The Washington Post today examined increasing global support for nuclear power, long considered environmentally hazardous, but which was "emerging as perhaps the world's most unlikely weapon against climate change, with the backing of even some green activists who once campaigned against it." Although no nuclear reactor construction was now underway, the Post noted that from China to Brazil, 53 plants were now under construction worldwide. Poland, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia were seeking to build their first reactors.
Greenpeace activist Stephen Tindale, who had opposed nuclear energy stridently, said recently: "It really is a question about the greater evil--nuclear waste or climate change. But there is no contest anymore. Climate change is the bigger threat, and nuclear is part of the answer." Steve Cochran, director of the National Climate Campaign at the Environmental Defense Fund, was quoted as saying: "If we are really serious about dealing with climate change, we are going to have to be willing to look at a range of options and not just rule things off the table. We may not like it, but that's the way it is."
Overseas, as "opposition recedes, even nations that had long vowed never to build another nuclear plant--such as Sweden, Belgium and Italy--have recently done an about-face as they see the benefits of a nearly zero-emission energy overriding the dangers of radioactive waste disposal and nuclear proliferation," wrote the Post.
