This is my personal nuclear-free zone, with all kinds of suggestions about how we can help save our beautiful planet - by getting rid of all things nuclear, and supporting energy technologies which are good for us and the planet, and do not have toxic side effects! Plus other good stuff we can do to make Earth a better home for ALL who live here!
I created this page as an adjunct to the August 2006 "Nature, Nukes and Nationalism" evening at Luna Star Literary Salon, which I co-produced with Salon Founder Laura McDermott. It was a very cool, meaningful and fun evening, here's a review and a few photos.
Just speaking for myself, I much prefer Flute Fusion to Nuclear Fusion! The problem with nukes is two-fold: nuclear weapons and nuclear power. My musician friend Grant Livingston, who has a degree in Physics, thinks nuclear technology could possibly be made safe enough to use, but as he puts it,"we're too stupid to have nuclear power." But hey, even some of the really smart people who invented nuclear bombs in the first place regretted it, and thought they had made a mistake by inventing this technology.
For example, Albert Einstein, who said: "I made one mistake in my life when I signed that letter to President Roosevelt advocating that the atomic bomb should be built." He also said: "I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. . . . Every war merely enlarges the chain of vicious circles which impedes the progress of mankind. . . . We must begin to inoculate our children against militarism by educating them in the spirit of pacifism." After Truman dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Einstein said: "If I had known they were going to do this, I would have become a shoemaker."
With nuclear weapons, we now have the ability to easily destroy all life on Earth (and some other places too!) That's just too easy for us fallible human beings! I think anyone who's ever watched the TV show "Cops" will understand why human beings just should not have nuclear weapons.
Nuclear plants are no better. There are plenty of other ways to produce electricity that do not involve possibly killing all of us and polluting the Earth for the next couple millenia! I'm oversimplifying these issues just a tad, but I think when it comes to nuclear stuff, the answer is really very simple: No Nukes is Good Nukes! If you're not sure about this, then please, do your own research and come to your own conclusions on this issue! There's plenty of information on the websites listed below, or find sources of information you trust.
Did you know that at this very moment, power consortiums are trying to obtain construction and operating licenses to build new nuclear plants in Florida (and around the US)? I happened, purely by chance, upon this stunning piece of news on a Nuclear Energy Institute web page entitled Industry Progress Toward Building New Nuclear Plants:
"Progress Energy plans to submit two COL applications in 2008, one for its Harris Nuclear Plant site in North Carolina and one for a site to be selected in Florida....
In 2005, the NuStart Energy LLC consortium (11 including Progress and FPL) chose TVA's Bellefonte nuclear plant site and Entergy's Grand Gulf site for COL applications, expected to be submitted in 2007."
Personally, I have a Zero Tolerance Policy when it comes to nuclear plants! So when I saw that information, I knew it was time to renew my activism on nuclear issues. And since then, we are hearing more and more about industry attempts to build new nuclear plants, as they try to sell the dangerously false idea that nuclear is "clean" energy.
I've started performing my song "No Nukes Swing" again recently, and unfortunately, it's just as topical now as it was when I wrote it in the 1970's. In the great folk tradition, I update the lyrics with current info from time to time, and as I was looking through some old copies of the lyrics the other day, I noticed that different versions of the song have referenced nuclear accidents and radiation leaks in Detroit, Chicago, Harrisburg and Chernobyl. So just in the short lifetime of this song, there have been a number of very serious problems at nuclear plants around the world. And these are just a few of the more well known incidents, but certainly not the only ones! So I remain convinced that we just cannot afford to use nuclear power as an energy source!
AND, this doesn't even address issues like how to keep nuclear materials in power plants from getting into the hands of people who want to build nuclear bombs (it's happened time and time again!) Or what to do with the products of nuclear plants which operate the way they're supposed to (without leaking, melting down or blowing up) - products like dangerously radioactive nuclear waste and decommissioned nuclear plants.
So here is Laura Sue’s Little Anti-Nuclear List - some great resources for learning and sharing. This list is in no way comprehensive, there are so many people doing wonderful work! Please let me know if you know of an organization doing good work in this area which should be listed here. I am especially interested in finding active anti-nuclear and environmental organizations working on Florida issues.
And do check back from time to time as I will be updating this page and adding new info and links! (and maybe some cartoons and other fun stuff!)
As always, please check out all non-profits and charities with a reputable charity checker like the ones on this page or using the methods on this page before donating your time and money to them!
Indian Point: Imagining the Unimaginable - A wonderful documentary shown on HBO. One of the many reasons we cannot afford nuclear power is nuclear plants' vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
Dr. Strangelove - I think this movie may be the reason I became the anti-nuclear activist I am today. I saw it as a young girl and it immediately became (and has remained) my favorite movie of all time. I highly recommend you see this movie!
