Saturday, November 04, 2006

Climate changes - and our energy

October was a fantastic month. The warmest in Belgium since 1875. The same in several other countries - including the Nordic area. But BUUM: the last few days especially the Nordic countries have experienced a cold polar storm coming from the north. With lots of huge floods as a result. In Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, etc. Thousands of houses close to the coasts were invaded by masses of water within minutes. Horses and sheep were drowing in many places.

Why does our climate seem to be upside down? Heat, storms, cold, floods. You name it. It's there. And there is certainly more to come.

One serious report after the other is published giving the reason (or at least one of the main reasons): there is far too much CO2 (carbondioxide) in the atmosphere. Why? Because our enormous use of oil, petrol, coal and similar energy sources creates this situation.

Everybody seems to agree that we have to turn the tide. To do differently. Not least to change our use of these damaging energy sources.

Many talk about increasing the use of wind energy. Yes, absolutely. Denmark gets 20 % of its energy from wind. More can be done by everybody in this area.

But honestly: isn't it time now to reconsider our attitude also to nuclear energy? A pure, now safe and efficient energy source.

Or are we not (yet) mentally mature enough to do that??! Are we still so much under the extreme-fear-pressure that we will all be contaminated?

I hope not. I am very happy to live in Belgium, where about half of our electricity comes from the country's own six nuclear power station. And if the government needs a place for a 7th installation, I will be happy to let them rent my garden for it!

Let's get out of our "I-am-SO-afraid"-puppet. Let's diversify our energy supply - with more wind and with more nuclear!