The nuclear sector needs to do more to gain the confidence of the public if it is to become a driving force in the UK’s response to climate change. That was the message from renowned carbon footprinting expert Mike Berners-Lee at the second warm-up event to September’s Cumbria Nuclear Conference, hosted by Carlisle MP John Stevenson. Speaking to representatives from the business and education communities gathered at Rheged, near Penrith, he challenged the sector to prove nuclear power was safe and that it could help to the UK to develop a greener energy mix. Mr Berners-Lee said the UK would never be able to utilise the massive potential of solar energy because of its climate and with other forms of energy making negligible contributions, nuclear had the potential to play an important role in an energy mix that did not include fossil fuels. “There is a lot stronger case for nuclear in the UK than in other countries,” he said “My challenge would be for the sector to gain trust – to be honest about the cons as well as the pros – and have a really robust debate about why nuclear power is needed. If you get it right, then you will even have the Green Party supporting nuclear.”
In Cumbria 25th May 2018 read more »
