Nuclear research facilities, uranium enrichment plants, and uranium mines are also potentially at risk for attacks that could cause widespread contamination with radioactive material (9). An attack could cause major explosions, putting population centers at risk, as well as ejecting dangerous radioactive material into the atmosphere and surrounding region. Nuclear power plants are a potential target for terrorist operations. To avoid weapons proliferation, it is important that countries with high levels of corruption and instability be discouraged from creating nuclear programs, and the US should be a leader in nonproliferation by not pushing for more nuclear power at home (3). As nuclear fuel and technologies become globally available, the risk of these falling into the wrong hands is increasingly present. There is great concern that the development of nuclear energy programs increases the likelihood of proliferation of nuclear weapons. These facilities are running out of storage space, so the nuclear industry is turning to other types of storage that are more costly and potentially less safe (2). Currently, there are no long-term storage solutions for radioactive waste, and most is stored in temporary, above-ground facilities. The waste generated by nuclear reactors remains radioactive for tens to hundreds of thousands of years (1). Those plants should not be built for the following reasons: Ten Strikes Against Nuclear Energy 1. Our country needs a massive influx of investment in these solutions if we are to avoid the worst consequences of climate change, enjoy energy security, jump-start our economy, create jobs, and work to lead the world in development of clean energy.Ĭurrently there are 444 nuclear fission power plants in 30 countries worldwide, with another 63 plants potentially under construction. Solar power, wind power, geothermal power, hybrid and electric cars, and aggressive energy efficiency are climate solutions that are safer, cheaper, faster, more secure, and less wasteful than nuclear power. It may produce lower-carbon energy, but this energy comes with a great deal of risk.

Nuclear fission power is not a climate solution. But all of that work will be wasted if we transition from fossil fuels to an equally dangerous source – nuclear energy.

Green America is active in addressing the climate crisis by transitioning the US electricity mix away from its heavy emphasis on coal-fired and natural gas power.

Among us reactor meltdown hand