ANS Ambassadors of Nuclear Power at COP21

ANS President Eugene S. Grecheck and Director of Communications Tari Marshall are attending the climate talks in Paris, serving as ambassadors of nuclear energy and technology. They are present as part of the Nuclear for Climate coalition to support the flow of information to UN delegates on how nuclear can be a viable energy option in reducing emissions and helping all nations meet their carbon-reduction goals.

Marshall reports the Nuclear for Climate booth has had a mixed reception. Most visitors are interested in learning more about this technology, while others remain unclear on what nuclear has to offer. This lack of knowledge about nuclear energy is exactly the message that Grecheck spoke about as he attended a panel on advanced nuclear technologies led by DOE Secretary Moniz on December 7.

Energy for Humanity UK representative Kirsty Gogan spoke out at the December 9 panel at La Galerie for an exposition on carbon solutions with Stephen Tindale, a former Greenpeace supporter and climate campaigner. On another day, a press conference was held with leading environmentalists that included Dr. James Hansen, Dr. Tom Wigley, Dr. Ken Caldeira and Dr. Kerry Emanuel where they stressed their fight for a level playing field inclusive of all low-carbon energy sources.

The hope is for the UN delegates to finalize a deal by Friday, December 11. As discussions and drafts of the agreement have progressed, differentiation, financial aid, the level of ambition for reducing emissions and loss and damage have been debated.