Nuclear energy is not a 'climate solution' for Pacific nations

OPINION: Boy, there is an extraordinary piece out from RNZ this week about Palau's President Sir Surangel Whipps Jr. advocating, get this, nuclear energy as a climate solution.

Now, might I remind you, this is the leader of an island nation.

And it's baffling to me, given just how controversial and corrosive nuclear energy can be if not handled correctly.

Now, while it's true, of course, that fossil fuels dominate the global energy supply, nobody's arguing that.

The climate crisis does demand alternative solutions.

The notion, to me, of an island nation advocating for nuclear energy raises some eyebrows. Mine.

Now, nuclear energy, of course, it's low carbon. But it does not come without its risks. In fact, it has inherent risks. We know of it.

If history is any guide, high costs to radioactive waste management, a lot could go wrong with nuclear energy.

Moreover, the push for renewable energy sources like solar and wind makes more sense to me than something like nuclear power.

Watch Will's Word below

Now, Whipps' call for practical solutions, I get it, I understand it, of course.

But not focusing on nuclear. It is not the way to go about it, frankly.

And I see Australia, the Opposition, Peter Dutton has been calling for nuclear power there too, or an increased presence of nuclear power in Australia. Again, going backwards.

Of course, the climate crisis demands alternatives to fossil fuels. No one is arguing that.

But it also requires common sense and choices that won't cause harm. And to me, nuclear energy is just as bad as fossil fuels.

That's Will's Word.