Chernobyl Heart - Another great and very moving movie showing the horrific health consequences of nuclear plant accidents for young children.
Chernobyl Childrens Project International - The non-profit organization whose work is chronicled in "Chernobyl Heart", these amazing health workers are dedicated to providing humanitarian and medical aid to the 3 - 4 million children the United Nations recognizes as suffering from the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.
Nine Mile Point - Ah, Nine Mile Point.... I believe this may have been the first nuclear plant outside which I protested, conveniently located right on beautiful Lake Ontario in upstate New York.
Three Mile Island - You remember Three Mile Island, right? I sure do.... I was on tour when the accident there happened, and I remember walking the very cold, gray deserted winter streets of Chicago, alone, waiting for news, wondering if I would ever see my immediate family, all of whom live in Pennsylvania, again.
Tentative Description of a Dinner to Promote the Impeachment of President Eisenhower - by Lawrence Ferlinghetti - Possibly the best anti-nuclear poem ever written, I've been performing it since the 1960's.
Blue Vinyl - A superb movie on the dangers of vinyl siding to those who use it, those who make it, and those who live downstream. It's available for rent or sale, and is also shown from time to time on the Sundance Channel and elsewhere. I just watched it again for the third or fourth time and it is still great!
Who Killed the Electric Car? - Another incredibly entertaining and super-educational movie containing essential information for all of us who are interested in energy issues. Like Blue Vinyl, it can be rented or bought, and pops up now and then on cable. We hear time and time again that the reason we can't go 100% into safe, green energy technology is because cost-effective green energy technology has not been invented yet. The truth is, many extremely practical and clean energy technologies have been invented, implemented, and then bought out and destroyed. The electric car is a perfect example of this. Research the history of passenger trains in this country if you want to be completely flabbergasted, and find out just how long this kind of subterfuge has been going on!
Friends Committee on National Legislation - Nuclear Issues
Also available on this website: Still in the Shadow of Nuclear Weapons - great booklet available for free download or order
And the
Nuclear Calendar
The Why Files - What, Me Worry?
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - The Gold Standard, home of the almost 60-year-old Doomsday Clock.
The Federation of American Scientists - Weapons of Mass Destruction - The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) was formed in 1945 by atomic scientists from the Manhattan Project who felt that scientists, engineers and other innovators had an ethical obligation to bring their knowledge and experience to bear on critical national decisions, especially pertaining to the technology they unleashed - the Atomic Bomb.
Also on this site, Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century - I especially like their Bomb-a-City Calculator!
and Nuclear Fool - sorry - Fuel Cycle
Nuclear Information and Resource Service - 1998 marked the 20th anniversary of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. We were founded to be the national information and networking center for citizens and environmental activists concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, radiation and sustainable energy issues.
We still fulfill that core function, but have moved on both programatically and geographically. For example, we initiate large-scale organizing and public education campaigns on specific issues. Our Eastern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States Project is a massive effort to bring our technical expertise and strategic sense to grassroots environmental groups facing the most dangerous nuclear programs of all. For a brief description of our varied programs, click here.
Increasingly, we find ourselves working to build a truly international anti-nuclear/safe energy movement, while striving to meet an ever-increasing demand for our services in the United States.
NIRS relies on contributions from citizens across the world to support our efforts for a nuclear-free planet. Our 1999 base budget is about $500,000--to fully meet the needs of citizens groups across the globe will cost about $750,000. That's just about 5% of what the U.S. nuclear power industry alone will spend to promote new nuclear reactors, unsafe radioactive waste dumps, and an energy policy that threatens us all.
Fund for a Nuclear Free World
Council for a Livable World - Council for a Livable World has advocated for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction since 1962. Today, the Council continues in its original mandate to inform, educate and lobby for nuclear disarmament.
Physicans for Social Responsibility - A leading public policy organization, Physicans for Social Responsibility has launched a major campaign to educate the public about the risks of nuclear policies, and to promote genuine security through nuclear disarmament.
Union of Concerned Scientists - An independent nonprofit alliance working to bring about a safer world by eliminating the risks posed by nuclear arsenals, nuclear terrorism, and enhancing international dialogue on security issues.
Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) - A nonprofit organization that is dedicated to redirecting federal budget priorities away from the military and toward human needs.
An Inconvenient Truth - great film! It only touches briefly on nuclear issues but it’s all connected! Visit the website for 10 Things You Can Do To Stop Global Warming.
The Alliance for Climate Protection - Al Gore is chairing this new non-profit, and profits from DVD and book sales of "An Inconvenient Truth" are supporting this organization. Lots of good action steps on this website!
51 Nightingales - My personal peace program
Move On - Very well organized political activists, working on lots of great issues!
