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We've seen the energy future and it's nuclear

The unfolding nuclear disaster at Fukushima has seen Germany abandon nuclear energy. Other countries are rethinking their options. Yet, given grave scientific warnings about the role of carbon emissions in climate change, prominent environmental scientists like James Lovelock have called for the world to employ nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. Lovelock’s call has divided the environmental movement—and sections of the wider community—where there remain deep-seated fears about nuclear hazards (disposal, pollution, accident, weaponisation and proliferation). Proponents of nuclear energy claim that a new generation of reactors are safe. Opponents say that the residual risks are just too great—especially when contrasted with those of increasingly affordable technologies for renewable energy. So, are fears about nuclear power misinformed, misguided or even relevant when indexed to the unfolding reality of adverse climate change? Given our vast reserves of uranium, our stable political economy and isolation—does Australia have an obligation to embrace nuclear power?

Speakers

Speakers to be announced.

Chair:

Dr Simon Longstaff has a PhD in Philosophy from Cambridge. Prior to becoming the inaugural Executive Director of St James Ethics Centre in 1991, Dr Longstaff worked in the Northern Territory in the Safety Department of BHP subsidiary, GEMCO, lectured at Cambridge University and consulted to the Cambridge Commonwealth and Overseas Trusts. His book Hard Cases, Tough Choices was published in 1997. Dr Longstaff was inaugural President of the Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics and is a Fellow of the World Economic Forum. He is Chairman of Woolworths Limited Corporate Responsibility Panel and AMP Capital Socially Responsible Investment Advisory Committee and serves as Member on a number of Board Committees.