Nuclear energy must be debated: scientist

Adelaide Advertiser
Thursday 11/6/2009 Page: 45

THE role of nuclear energy must be more widely debated as Australia grapples with climate change, the CSIRO said yesterday. "There is a remarkable silence in the country at the moment," CSIRO chief executive Megan Clark said yesterday. She told the Australia- Israel Chamber of Commerce the reality was Australia would supply up to 38% of the world's uranium. "We are a substantial player in the global nuclear market," she said.

Dr Clark described the huge changes needed to try to cut greenhouse emissions to slow climate change. These included phasing out coalfired electricity generation and increasing gas generation as a transition to renewables. She was not disturbed by scientists, such as geologist Ian Plimer, publishing alternative views. "One of the strengths of science has been the robustness of debate," she said.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had brought together 500 scientists who rigorously discussed the issues. While the global financial crisis had diverted attention, one of the surprising fallouts had been an increase in spending on research and development. "There was a lot of strategic thinking going on," she said of companies coming to grips with a changing world. "There was a sense of 'how do we emerge from this stronger?'."

Companies gave serious consideration to operating in a world where carbon has a value, water was scarce and bio-diversity was threatened. "CSIRO's phones ran hot in February because there was a sense that we need innovation, that R&D is a strategic investment." she said.