Re: nuclear power / environmentalists

[Marissa Bartlett <BartlettM@health.qld.gov.au>]

>>1) Since it is common knowledge that nuclear power is clean and does
>>not contribute to global warming, why aren't we being begged by the
>>environmentalists to build more plants.

>The problem is that there isn't a single coordinated environmental
>movement. There's an anti-nuclear movement, an anti-coal burning
>movement, an anti-solar movement, an anti-wind farm movement, and >now
a tear-down-the-dams anti-hydro movement. Not only do none of >these
groups talk to each other, they don't want to or care to.

Am I the only one on this list who finds the frequent trenchant comments
about 'environmentalists' unhelpful at best, and offensive at worst?  I
don't mean to get stuck into either of the individuals I've quoted above
- these are just typical of comments frequently made on this list.  I
also don't want to get into an argument about the usefulness or
otherwise of the past and present environmental movement since this
would be very off-topic.  I would just point out,  that there are many
people of good will and good understanding  concerned about, and
involved in, various environmental issues.  Treating them otherwise will
not help them to trust our professional expertise - and lack of trust,
IMO, is *exactly* why nuclear power/all forms of radiation are
politically pariahs in our societies.

Marissa Bartlett
bartlettm@health.qld.gov.au


=================================
Dr Marissa Bartlett
Dept of Nucelar Medicine
Royal Brisbane Hospital
Herston   4029
Australia