Federal light globe plan means no need for nuclear power

The Wilderness Society Inc
Media Release
20 February 2007

A new Federal Government plan to replace inefficient incandescent light globes with energy saving bulbs would take away the need for a nuclear power plant in Australia, said the Wilderness Society today.

National Campaigns Director Alec Marr congratulated the Government on adopting the plan which the Wilderness Society suggested last year at the launch of the Switkowski report which proposed 25 new nuclear reactors for Australia. 

"The energy that will be saved just by switching to energy-efficient globes across Australia is equal to the amount that would be produced by a nuclear power plant," said Mr. Marr.

"This simple measure will decrease greenhouse emissions by up to two million tonnes and provide radical energy savings, without leaving the legacy of toxic radioactive waste that is produced by nuclear power plants."

"Even further greenhouse emission savings could be made by extending protection for Australian native forests and woodlands."

"Deforestation causes ten percent of Australia's greenhouse emissions, with tree-clearing in Queensland alone equal to the pollution from 7.4 million cars."

"Protecting our forests and woodlands would also help to ensure the survival of countless native Australian bird and animal species.

"It is obvious that we do not need nuclear energy in Australia when simple solutions to climate change — like changing a light bulb, or saving a tree — are staring us in the face."