Environmental Groups Protest Against Nuclear Power Extension
Environmental organizations and anti-nuclear initiatives called for protests against the German Atomforum's winter meeting in Berlin. The aim was to symbolically place "quarantine" on the nuclear industry's propaganda by surrounding the event.
Berlin – Several German environmental and anti-nuclear citizen groups called for protests against the German Atomforum's winter meeting held in Berlin in early February 2009. Protesters aimed to symbolically place "quarantine" on the nuclear industry's propaganda by surrounding the event with a human chain.
Critics argue that extending the operating lives of aging nuclear power plants increases the risk of large-scale disasters in Germany and exacerbates the problem of nuclear waste disposal. The organizations contend that continued nuclear use hinders the transition to renewable energy sources. "Those who advocate for extending the operating lives of old nuclear power plants inevitably block the path towards a modern energy system," stated Rainer Baake, Federal Managing Director of Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH).
Baake emphasized the risk of major accidents, which makes the continued operation of nuclear power plants irresponsible. He pointed out that the renewable energy sector, according to its own assessment, could supply nearly half of Germany's electricity demand by 2020. The necessary infrastructure for this requires flexibility in grid management, something traditional nuclear and coal-fired power plants cannot provide, according to Baake.
Environmental organizations are calling for an immediate phase-out of nuclear energy. "The operation of nuclear power plants is and remains irresponsible," commented Klaus Brunsmeier, Deputy Chairman of BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany). He also highlighted the unresolved issue of nuclear waste final disposal and stressed that the aging of old reactors increases the risk of accidents according to statistics. The organizations believe companies pursue significant additional profits by keeping old facilities running, while the risk of accidents and immense costs are borne by society.
The protest organizers, including Campact, .ausgestrahlt, and nixatom, expressed frustration with politicians' actions and emphasized the need for direct public pressure. They stated that nuclear power can no longer win elections in 2009. The event's objective was to symbolically "quarantine" the nuclear lobby's claims and urge nuclear power opponents to participate in the demonstration.