April 29: Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent at the People’s Climate March
by
Site Admin on
Apr 17, 2017 •
1:00 am No Comments
We are marching for a 100% renewable, nuclear-free, carbon-free world.
The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time. It poses an existential threat to life on Earth in a manner civilization never before has faced. Immediate action is necessary to slash climate-changing emissions in all sectors of society.
On April 29, the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent will join the People’s Climate March in Washington, DC, to demand immediate action from the US government and all of the governments of the world. We are also a networking and support hub for people who want to organize nuclear-free, carbon-free contingents for local climate marches and events.
The solutions to the climate crisis are clear: A rapid, just transition to a nuclear-free, carbon-free energy system. It is an energy system that relies not on antiquated energy models of the 20th Century and their polluting nuclear power and fossil fuel technologies … but on the safe, clean, affordable and sustainable renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smart technologies of the 21st Century.
Nuclear power in particular cannot solve the climate crisis. Indeed, its continued use exacerbates global warming by preventing the deployment of clean energy systems.
Among a myriad of other problems, nuclear power is:
-
Too Dirty: nuclear reactors and the nuclear fuel chain produce vast amounts of lethal radioactive waste, which grow whenever nuclear power is used. The nuclear fuel chain is responsible for far more carbon emissions than renewable energy generation and improved energy efficiency. All reactors routinely emit toxic radiation–the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has confirmed that there is no “safe” level of radiation exposure.
-
Too Dangerous: expanded use of nuclear power would inevitably lead to more Fukushimas and Chernobyls. The technology and materials needed to generate nuclear energy can be diverted to nuclear weapons programs.
-
Too Expensive: nuclear power is the costliest means possible of reducing carbon and methane emissions; its use crowds out investment in clean energy sources.
-
Too Slow: use of nuclear power to reduce fossil fuel emissions would require an unprecedented nuclear construction program, beyond the capability of the world’s manufacturers within an acceptable time frame.
-
Rooted in environmental injustice and human rights violations: First Nations, people of color and low-income communities are targeted for uranium mining and radioactive waste. Radiation harms women and girls at twice the rate as their male counterparts. And radioactive pollution indiscriminately harms future generations, poisoning the environment for hundreds to thousands of years.
Clean energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, increased energy efficiency, distributed generation, electricity storage and other advanced technologies can meet the world’s energy needs without carbon and methane emissions, radiation releases, and other pollutants.
Please join us in organizing for the People’s Climate March, and in marching for a vision of a clean, safe, just CARBON-FREE and NUCLEAR-FREE world.
Key details
-
Email Tim Judson at timj@nirs.org to join our planning conference calls.
-
-
Resources for Organizing and Mobilizing
-
Not coming to Washington DC?Join or organize a NFCF contingent at your local march!