Friends of the Earth Brisbane

Anti-nuclear Collective

Mobile:  0413 397 839

Media Release

Nuclear is environmentally irresponsible

 
Friends of the Earth Brisbane believe the statement by WWF's CEO Greg Bourne that Australia is "destined under all governments to be mining uranium and exporting it” is out of line with his own organisation whose stated purpose is to: “To conserve the natural environment and ecological processes worldwide.”

 “The reality is that uranium is currently mined in Australia and nuclear power is used in some parts of the world.   The fact that an industry exists is, however, no reason to support its perpetuation.   Should the community have perpetuated the asbestos industry simply because the infrastructure was in place?”  stated Friends of the Earth Brisbane spokesperson, Kim Stewart

 Friends of the Earth Brisbane call for a total ban on uranium mining in Australia.

 
“Uranium mining is detrimental to the environment, creating huge amounts of radioactive waste in the form of tailings at the site,   poisoning groundwater and destroying indigenous culture.  The process, which ultimately leads to intractable waste and nuclear weapons, is contrary in all senses to ‘conservation of our natural environment and processes.”

 “In line with their mission, WWF International is actually calling for a phasing out of the nuclear power industry, not its support.  We would like to see WWF Australia follow suit,” Ms. Stewart added.

“Energy diversification is the future. Rather than thinking about the small profit possible from uranium mining, Australia should be looking to the advantages of developing its sustainable energy industry and protecting its unique environment.  Uranium should be left in the ground.”

For more information or interviews:

Friends of the Earth Brisbane Anti-nuclear Collective:  Kim Stewart 0413 397 839

See also the Australia Institute’s Report “Taming the Panda”

http://www.tai.org. /Publications_Files/DP_Files/DP68.pdf

 
*An October 2005 Morgan poll showed that 70% of Australians are opposed to uranium minin