From The Associated Press
An excerpt from recent editorials in newspapers in the world:
On U.S. nuclear power:
A world worried about climate change needs a strong signal from a powerful leader to take the next step in tackling the problem. U.S. President Barack Obama's announcement of loan guarantees to build his country's first nuclear reactors for three decades is such a beacon. Safety concerns have kept many democratic states from ending bans on the technology. His giving the go-ahead proclaims in the clearest possible way that it is time to set aside reticence.
Debate rages over the best alternatives to the fossil fuels blamed for causing rising temperatures. Heavy investments have been made in hydro, wind and solar plants. ... But for all the talk of alternatives to fossil fuels, only one -- nuclear -- can reliably generate electricity to satisfy the energy intensive lifestyles that virtually all communities desire.
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Obama well knows this. With half of the U.S.' electricity coming from the most polluting fuel, coal, he has made weaning citizens onto alternatives a priority. Emissions from the combustion of oil, gas and biofuels cause pollution and have been blamed for global warming. ... The 104 U.S. nuclear stations in operation produce 20 per cent of the nation's power with minimal climatic consequences. ...
Obama has sent a signal the world needs to hear. ... Other nations have to follow suit. Better alternatives may yet be found, but until they are, nuclear is the most viable option to produce electricity.
-- South China Morning Post,Hong Kong
