Diplomacy Vs Activism: The Big Debate Around Nuclear Power

Photo: Daniel Beilinson

Stakeholders disagree about energy policy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to eliminate nuclear power in Germany, but others criticized her efforts; environmentalists, no less. Some support global agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, which limits fossil fuel power, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which regulates nuclear power through the International Atomic Energy Agency. Others argue that international treaties impinge on state sovereignty.

Photo: Äänestä ydinvoima historiaan

Even the preferred methods for advocating energy policies vary. Greenpeace has a history of high-profile activities that sometimes break the law. A US judge ordered Greenpeace to stay at least 500 meters away from ships working for Shell after Greenpeace illegally boarded two ships that the oil company depended on. Unafraid of the consequences, Greenpeace defied this court order.

Photo: Tobin

Greenpeace firmly opposes nuclear power, stating that it is impossible to produce nuclear power in an environmentally friendly manner. It organizes campaigns in many countries to stop nuclear power production. The Business Recorder wrote about Greenpeace's campaign in South Korea against the 20 nuclear reactors that supply 35% of South Korea's energy. Greenpeace activists planned to boat on theEsperanza after arriving in South Korea.

Photo: Tzuhsun Hsu

However, according to the Business Recorder article, authorities interfered with Greenpeace's plans. South Korea deported two Greenpeace activists in early April. Undeterred, a third Greenpeace activist tried his luck. South Korean authorities intercepted him at the Incheon International Airport near Seoul, South Korea and deported him. A statement released by Greenpeace about South Korea's efforts to block its campaign said, "This simply does not match its long-established democratic tradition."

Photo: Takver

Iran has announced plans to build nuclear power plants. Although the USA, Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany insist that Iran has a right to nuclear power plants, many suspect that Iran is developing nuclear weapons in violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In autumn of 2011, the International Atomic Energy Agency report indicated that Iran is almost certainly developing nuclear weapons.

Photo: Victimiser13

While the principle of national sovereignty requires diplomats to remain neutral about environmental policies in nations far from their homelands, Greenpeace is a private organization with the right to influence policies in all countries through peaceful protests. In 2007, Greenpeace activists sailed on theRainbow Warrior hoping to land in Bushehr, Iran and present alternatives to nuclear power. This campaign did not go as far as the other two. The Greenpeace website says, "At the last minute, the ship was refused entry into Bushehr by the Iranian authorities." Keeping the world safe from nuclear radiation may be a lofty goal, but the devil is in the details.