On 26 April 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded, spewing uncontrolled radiation across Europe and beyond.
Chernobyl caused massive human, environmental and economic impacts. The ongoing clean-up is set to continue for another four decades, with parts of the exclusion zone likely to remain uninhabitable for many hundreds of years.
Against the shadow of Chernobyl, Peter Dutton's proposal to build nuclear power plants at seven sites around the country could put up to 200,000 Australians in direct danger.
Advocacy group Don't Nuke the Climate has produced an online resource based on real world data from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan. This detail has been transposed to Australia to help people understand the extent of nuclear contamination from a potential reactor accident.
The maps at www.nuclearplume.au show how far radioactive fallout from a Fukushima-sized accident would spread under different wind conditions from the seven sites identified for nuclear reactor by the federal Coalition. They highlight how a nuclear accident at one of the proposed reactor sites would affect nearby communities, including schools and hospitals.
Don't Nuke the Climate is sharing this research to assist with evidence-based decision making that reduces nuclear risks and prioritises environmental responsibility and a safe future ahead of the coming federal election.
Attributable statements:
Dave Sweeney – Nuclear analyst, Australian Conservation Foundation – 0408 317 812
'Australia should heed the lessons of Chernobyl and Fukushima and keep the door shut on domestic nuclear power. Nuclear isn't just dangerous, it's an irresponsible distraction from real climate action that makes no economic or environmental sense in Australia'.
'Instead of the threat of radiation blowing in the wind we should be using the wind to generate clean electricity. Australia's energy future is renewable, not radioactive'.
Dr Jim Green – Nuclear campaigner, Friends of the Earth Australia – 0417 318 368
'Emergency Leaders for Climate Action recently warned that nuclear reactors would introduce significant and unnecessary risk to Australian communities and emergency responders, including firefighters already stretched by escalating climate fuelled disasters'.
'The Coalitions nuclear push is risky and reckless. It is a high cost, high risk thought bubble, not a credible national energy policy'.
www.nuclearplume.au - modelling based on actual Fukushima radioactive contamination data transposed to potential Australian nuclear sites
