Nuclear debate heats up
Posted by Admin on 9/17/2007 11:31 AM in No Category
Nuclear power may be off limits to New Zealand's politicians but with other countries seeing it as a solution to global warming what do New Zealanders think?
The government is embracing new technology to combat climate change.
But while many countries look to nuclear power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is a no-go zone in New Zealand politics.
"Pretty much the clear majority are saying, 'No way, Jose', to that one," says Prime Minister Helen Clark.
She is right but voters are not totally closed off to the option.
Thirty six percent believe the government should consider developing nuclear power stations in the future, while 60% say no, and 4% don't know.
"People who believe that climate change exists should be looking at nuclear power - it's the only safe, large scale option that we have to make a major difference," says Bryan Leyland, an energy consultant.
In the mid 1970s a Royal Commission of Inquiry seriously considered nuclear power. The Kaipara Harbour was even earmarked for a building four nuclear reactors.
"It could substitute for coal and it would be quite easy to generate about 30% of our power from nuclear," says Leyland.
But Clark says there are environmental and economic arguments against it.
"My understanding is that New Zealand wouldn't have the scale for that nuclear power production, even if it had the desire to go that way. In addition, we've got so many sources of renewable energy that there is no reason to be looking that way," she says.
Even if voters do not agree with the nuclear solution, a ONE News Colmar Brunton poll shows almost all believe climate change demands government action.
"I think there has been an amazing change over the past year. When you get to 85% of people saying yes, the government should be doing something to reduce the impact. That is phenomenal - that is pretty much a national consensus," says Clark.
But there is no consensus on government performance on this issue.
Sixty five percent give a fair to poor rating, while only a third score the government good or excellent in its approach to climate change.
The government's chance to turn this around comes with a major announcement on Thursday, when they are expected to unveil a carbon trading scheme.
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