Our Prime Minister is in Australia today for a conference of leaders of APEC ( Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group).
Harper has finally accepted the reality of Global Warming as a major issue for the human race.
Here’s part of what he said at the meeting: "…the weight of scientific evidence holds that our atmosphere is getting hotter and that human activity is a significant contributor." This is, of course a reversal of his position just a few years ago, when he dismissed evidence of Global Warming out of hand. Still, good for him that he is willing to admit that he was wrong.
But if he was wrong about that…what else could he be wrong about?
Canadians are struggling with the problem of what to do about our steadily growing demand for electricity and other forms of energy. Harper is promoting the creation of more nuclear reactors. Considering the cost of construction and the emissions created by mining, processing and transporting uranium…not to mention the growing problem of what to do about nuclear waste…more reactors may not be the right way to go.
I wonder if he has read the commentary published today in The Sydney Morning Herald. It’s written by Ian Lowe, the president of the Australian Conservation Foundation. (the link to Lowe’s commentary may take a moment to load).
If we watch the B-Line during rush hour we would see that most of the cars going to and from Bruce Power have one person in them. I think if the general public is not willing to make sacrifices it won’t matter who our prime minister is. Nuclear wast is not that big a problem because the uranium is already radio active before we mine it. If we put it back in the ground were just putting back what we took out.
HI roger…thanks for the comment.
I agree that nuclear waste is not that big a problem, especially if we can find a way to re-process it and reuse it as fuel pellets….safely and efficiently. The safest place for nuclear waste is right where it is…onsite…and that’s where it could easily stay if we do our homework. The downside of the issue is the amount of carbon emissions we produce through mining, refining, transportation, preparing disposal and storage sites, constructing and of course- eventual decomissioning. We haven’t seen much of this up here, but for the Americans, who produced so much waste materials from weapons production, it’s a nightmare. These costs are subsidized by public money and are not recoverable. The power itself is clean. It’s all the ancillary elements that cost us. But you’re right…no one is willing to sacrifice anything. Right now…in thje short term…we are all way to comfy.
Thanks again for caring.