Today the government announced 11 potential sites for new nuclear power stations. Nuclear power is often defended as a low carbon source of energy production however environmental groups are up in arms claiming nuclear energy is not the ‘right’ focus for carbon reduction efforts.

Although nuclear energy is not sustainable (it results in waste and decommissioning problems which will have to be dealt with eventually) or renewable (it uses up Uranium in the process) it does release less carbon than other traditional energy sources. Nuclear technology is also readily available and does not need to be developed and one plant can produce a high amount of energy.

Personally I think it is madness to dedicate funds to an energy source which will definitely store up issues for the future. Instead the government should dedicate serious resources to renewable development. In times of war technology develops at a far higher rate – because leaders provide both drive and resources – the government needs to get behind the renewable sector and provide the push which will result in a truly viable renewable alternative.