Dr. Alex Cannara (pictured below) is the incredibly senior proponent of nuclear energy whom I’ve referred to frequently here. He heads a group of about 50 of us who share his views, and writes:
Hi gang. I wrote a short note to Chris Hayes who just interviewed a fellow discussing how grave environmental things are. Chris is supportive of nuclear power, so he is easier to write.
It occurred to me that anyone who wishes to write any officials/groups on the subject might find the letter a useful source, so it’s attached…
Use anything you like from it. Note that the 2nd attached graphic drives home the effectiveness of nuclear power by showing how France far exceeds other countries on reducing emissions. If Ontario Canada were plotted, it too would display nuclear’s huge emissions benefit.
My reason for writing is that we’re getting into very bad straights caused by our bumbling around. Australia says The Great Barrier Reef is in dire straits from warmed waters (see before and after pic above), yet Aussies still ship coal around the world and avoid nuclear. Germany is similarly foolish.
The message is that there’s no runway left for fiddling with the controls. I hope each of you can use this letter’s content to reach one or more others who might help others wake up and take action.
Thanks,
Alex
Note: At the risk of stating the obvious, the reason that the Aussies are shipping coal all around the world is money. The wealthiest people in Australia know what everyone else does: coal is by far the most toxic energy source known to humankind, but it’s still just as lucrative as ever.
One would hope that these people would respond the way Richard Nixon’s lawyer John Dean did when his boss suggested hiding information on the Watergate break-in: “We could do it, but it would be wrong.” But no, they couldn’t care less that it’s wrong, in that it’s destroying the only home we have.
I join those who say that the human race has evolved to be tribal and selfish. We are largely indifferent to the needs of others, and the capitalist society we’ve built has only served to reenforce this.
As Tom Waits observed, “We’re monkeys with money and guns.”
Now, are there some extremely decent and kind people spread around the globe? Of course. But they tend not to be the billionaires who make all the important decisions as to the how our culture will conduct itself.
Well, never is a long time, as they say.
Yet imagine this scenario, which is quite possible:
Trump is impeached and removed. Almost immediately, there is an incredible outpouring of information on an additional set of crimes committed by Trump and his administration. Simultaneously, the U.S. morphs into a social democracy, and its people enjoy quality education, access to healthcare, and prosperity, not unlike those in Northern Europe and elsewhere around the globe.
Yes, there will always be Republicans promising mass deportations and whatever else appeals to a dwindling MAGA base, but I would think they will have one hell of a hard time winning a national election.
The GOP can say the American economy is skyrocketing. But then there’s that nasty little piece of reality that people can’t afford groceries and are suffering financially more generally.
Or they can day that people are suffering financially, but it’s Biden’s fault. Oops. Biden left office 588 days ago.
Or they can say that the war in Iran has driven up gas prices, but that will turn immediately because we’ve won the war. Yikes. What can we say about all these bombs?
Or they can say that all the racial hatred and divisiveness is Obama’s fault. No, that’s problematic, since he’s been gone for almost 10 years.
Trump supporters may not be too sharp, but even they are having trouble accepting all this crap.
-
Climate Change1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Greenhouse Gases2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
Guest post: Why China is still building new coal – and when it might stop
-
Climate Change2 years ago嘉宾来稿：满足中国增长的用电需求 光伏加储能“比新建煤电更实惠”
-
Climate Change2 years ago
Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
-
Renewable Energy10 months agoSending Progressive Philanthropist George Soros to Prison?
-
Greenhouse Gases1 year ago
嘉宾来稿：探究火山喷发如何影响气候预测
-
Carbon Footprint2 years agoUS SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules Spur Renewed Interest in Carbon Credits