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Taking Action: Write to your Mayor

The mayors of more than 5200 cities in 153 countries have joined the Mayors for Peace network calling for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons by 2020. The mayors speak on behalf of close to one billion people. Is your city or town affiliated with Mayors for Peace? If not, urge your mayor to join. If your city or town is already affiliated, ask your mayor to write to another mayor about joining.

Sample letter

Request to join the network:

Dear Mayor,

I am writing as a resident concerned about the threat posed by nuclear weapons. There are still roughly 20,000 of these immoral, illegal and inhuman devices in the world, with cities and towns among the intended targets. Most governments have acknowledged the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, and yet there is still no comprehensive treaty to prohibit them and provide for their elimination.

To counter this constant danger, mayors have joined together in Mayors for Peace. As a mayor, you have the responsibility to protect residents of this district. The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated – anywhere. I encourage you to join the Mayors for Peace network of over 5200 mayors in 153 nations calling for a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons. The network’s website is: www.mayorsforpeace.org.

Yours sincerely,

4 great alternatives to nuclear power

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The Fukushima nuclear plant accident has raised concern among many people. They are now searching for clean energy alternatives. Here ar four alternatives to nuclear power.

1. Thorium

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In Turkey, India, Australia, and United States, Thorium holds 59% of the world’s reserves. Thorium that are mined can be used as a fuel, whereas, only 1% of the mined uranium is used as a fuel. Thorium produces less waste and is safter than uranium.

2. Solar Power

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Solar energy is inexhaustible. It is the best alternative source of energy. Solar panels can be used to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar energy can be used as transport fuel. A technology called solar gasification is used. In this process, concentrated solar power is applied to heat biomass to temperatures of 2,370 degrees Fahrenheit. This produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide which can be further processed to diesel fuel and gasoline.

3. Natural Gas

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It can be used as transport fuel. It is better than oil. It emits less carbon and other pollutants into the air when it is burned. We now have the technolgy to release huge amounts of natural gas that is locked up in shale rock.

4. Hydrogen

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Hydrogen burns clean. It is three times more efficient than a gasoline powered engine. It can be used along with a fuel cell to provide transport. Hydrogen can be processed through biomass, fossil fuels or by electrolyzing water.

There are many alternatives available in place of nuclear power. Some of these have been available for decades. It’s clear we should start using them instead of nuclear power.

This is why you must be part of a nuclear-free world cause

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Nuclear energy can have extremely harmful effects that will not be possible to repair in future. Here are the reasons why you must e a part if a nuclear-free world.

1. Humanitarian consideration

It is become a necessity to abolish nuclear weapons. There will be a catastrophic consequence if you use any nuclear weapons. Effects of radiation on people may cause suffering and death, even for many years after the explosion.

2. Security

Nuclear weapons pose a threat to individuals. Instead of having peace, it develops fear and mistreats among different nations. Threats of terrorism, climate change, etc. will increase.

3. Environmental impact

Nuclear weapons can destroy all complex forms of life. Only 0.1% of the explosive yield will result in famine and devastating agricultural collapse. The smoke and dust produced can cause a huge drop in global temperatures and rainfall.

4. Economic impact

The building of nuclear weapons diverts public funds from education, healthcare, and other important sectors. Nations with nuclear power spend more than US$105 billion every year on maintaining the nuclear arsenals. Despite this huge amount of expenditure behind using nuclear forces, some countries are contnuing to invest more money on it. We should redirect these funds to spend in meeting the basic needs of people.

These impacts of a nuclear weapon are serious. They must be addressed immediately and we should vote for a nuclear-free world. With the level of destruction in causes to the environment and human health, it is time to eliminate nuclear weapons using a comprehensive treaty. If it is not done soon, we won’t be able to save our earth from the destructive power of nuclear forces.

Five reasons why nuclear energy will destroy the planet

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Nuclear energy is used to produce electricity, without using up the world’s natural sources of energy like fossil fuels. But it looks like that the nuclear energy is doing more harm than good. Here are five reasons why nuclear energy will destroy our planet.

1. Nuclear energy will not be able to fulfill the needs of electricity. Nuclear power is expensive, and it ‘s hard to get rid of the waste produced. Countries who are depending on nuclear energy are not thinking of any alternative means of generating electricity. So, eventually, they will be using up their money on nuclear plant production without any fruitful result.

2. Nuclear power station uses up many resources. It needs many rare metals in the construction. So, if we continue constructing nuclear power plants, there will soon be depletion of these precious metals, and it will affect the environment.

3. About 20.5 km2 of land is required to construct one nuclear plant. The nuclear power station, enrichment plant, exclusion zone, ore processing, etc. must be accommodated in this space. The nuclear reactors also need to be located away from population zones. 15,000 such locations are required to fulfill the requirements of nuclear energy. This is difficult to find.

4. Nuclear power station must e decommissioned after 40 to 50 years of operation. This is because cracks develop on the metal surfaces because of radiation. If you need to replace nuclear stations every 50 years, then every day one nuclear plant must be built. It takes 6 to 12 years to develop a nuclear station and 20 years to decommision one station. So, the rate of replacing nuclear plant is unrealistic.

5. There are chances of accidents due to the construction of nuclear power plants. So, far 11 nuclear accidents have taken place. These accidents cannot be stopped even with the improved safety technology. If we can build 15, 000 reactors, then we can expect a major accident in some part of the world every month.

With the cost, resource requirements and complexity over nuclear power, it is better to invest our money elsewhere. It’s time we start searching for alternatives.

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