Christian Ecology Link meets Brown over opposition to nuclear power plants

Three representatives of Christian Ecology Link (CEL) met Prime Minister Gordon Brown today to present him with a solar powered torch and a sample of insulation material as symbols of their resistance to the new generation of nuclear power plants that were given the green light by Government today.

Both objects were intended to demonstrate the energy that can be generated by the sun, wind and waves, and highlight the need for a "drastic reduction" in the use of energy.

Ruth Jarman, Eleanor Orr and Jonathan Essex also handed the Prime Minister a letter outlining their requests for a non-nuclear future and a copy of CEL's Faith and Power report during their lunchtime visit. In the report, CEL advocates for energy reduction and investment in renewable energy forms as an alternative to new nuclear power stations in the generation of energy.

Ms Jarman, who supports more moderate energy consumption, said, "There is no scientific consensus about the safety of nuclear power. Ethical questions concerning radiation risks and the transportation and disposal of nuclear waste are major causes of concern which have not been fully addressed.

"As Christians, we seek an energy strategy which reflects love of the Creator, expresses care for the whole Creation, and is informed by Christian principles of care, peacemaking, justice and love for our neighbours."

CEL warned that a new generation of nuclear power stations "will not significantly reduce CO2 emissions, and yet will cost (including development and decontamination) at least £100 billion and deliver too late".

It proposed investment in energy reduction and conservation, and stated that renewable forms of energy such as solar, wind and wave power "would deliver far greater reductions in CO2 emissions, far sooner".

CEL is pressing the Government to bring in new legislation that will dramatically reduce energy consumption. Their suggestions include an immediate ban on the manufacture of standby buttons in all electrical goods, thus saving 8 per cent of the domestic electricity currently used.

A ban on the manufacture of inefficient light bulbs would save the same amount of energy per year as would be produced by two nuclear power plants, CEL said.

The ministry is also urging the Government to step up its "current paltry investment in renewables ... to a level that will not only fulfil our nation's duty to the Earth in terms of our contribution to climate change, but will also lead the world towards a truly sustainable way of living".