My Life, My Adventure

Last December, together we welcomed the long-awaited enactment of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law, signaling that the Philippines is on track towards ensuring a sustainable future powered by renewable energy.

Unfortunately, a dangerous specter is hanging over the successful deployment of renewable energy in the country - the nuclear energy industry and its false claims, has swayed some of our congressmen who have begun talking of waking up a demon from the past, the Bataan Nuclear power plant (BNPP).

Nuclear energy is as dangerous and as expensive as it was two decades ago. The Bataan site is as vulnerable to seismic shifts as it was two decades ago. And no, Nuclear energy does not in any way address the issue of climate change or energy security

But despite mounting opposition from people and cautionary notices from experts, these ‘nuclear’ congressmen are pushing the Congress to vote on the revival of the BNPP, before it closes in the first week of June.

On the 23rd and 24th of May, Greenpeace is staging a bicycle rally that will start in Morong, Bataan, the site of the mothballed BNPP and collect messages of opposition of opposition to BNPP to deliver to Congress on May 25th.

We need as many voices as possible to remind the Philippine Congress that they are accountable to us. That is why we need you to sign NOW and support this important message!

* Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change. Renewable energy and energy efficiency deliver much larger reductions in carbon emissions.

* Nuclear power is dangerous. From the mining of radioactive uranium fuel, to its transport and use for nuclear power, and finally up to its disposal, nuclear power creates a radioactive and toxic cycle, which up till now there are no solutions.

* Nuclear Power is expensive. Building, operating and maintaining nuclear power plants cost more than most renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

* Nuclear power is not the solution. The key to energy security and climate change is Renewable Energy and energy efficiency. And the best thing about it is: we already have a renewable energy law - so we don’t need to revive outdated technology like the BNPP!

We need to tell the congress we don’t want nuclear power!

If you want to tell Congress that you don’t want nuclear power sign in and we’ll make sure your message is delivered.

Your voice and those of your family, friends and colleagues will count!

Tags: Bataan Nuclear power plant, Greenpeace, nuclear energy, Nuclear power, nukes, Renewable Energy

No to Coal! Renewable Energy Now!

In a joint press conference with Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (RISE) in Iloilo City, the environment group announced that it was joining the local communities struggle to stop the construction of the coal-fired plant in Iloilo City.

“The Iloilo coal plant should not be built. We challenge President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be true to her word and ‘assume the mantle of leadership and work to address the challenge of climate change.’” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Climate and Energy Campaigner Jasper Inventor. “You can’t talk sustainable energy solutions while peddling coal on the side–it’s complete hypocrisy.” he added

Coal is the dirtiest, most carbon intensive of all fossil fuels. Emitting 29 percent more carbon per unit of energy than oil and 80 percent more than gas, it is one of the leading contributors to climate change. Burning coal also releases massive amounts of substances such as mercury and arsenic that are toxic to human health and create acutely detrimental effects on developing economies and hosting communities.

However, the government currently has at least eight coal-fired plants lined up for construction or expansion in the country: 165 MW in Iloilo City, Iloilo, 300 MW expansion in Pagbilao, Quezon Province, 200 MW each in Naga and Toledo Cities in Cebu, 300 MW expansion in Masinloc, Zambales, 100 MW in Concepcion, Iloilo, 300 MW in Olongapo, Zambales, and 150 MW in Sultan Kudarat.

“Coal-fired power plants already account for 36% of the country’s total CO2 emissions, it is time that the RP government gets serious about exploiting the renewable energy sources that are abundant in our country. Sun, wind and geothermal energy tapping technologies are ready to deliver, what is needed is political will to deploy them.” Inventor said.

source: Greenpeace SEAsia

Tags: climate change, Coal, Coal-fired Power Plant, Coal-fired Power Plant in Iloilo City, global warming, Renewable Energy, RISE