Pedal Australia for Clean Energy

Friends of the Earth Adelaide


MEDIA RELEASE – 27 April 2007

Cycling across Australia for a Clean Nuclear-Free Future


On the first day of the ALP National Conference, Pedal Australia for Clean Energy and Friends of the Earth Adelaide call on ALP delegates to retain their long-standing no new uranium mines policy and move to phase out the uranium industry.

In the final stretches of their bicycle circumnavigation of Australia to educate about clean and renewable solutions to climate change, PACE emphasises Australia’s positive role in exporting clean energy technologies to the world, rather than uranium with its attendant, unresolved issues of weapons proliferation and long-lived radioactive waste.

“It’s ironic that the ALP should be contemplating an expansion of Australia’s uranium industry only days after the 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. Labor recognises that nuclear power is not a safe or responsible path for Australia’s energy future, yet many delegates are willing to dump nuclear risks and problems on communities overseas for short-term economic gain,” said Friends of the Earth Adelaide campaigner Sophie Green.

“In the best case scenario, more uranium mining in Australia will lead to the production of even greater volumes of high-level nuclear waste overseas for which there is still no safe disposal method. In a likely scenario, more uranium mining here will increase nuclear weapons proliferation given the emergence of a nuclear black market and clandestine nuclear programs. In the worst-case scenario, we could see more nuclear catastrophes and ‘near-misses’ such as that of Chernobyl and Three Mile Island,” said Ms. Green.

PACE cyclist Melanie Szydzik stated “The majority of the public remains concerned by uranium mining. A May 2006 Newspoll found that 66% of all Australians and 78% of all ALP voters are opposed to any expansion of uranium mining. As we have cycled around the country we have engaged with communities, schools and individuals and have listened time and again to serious concerns about the uranium industry.”

Ms Szydzik continued “The real solution to climate change lies in energy efficiency and renewable power technology. Australia is uniquely positioned to make the most of exciting opportunities presented by these technologies: We are able to benefit from our natural abundance of renewable sources to power this nation, and to reap the economic rewards of exporting clean energy technologies overseas.”

Pedal Australia for Clean Energy (PACE) are circumnavigating the continent powered only by pedal power (bicycles). They have cycled 9000km and have arrived in Adelaide this week.

Contact and Photos:
Sophie Green 0422 487 219 sophie.green@foe.org.au
Melanie Szydzik 0412 145 003 info@pedalaustralia.org.au
Severin Staalesen 0428 293 597 info@pedalaustralia.org.au