Sunday, July 30, 2006

Dr Helen Caldicott: Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else

As the heat of conflict increases in the Middle East, so does the aggression of powerful nations, and no matter what any better knowing should tell us, some nations may well see fit to consider resorting to nuclear weapons to assert their dominance - believing in and asserting the false notion of such dominance.

We've already had a small foretaste of the nuclear arm wrestle between the Western world and North Korea, Iran, Pakistan and India - and no surprise should follow if Israel - traditionally nicely protected by most western governments, if not supplied with weapons - also would consider nuclear weapons.

At home in Australia, the Prime Minister has started to "sell" his opinion on nuclear energy and the notion of Australia as an "energy superpower" at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch in Sydney.

In his address Mr Howard was happy to vilify his opponents by creating yet another one of his infamous one-liners, talking about those in the anti-nuclear movement as "sacrificing rational discussion on the altar of anti-nuclear theology".

So it seems timely that we hear an authoritative voice. And, as we often do at Project SafeCom, we combine a promotion to our members, supporters, friends and other contacts of an excellent new book with our ongoing need to self-fund our operations.

Dr Helen Caldicott: Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else

A debate "we have to have"?

http://www.safecom.org.au/caldicott.htm

Most of us know the approach, heard this week in the Sydney address of our Prime Minister well by now: you create a one-liner everyone can repeat, even in the pub under the influence of alcohol, you repeat the line often enough so all of the media are dutifully reporting and repeating the line, and soon "the majority" will largely agree with your view.

We all also should know by now that "the facts" are largely irrelevant in this game where the PM plays with opinions, a game where he creates "majority opinions".

So, if we indeed "have to have" the debate about nuclear energy once again - as if the debate was not conclusively conducted in the 1980s - then let's have it.

We're happy to bring you one of the world's authoritative voices on nuclear energy, Dr Helen Caldicott, with her latest book:
Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else

For details, reviews and to order, visit: http://www.safecom.org.au/caldicott.htm

"In this revealing examination of the costs and consequences of nuclear energy, world-renowned antinuclear spokesperson Helen Caldicott uncovers the facts that belie the nuclear industry propaganda: nuclear power contributes to global warming; the true cost of nuclear power is prohibitive, with taxpayers picking up most of the tab; there's simply not enough uranium in the world to sustain nuclear power over the long term; and the potential for a catastrophic accident or a terrorist attack far outweighs any benefits."

For details, reviews and to order, visit: http://www.safecom.org.au/caldicott.htm

"In a world where dark and dangerous forces are threatening our planet, Helen Caldicott shines a powerful light. This much-needed book reveals truths that confirm we must take positive action now if we are to make a difference."
- MARTIN SHEEN

"In a world torn apart by wars over oil, many politicians are increasingly looking for alternative sources of energy-and their leading choice is often nuclear. Among the myths that have been spread over the years about nuclear-powered electricity are that it does not cause global warming or pollution (i.e., that it is "clean and green"), that it is inexpensive, and that it is safe.

But the facts belie the barrage of nuclear industry propaganda:

• Nuclear power contributes to global warming
• The real costs of nuclear power are prohibitive (and taxpayers pick up most of them)
• There's not enough uranium in the world to sustain long-term nuclear power
• Potential for a catastrophic accident or terrorist attack far outweighs any benefits.

"Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else

For details, reviews and to order, visit:
http://www.safecom.org.au/caldicott.htm

"Trained as a physician, and - after four decades of antinuclear activism - thoroughly versed in the science of nuclear energy, the bestselling author of Nuclear Madness and Missile Envy here turns her attention from nuclear bombs to nuclear lightbulbs. As she makes meticulously clear in this damning book, the world cannot withstand either."

"The world's leading spokesperson for the antinuclear movement, Dr. Helen Caldicott is the co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, and the 2003 winner of the Lannan Cultural Freedom Prize. She divides her time between Australia and Washington, D.C., where she recently established the Nuclear Policy Research Institute."

Dr. Helen Caldicott has the rare ability to combine science with passion, logic with love, and urgency with humor

- NAOMI KLEIN

Helen Caldicott has been my inspiration to speak out
- MERYL STREEP

Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else

Dr. Caldicott is one of the most articulate and passionate advocates of citizen action to remedy the nuclear and environmental crises
- FROM THE CITATION FOR THE 2003 LANNAN CULTURAL FREEDOM PRIZE

The time to take Caldicott's measured and wise words to heart is now
- BOOKLIST
http://www.safecom.org.au/caldicott.htm

Declaration: Project SafeCom is an Incorporated Association in Western Australia. Since the days of the TAMPA stand-off in 2001, it has been able to support its full-time unsalaried operations. Since January 2006 it also operates from premises in South Fremantle. Project SafeCom does not receive public funding, but supports its work through memberships, donations, public events, and from the sale of books through its website.

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