it's 2008, and the coldest winter on record The nation is in crisis as the poor and elderly die in their thousands.

Transcription

1 it's 2008, and the coldest winter on record The nation is in crisis as the poor and elderly die in their thousands. 1 Britain depends on foreign gas imports to generate electricity. But gas supply cannot meet demand. And prices have rocketed it's now 3000 just to heat your home over the winter. The new government is taking decisive action

2 it's 2008, and the coldest winter on record 2 We will build ten new nuclear power stations as soon as possible. No other energy source can meet Britain's growing demands for electricity. No other energy source is as reliable. Why nuclear? We have no other No other energy source is as safe or as clean. It's coming soon for you!

3 Terrorist target? Nuclear power? No thanks! 3 Terrorist target Nuclear power? No thanks! Uranium mines toxic waste Uranium transport Nuclear waste: still a killer in 10,000 years greenhouse gases Kids need windmills, not cancer

4 Are you OK with living near a nuclear power station? The government wants to build one near YOU. You will speak at the local Planning Enquiry. 4 Use the argument grid to sort your cards Decide if you are FOR or AGAINST the power station Use the most relevant cards to plan your argument. You must: 1 Summarise the problem 2 Present your evidence 3 State your solution 4 Say why it will work Roles: Generates electricity Sells nuclear fuel A local family Planning Enquiry Campaigns for renewable energy Greenpeace Planning Enquiry organisers and chairperson

5 Fossil fuel prices are rocketing. Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Lecki-4-All Your company generates, distributes and sells electricity For many years, Britain did not trust Russia. Burning fossil fuels makes carbon dioxide. This 'greenhouse gas' contributes to global warming. Fossil fuels now generate 75% of Britain's electricity. Role 1 5 Fossil fuel power stations belong to the last century. Burning fossil fuels makes sulfur dioxide. This causes asthma attacks. It is not right that some people must suffer so that we can all have electricity. Nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide. Building new nuclear power stations will create jobs. Fossil fuel reserves are running out. Britain depends on Russian gas imports to generate electricity. Russia could cut off the gas supply at any time. Nuclear power stations and fossil fuel power stations are equally efficient.

6 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Role 2 6 Nuclear power now generates 20% of British electricity. The atomic reactors in all British nuclear power stations will stop working by Building new nuclear power stations will create jobs. Nuclear power stations are attractive to look at. As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for electricity. There is enough nuclear fuel in the world to supply British nuclear power stations for many years. We know that some people do not support nuclear power. But it is the best solution for the majority of British people. France generates around 80% of its nuclear power. We don't want to get left behind. One nuclear power station costs 6 billion to build, but private companies will pay for them. Nuclear power stations do not make carbon dioxide. So they do not contribute to global warming. Britain could generate all of its renewable resources. But this would be very expensive.

7 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Your company sells nuclear fuel Role 3 7 Nuclear power is safe. There has never been a serious accident in Britain. Nuclear electricity is exactly the same as fossil fuel electricity. Sweden generates half its nuclear power. We don't want to get left behind. Nuclear workers' exposure to radioactivity is monitored carefully. Wildlife flourishes near nuclear power stations. Some even have nature reserves. Nuclear power now generates 20% of British electricity. The atomic reactors in all British nuclear power stations will stop working by Power stations dispose of their waste safely. Low Level Waste goes to landfill sites that are lined to prevent leaks. Intermediate Level Waste is chopped up and mixed with concrete. It is stored in secure stainless steel containers. It is not right to risk the lives of the poor and elderly who cannot afford electricity generated from fossil fuels. A nuclear power station is the best thing that could happen to this area. It is cheaper to generate electricity from nuclear power (8 p/unit) than from solar power (70 p/unit).

8 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: You live near a proposed nuclear power station with your partner and young children. Role 4 8 It would bring in new jobs for nuclear scientists, office workers and canteen staff. Some people are nervous of working at a nuclear power station, even though very little radiation gets out of the reactor core and workers are constantly monitored. We know people who died this winter because they couldn't afford enough electricity to heat their houses. Russia already generates more nuclear power than Britain does we must not get left behind. If radiation leaks out, people nearby have an increased risk of getting cancer. Trains will take High Level Waste away from the power station. A train crash would be disastrous. Nuclear power stations are terrorist targets. Many people will use the the power station. But those who live nearby are at risk from pollution and accidents. It is not fair for everyone to benefit when only some take the risk. House prices will fall near nuclear power stations. If radiation leaks into the sea, fish and birds will die.

9 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Role 5 Your organisation campaigns for renewable energy 9 Nuclear fuel is not renewable. Mining it makes toxic waste. Fossil fuels are expensive and their supply is unreliable. It is not right to create nuclear waste that will put people in danger for thousands of years. Mining and transporting nuclear fuel makes carbon dioxide. This contributes to global warming. Renewable energy provides electricity cleanly and safely. It is cheaper to generate the wind (2 p/unit) than to use nuclear power (8 p/unit). Britain has excellent sites for generating wind and tides. Once generators are built, there are no fuel costs. Wind turbines are beautiful. Electricity demand would go down if people wasted less 7% of household electricity could be saved by not leaving appliances on standby. Generating renewables creates more jobs than generating it from nuclear power.

10 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Role 6 Greenpeace 10 Nuclear reactors produce radioactive waste. The waste will still be dangerous in 10,000 years. It is not right to make future generations suffer because of our actions now. Britain could not supply all the electricity that people wanted this winter. It is very expensive to clean up old nuclear power stations. Terrorists could easily blow up a nuclear power station. People living near them will live in fear. Nuclear reactors pump radioactive pollution into the sea and air. This travels hundreds of kilometres, exposing wildlife and people to deadly radiation. Investing in energy conservation would create more jobs than nuclear power. The government of Italy rejects nuclear power. We should go along with what others in Europe think. Ten nuclear reactors would deliver only a 4% cut in carbon emissions by Like fossil fuel power stations, nuclear power stations lose over 66% of the energy in their fuel as heat. More is wasted in sending it down power lines. Only 22% of the original energy ends up being used. Denmark makes 50% of its electricity in smallscale local wind, solar and water generators. We should go along with what others in Europe think.

11 Nuclear Planning Enquiry: Planning Enquiry organisers and chairperson Role 7 11 You will lead the discussion at the Planning Enquiry. Planning Enquiry You must not show a bias for or against building the nuclear power station. 1 Before the debate, plan a sensible order for the speakers. Decide how to introduce them. 3 At the end of all the talks, invite each group to ask one question. Choose the best group to answer it. 2 After a group has spoken, summarise the main arguments for and against their proposal. 4 Get people to vote FOR or AGAINST the power station. Count the votes and announce the decision. Roles: Generates electricity Campaigns for renewable energy Greenpeace Sells nuclear fuel A local family Planning Enquiry Planning Enquiry organisers and chairperson

12 Role Planning Enquiry the arguments Main arguments Argument types For or against? Questions, risks, uncertainties 12

13 Argument grid13 Scientific: Based on scientific evidence Social: How will the power station affect people's lives? Economic: Based on money Ethical: Based on principles or morals Environmental: How will the power station affect wildlife? Will it cause pollution? Emotional: Based on people's feelings Cards that state the problem