Russia uranium sales no solution to climate change

Russia uranium sales no solution to climate change

Sydney, Australia — Greenpeace warns that John Howard's proposed plan to sell uranium to Russia creates a nuclear weapons proliferation risk, and is not a solution to climate change. It is also rejected by a new poll released today. The national Pollinate poll shows only 16% support nuclear power and coal with 79% preferring energy saving, fuel efficiency and renewable energy.

Greenpeace warns that John Howard's proposed plan to sell uranium to Russia creates a nuclear weapons proliferation risk, and is not a solution to climate change.

It is also rejected by a new poll released today. The national Pollinate poll shows only 16% support nuclear power and coal with 79% preferring energy saving, fuel efficiency and renewable energy.

Steve Shallhorn, Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO said:

"Russia has failed to live up to its commitments to disarm its nuclear arsenal under the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and there is a real risk that Australian uranium will be used to free up Russia's own uranium supplies for weapons production and export."

"Selling uranium to Russia will fuel the growth of Russia 's unsafe nuclear power industry, at the expense of investment in clean, safe renewable technology," said Mr Shallhorn.

"As expected, APEC is undermining any real action on climate change - instead facilitating deals like this one will push the world towards a dirty energy future."

"More uranium for Russia will generate even more nuclear waste, that is already contaminating communities. Nuclear waste stockpiles in Russia are also among the world's least secure and most at risk of being stolen for use in dirty bombs."

"John Howard and George Bush are misguided in their endorsement of nuclear energy as a climate change solution because it will not reduce global emissions enough in the time frame needed to avert harmful climate change."

"Russia is by no means a fully reformed nuclear player. Russia still has not ratified the 1997 IAEA "Additional Protocol", intended by the International Atomic Energy Agency to provide an extra layer of safeguards for nuclear materials."

"We should also keep in mind that it is Russian technology that built Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, and that Russia is expected to honour its contractual obligation to deliver nuclear fuel to Iran by the end of the year."

"This government's strong condemnation of Iran's determination to enrich uranium, because of the proliferation risks, is at odds with any plans to sell Australian uranium to Russia."

ENDS

© Scoop Media