GERMANY: ANTI-NUCLEAR AMBITIONS

More power to them.

Germany can abandon nuclear powers and cut CO2: Greenpeace
March 22, 2007 (AFP via Yahoo News)

WHO
Greenpeace Germany's energy expert Andree Boehling.

WHAT
Germany could abandon nuclear energy more quickly than planned and still achieve a 40-percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions.

WHEN
If all nuclear power stations were closed by 2015, instead of the planned date of 2020, Germany could still reduce its CO2 emissions by 40 percent.

WHERE
Germany. The plan is a potential model for other EU countries.

WHY
- Shutting down the country's nuclear plants would indirectly have a positive effect on emissions by encouraging the energy industry to develop new technology.
- Germany could achieve the reduction by using renewable energy to generate one fifth of its heating needs and one third of its electricity by 2020.

QUOTES
"There can be no more excuses, a 40-percent cut by 2020 is achievable," said Greenpeace Germany's energy expert Andree Boehling.