Press Release
Paris Ortiz-Wines
+1(805)423-8750
paris@standupfornuclear.org
A Farewell to Climate Allies: Around the World, clean energy advocates honor and mourn the loss of Germany’s 3 nuclear reactors
A protest sign is held at a one of the 6 Polish vigils
On December 29th, allies across the globe hold a vigil to bid farewell to the three of the last six nuclear reactors left in Germany. Allies from Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, the Philippines, South Africa, Sudan, and the USA gathered outside their German Consulates and German Institutions to host a vigil to honor both the clean power generated and the workers who made it possible.
On January 1st, 2022 Germany will have deliberately closed 4.2 GW’s of clean power during an energy and climate crisis and allow for new fossil fuels to come online. To bear witness to this climate injustice, climate defender groups, Polish FOTA4Climate, German organization Nuclearia with the Mothers for Nuclear group, and the International Stand Up For Nuclear organization have joined together to coordinate this international vigil action.
These three German units, Brokdorf, Grohnde, and Gundremmingen C, have provided more than 1000 TWh’s of clean power in the last 36 years and employed hundreds of workers. Allies across 11 different countries commemorated these achievements and mourned the loss of these clean energy citadels.
The evidence is clear; the German phaseout and disconnection of its nuclear plants instead of coal, led to hard coal and lignite becoming the most important source of German power in 2021. Not only has Germany failed to meet its 2020 climate targets, but is also expected to fall short of its 2024 and 2030 targets. In fact, Germany expects to see its biggest rise in greenhouse gas emissions in the last 30 years. But if Germany allows for the continued operation of its 6 nuclear reactors, ONE BILLION TONS of CO2 emissions can be avoided. The effects of these shutdowns will not only be felt by German citizens but by everyone around the world; Carbon Emissions have no borders!
Climate activists around the world have this to say,
“No government that regards climate change as its top energy priority would close nuclear plants before the end of their useful lives. It’s clear that German politicians aren’t as environmental-oriented as they claim to be.”
“In the current situation, we cannot afford to close down any emissions-free and productive energy sources. We consider getting rid of emissions-free nuclear in burning and drying up the world to be a climate crime.”
“We agree with the statement of climatologist James E. Hansen that “shutting down nuclear power plants before shutting down coal and gas plants does not make any sense.”
“In this sad day, we choose a symbolic place of German economic power to express our deepest solidarity and gratitude to the nuclear workers and the communities of the last six german reactors, slated for closure within 2 years. Amidst the worst energy crisis in decades and incumbent energy transition, any loss of carbon-free and steady power source like nuclear, anywhere in the world, is a loss for the whole human community and for the whole planet.”
“Here in the US state of Illinois, we are thankful for the climate heroes that enable nuclear power plants to produce much of the clean electricity in the world, and we mourn the imminent premature and unnecessary killing of Germany’s nuclear power plants.
Our state lawmakers recently recognized the unique benefits that these clean energy workhorses provided, and our hope is that those in power in Germany will come to see those benefits as well and prevent/reverse these closures. The whole world is watching Germany as they impose more fossil fuel combustion on us by continuing with the ill-advised policy to close theirs. Save the German six!”
“We need a 24×7 supply. Sun and wind cannot do that. And without nuclear energy, we only have coal and gas. But they are not only harmful to the climate but also expensive. With the nuclear phase-out, we are not only missing the climate goals but also overtaxing people and the economy.”
Stand Up for Nuclear is the first international pro-nuclear movement. We work with allies around the world to advocate for the protection and continuation of nuclear energy.
Our international coalition of allies engages with their local communities, stakeholders, and policymakers to build political, social, and economic support for nuclear.
Headquarters are based in San Francisco.