Nuclear Energy: A Sweet Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Image source: Thomas Millot

By Jonathan Black

Nuclear for Climate occupied Glasgow’s George Square on November 3rd, with the aid of a large, inflatable gummy bear, in a bid to bring attention to nuclear energy as a viable replacement to fossil fuels.

Miguel Trenkel-Lopez, 26, a climate activist from England, explained the significance of the gummy bear: “The gummy bear signifies one unit of uranium. One gummy bear-sized pellet of uranium produces the same energy output as one tonne of coal.”

Nuclear for Climate’s main aim is to dispel myths surrounding nuclear energy and arm the public with scientific facts about this cleaner form of energy. The movement is a collaboration of multinational nuclear energy organisations.

Ana Otero Gonzalez, 30, a nuclear engineer from France, is in Glasgow representing Voice for Nuclear: “We try to provide people with the unbiased, practical information, including the challenges we still have to tackle regarding nuclear energy. We provide information about the pluses and minuses of nuclear energy too. We also talk about radiation.”

The growing awareness of green nuclear energy has seen a marked increase in engagement in the organisation; the group has one of the largest presences at COP26.

Saralyn Thomas, 29, a climate activist from England, said: “We have about 70 volunteers over the two-week COP event. As far as I’m aware, that’s the largest representation of nuclear energy that’s ever been at a COP before. It’s been great, we’ve been having so many conversations with people about nuclear energy.”

In shifting public perception, the organisation hopes that nuclear energy will be embraced as the world’s leading energy source; a source which has reduced 70 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions globally since its inception; a source which is on par with wind-powered energy, as the lowest carbon emitting forms of energy; and, ultimately,  a source which may play a pivotal role in the battle for planet earth.