reviewed in Germany, writes the conservative Sunday paper Welt am Sonntag: "It is merely trite to say that something like this would not be possible here in Germany because our nuclear plants aren't located on fault lines running between tectonic plates. Because events in Japan show us above all that whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and worse. Many German nuclear plants are vulnerable to terror attacks from the air. Utopian? Unimaginable? After March 11 no scenario is too crazy. But those who have always warned of such disasters should withstand the temptation to reap political gain from this catastrophe. The nuclear industry must and will be the subject of new negotiations, as too many questions remain open. Nevertheless the protagonists should take their time providing answers. They should be based on reality - and not the next elections."
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All available articles from » Claus Christian Malzahn
The Observer - United Kingdom | Monday, 14. March 2011
Although the threat of a melt-down in the Japanese reactor at Fukushima will deeply shake people's trust in atomic energy, nuclear phaseout is not the way to go, writes the Sunday paper The Observer: » more
Although the threat of a melt-down in the Japanese reactor at Fukushima will deeply shake people's trust in atomic energy, nuclear phaseout is not the way to go, writes the Sunday paper The Observer: "The loss will be ours. There is an overriding reason to cling on to the development of a dependable, universally available, low-carbon form of generation which can produce massive amounts of power. Without more nuclear plants there is no chance of this country ridding itself of fossil fuels, barring a huge cut in energy consumption which no democratic state will be able to impose. Climate change should still trump the remote prospect of nuclear calamity."
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All available articles from » Julian Glover
Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Monday, 14. March 2011
The nuclear catastrophe puts a big question mark over the future use of atomic energy, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
The nuclear catastrophe puts a big question mark over the future use of atomic energy, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "An honest discussion on maintenance strategies ... is indispensable. Japan itself, which gets around a third of its energy from nuclear power, will be unable to avoid such a debate. In any event, since last Friday major doubts have been raised about the much-touted renaissance of nuclear energy. ... With the dramatic turn of events in Japan there will be no escaping the unpleasant question of which interests come first. How much risk are we ready to shoulder to quench our ever-increasing thirst for energy - especially considering the increasingly stringent climate policy goals and the need to dramatically sink dependence on fossil fuels in the next decades? It's entirely possible that March 11, 2011 has to a certain extent already settled this matter."
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Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 14. March 2011
It would be a mistake to categorically rule out the peaceful use of atomic energy in reaction to the nuclear disaster in Japan, the business paper Hospodářské noviny: » more
It would be a mistake to categorically rule out the peaceful use of atomic energy in reaction to the nuclear disaster in Japan, the business paper Hospodářské noviny: "It sounds cynical but that's the way it is: the worse the damage caused by the accidents at the Japanese nuclear power plants, the better it is for the opponents of nuclear power. But before we reject nuclear power outright we should consider a few things. There aren't that many alternatives. Gas and oil come mostly from conflict regions like the Middle East or Russia. Alternative energy sources are still expensive and can't compete. Coal may be a cheap, local raw material but it can only be mined at the expense of brutally destroying the countryside and resettling entire communities. Under European conditions nuclear energy is the most economic and environmentally friendly source of energy because it doesn't contribute to global warning. ... The right reaction to Fukushima is to tighten safety standards at nuclear plants. And to explain the risks and advantages of nuclear energy with respect to other forms of energy under the conditions prevalent here in Europe."
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More from the press review on the subject » Energy, » Natural disasters, » Natural disasters, » Catastrophe, » Europe, » Global, » Japan
All available articles from » Petr Honzejk
Salzburger Nachrichten - Austria | Wednesday, 9. March 2011
In Austria, the "Out of Euratom" petition for a referendum on the country's withdrawal from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) has failed. It is nonetheless important to discuss the future of Europe's energy supplies, writes the Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten: » more
In Austria, the "Out of Euratom" petition for a referendum on the country's withdrawal from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) has failed. It is nonetheless important to discuss the future of Europe's energy supplies, writes the Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten: "The Euratom opponents are right, even if their petition for a referendum wasn't a great success: These are key years in which the foundations for Europe's future energy supply will be laid. ... Energy efficiency must be a top priority, as the EU commissioners responsible for this area of policy once again admonished on Tuesday. The motto is less oil and more renewable energy sources and openness to new technologies. Therefore nuclear fusion research should not be rejected, but there is certainly the need for a discussion on why fewer EU billions are being spent on research in other areas."
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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Austria, » Europe
All available articles from » Gerhard Schwischei
Berlingske - Denmark | Friday, 25. February 2011
Denmark's conservative government presented its new energy strategy on Thursday. The country aims to be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050 and at the same time drastically reduce its pollution levels. The liberal-conservative daily Berlingske criticises the concept: » more
Denmark's conservative government presented its new energy strategy on Thursday. The country aims to be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050 and at the same time drastically reduce its pollution levels. The liberal-conservative daily Berlingske criticises the concept: "The government proposes new taxes for financing the shift to non-fossil fuels. But why don't we harness the market mechanisms in this green endeavour by lowering taxes on green energy and compensating for the lost revenues with cuts in the national budget? And why should we favour expensive offshore wind energy which can't be stored and still costs three times what conventionally produced electricity costs? ... Sun energy, wave energy and other alternative energy sources must also be given a chance, not to mention that most obvious environmental and of course cheap source: nuclear energy, which isn't even mentioned in the government's plan."
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More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Energy, » Denmark
Expansión - Spain | Thursday, 17. February 2011
The running times of nuclear power plants in Spain can be extended more easily now that the socialist government has changed its policy here and approved a change in the law to that effect. The business paper Expansión welcomes the change of direction: » more
The running times of nuclear power plants in Spain can be extended more easily now that the socialist government has changed its policy here and approved a change in the law to that effect. The business paper Expansión welcomes the change of direction: "With good reason Zapatero has extended the changes to the economy he began last May to the nuclear power plants. ... The initiative for prolonging the life-span of the nuclear plants ties in perfectly with the three main objectives the government should set itself in energy policy: cutting costs, guaranteeing supplies and reducing CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases. After many decades of smooth functioning at Spanish nuclear plants the prejudices the government harboured until recently on this issue are unfounded."
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More from the press review on the subject » Energy, » Spain
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