Australia must remain a nuclear-free country.
Nuclear energy and arms are not compatible with a clean future.
It's a costly distraction from effective climate action that risks delaying – and even derailing – the sensible, considered and speedy transition to renewables that is already well underway and essential to protect the environment and safeguard our future.
To our elected representatives, we call on you to make Australia nuclear-free:
- End uranium mining and exports, and clean up all old uranium mines;
- Say no to nuclear power – it is high-risk, high-cost and a dangerous distraction from real climate solutions, like clean energy from the sun and wind;
- Take a strong stand against nuclear weapons – this includes signing and ratifying the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty;
- Manage radioactive waste transparently and responsibly.
The exaggerated claims being made by the latest round of nuclear promoters do not alter the evidence which clearly shows nuclear is the worst option for Australia.
There are many reasons nuclear energy is not a viable alternative for Australia’s energy future:
-
It takes too long – on average, it takes about nine years to build a nuclear power station and another 10 years for planning and licensing. Effectively that means two decades between first idea and first power. These are the critical decades to immediately reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
-
It’s dirty and dangerous – Nuclear power stations pose significant community, environment and health risks. Apart from the radioactive waste they generate, nuclear power stations run on uranium which, like coal and gas, is not a renewable resource.
-
It’s far more expensive than renewable options – Modelling shows developing nuclear infrastructure is 5-10 times more expensive than solar and wind. And even if the technology was in place, it would also cost more to produce.
-
It needs a lot of water – Nuclear reactors use tonnes of water per second to cool the reactors to produce electricity. This is unlike wind and solar which require little or no ongoing water use.
-
We have no proven options for managing long-term radioactive waste – All reactors create waste, and this is a growing and unresolved global management issue. For decades successive governments have tried to impose low and intermediate level waste dumps and stores, predominantly on First Nations lands, across multiple sites in Australia.
We must leave the uranium in the ground to keep our communities and the nature we rely on safe.
Let's get it right and make Australia nuclear-free.
Header image: Sea lions gather on the beach on the Eyre Peninsula. At the top of the Peninsula is Kimba, where the government is proposing to put a national radioactive waste site despite unanimous opposition from Barngarla Traditional Owners
Latest Supporters
Nuclear weapons could end Human Civilisation as we know it
With the land available in Australia, only wind and solar make sense. I can understand that this may not work for other nations, but we are in a different boat here. I do not want nuclear power and it’s possible disasters anywhere near our nation.
Australia has excellent landscape and climatic conditions to advance renewable energies to power this nation – without the need for fossil fuels and nuclear power – all it needs is your conscience to commit to funding renewable infrastructure now.
We ask you to please strongly advocate for Australia to sign and ratify the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty – to avoid misuse of nuclear weapons.
Uranium is a dangerous substance to mine and process for nuclear power – there is no known safe way of mining or disposing of uranium or radioactive waste products – it is best left in the ground.
Old uranium mines ought to be sealed and uranium residue cleaned up surrounding old mines.
In addition, any necessary (medical, scientific) radioactive waste must be rigorously recorded, disposed of or securely stored for the foreseeable future.
Thank you.
Help keep our beautiful planet clean and allow us a fighting chance to keep all beings and ecosystems safe. Look to renewables instead of nuclear power.