Nuclear reactors and reprocessing plants were first designed and created to produce plutonium - for nuclear weapons. Electricity was simply a by-product.
The first nuclear power station in Britain was built at Calder Hall in Cumbria, in 1953. And when this was connected to the national grid in 1956, it became the first nuclear power station in the world to provide electricity.
Today there are 12 nuclear power stations operating in the UK, generating a quarter of the nation's electricity. Many still use aged Magnox reactors identical to, and including, the one built at Calder Hall. They were only designed for a maximum of 20 to 25 years use, and yet the oldest stations are now more than 40 years old.
The UK government is beginning to talk about nuclear power as the energy source of the future. The argument is that nuclear power stations produce less carbon dioxide (the main contributor to global warming) sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen (responsible for acid rain) than fossil-fuelled stations. Weigh this up against the severe long-term dangers to human health, the environment, and global security - caused by the production, transport, storage and reprocessing of highly radioactive nuclear materials - and the stupidity of the argument becomes clear.
The first nuclear power station in Britain was built at Calder Hall in Cumbria, in 1953. And when this was connected to the national grid in 1956, it became the first nuclear power station in the world to provide electricity.
Today there are 12 nuclear power stations operating in the UK, generating a quarter of the nation's electricity. Many still use aged Magnox reactors identical to, and including, the one built at Calder Hall. They were only designed for a maximum of 20 to 25 years use, and yet the oldest stations are now more than 40 years old.
The UK government is beginning to talk about nuclear power as the energy source of the future. The argument is that nuclear power stations produce less carbon dioxide (the main contributor to global warming) sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen (responsible for acid rain) than fossil-fuelled stations. Weigh this up against the severe long-term dangers to human health, the environment, and global security - caused by the production, transport, storage and reprocessing of highly radioactive nuclear materials - and the stupidity of the argument becomes clear.
