Is nuclear energy the answer to climate change? Here Dr Chris Mitchell explains why there is no silver bullet. Why doesn’t Australia use nuclear energy already? The simple reason is that Australia has abundant reserves of coal and therefore electricity generated from coal is by far the cheapest source of electricity. The country most dependent on nuclear power is France in which over 75% of the electricity generated within its borders comes from nuclear power stations. Even Germany, which often claims ‘green credentials’, generates the bulk of its electricity from coal and nuclear. Mining coal in Germany is much more expensive than Australia as it is generally located deeper underground. Germany also uses brown coal (lignite) to generate electricity. Why do people object to nuclear power? There are three main reasons: 1. If nuclear fuels such as uranium are not carefully controlled, they can be turned into the material required for nuclear weapons. 2. Many local councils in Australia have banned nuclear materials being transported through their areas given the risks associated with their transport and handling. Within nuclear power stations there is also a risk that if there is an accident, large amounts of radioactive pollution could be released … Continue reading Nuclear: to fear or to revere?