fbpx

Today (11 June 2011) marks three months since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, and people all over the world will mark that anniversary by protesting against nuclear power.

Scotland is one of the world’s leading nations saying no to new nuclear power stations, and is instead moving towards a target of 100% of the nation’s electricity being produced by renewable sources by 2020.

Stan Blackley, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“The Fukushima disaster was an unpleasant and unnecessary wake-up call to the world. While some may see nuclear power as having a part to play in both the UK’s energy future and in mitigating climate change, Friends of the Earth Scotland disagrees completely, and remain firmly opposed to nuclear power, as we have been since our inception in 1978.

“Nuclear power is an expensive, ineffective and a risky way to produce electricity, and leaves future generations a legacy of deadly radioactive waste to deal with. It is not a low carbon option, and is a distraction from the pursuit of secure, safe and sustainable energy supplies.

Switzerland and Germany have recently announced that they are to phase out their nuclear power plants and increase the amount of demand reduction, energy efficiency and renewables electricity generation that they do. This is incredibly welcome news and will hopefully encourage other nations to follow suit. There is no reason why the UK Government cannot follow suit and commit to the same.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

The Power of Scotland Explained, myth-busting pamphlet on renewable energy in Scotland, based on the research of Garrad Hassan, one of the UK’s leading energy consultants.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/power-explained

Friends of the Earth Scotland is

Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisationAn independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across ScotlandPart of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent.

www.foe-scotland.org.uk