Bonnie Raitt - Bonnie Raitt has been active in No Nukes and Safe Energy issues for decades! She always has information on her website about important environmental and other initiatives. From August 2007: A WARMING WORLD: No to Nukes (L.A. Times) - Read the Editorial in the L.A. Times that prompted Bonnie, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash to write this Letter to the Editor regarding the threat of building new nuclear power plants.
Nuke Free - Great group working to end the use of nuclear technology - plants and weapons - in our world and promote the use of clean, safe energy sources. Current campaign as of October 2007: Remove the massive nuclear industry bailout from the Energy Bill currently in Congress. Want to stay informed about current nuclear issues? Visit their great and very up-to-date news and facts pages! From their website: "The Senate version of the Energy Bill now pending in Congress could authorize virtually unlimited loan guarantees for backers of new nuclear reactors – effectively, a blank check, at taxpayer expense. Besides the fact that reactors are vulnerable to terrorist attacks, human error in operation, and earthquakes, there is also no solution to the problem of safely storing or transporting nuclear waste. Why would we want more nuclear power facilities built if the safety of those already in operation is in question? Tell Congress that nuclear power is not a “clean alternative” and has no place in an Energy Bill that seeks to expand the role of truly safe and reliable renewable energy from wind, solar, bio-fuels, geothermal and other green technologies."
Sign the petition! Watch the video of their new version of "Something's Happening Here" with Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash, Keb Mo, Ben Harper and Jackson Browne!
National Wildlife Federation - Special sections on Whooping Cranes (a personal favorite of mine!), Bald Eagles, Florida Panthers, Backyard Gardening, Global Warming Action, and a whole lot more!
Flight School - Incredible Documentary on how scientists are bringing Whooping Cranes back from the brink of extinction by teaching laboratory-born cranes how to migrate! Watch for it on PBS’ Nature series, or better yet, check out and support the Operation Migration project.
Ducks Unlimited - Wetland and Waterfowl Conservation
Sierra Club - working for the environment and against nukes: Fantasy Nuclear article - Smart Energy - Nuclear Waste Task Force
Mobilization for Survival - An organization I played for in the 1970's and 80's at Diablo Canyon and NYC, not sure if they are still around as a national group but the Boston group looks active.
E/The Environmental Magazine - Comprehensive, searchable on a wide range of environmental news
Native Forest Council - Their mission is to fully protect and preserve every acre of publicly owned land in the United States
Farms not Arms - All farmers of the world share the unique privilege and the daunting responsibility of making sure everyone is fed and the land is protected to feed the future generations. War, and the enormous waste of resources spent in preparing for it, threaten our work. As farmers, farm-workers and those in the agricultural industry who support them, we come together to oppose the war in Iraq and the dangerous cycle of war and terror that threatens our world.
Recycle! - Check your local listings, recycling is starting to be pretty common these days!
Conserve! - Did you know that since 1970, population in the Los Angeles area has increased 35%, but due to water conservation practices, water consumption has only increased by 7%? Here in Florida, where we lead the nation in per-capita water consumption, and especially in South Florida, it's a very different story.
As you may know, I am particularly interested in birds and preserving bird habitat.
Space for Peace - Global Network against weapons and nuclear power in space
The Everglades Foundation - Save our Everglades! Their new website is going to be Here.
Check out the two-day benefit for the Everglades Foundation at the Bamboo Room - September 29 & 30, 2006
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation - Everglades Restoration and lots of wonderful environmental projects!
Everglades Restoration Movement
Urban Development Boundary - Hold the line in Miami-Dade!
SPCA Wildlife Care Center - Saving Florida's wildlife since 1969, located right here in Fort Lauderdale! From their website: "Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native wildlife that has been harmed or displaced; to treat and place certain needy domestic, exotic and farm animals; and to educate the public toward the co-existence with all animals."
South Florida East Coast Corridor Study - Mass transit in South Florida? Wouldn't that be wonderful?! The scope of this study is to develop and analyze alternatives that potentially integrate passenger and freight transport along the SFECC, which is centered along the existing FEC Railway. The study will consider various alignments and transit technologies. Right-of-way on streets and areas parallel to the SFECC, as well as stretches of waterways, will be evaluated for the alternative transit routes. The different technologies that will be considered include bus, waterway transit, light-rail, commuter-rail, and heavy-rail.
Caloosahatchee River Watch - Citizens working to protect one of America's 10 most endangered rivers.
Food Not Bombs in South Florida - improvisedaction@riseup.net or 954-592-6330.
International Food Not Bombs website
Trash to Treasure - The mantra is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle". This year, this fantastic new Creative Re-Use Center has really turned me on to how great Reuse is! Recycling is good, but Reuse is awesome!
South Florida Peace and Justice
