Former ‘No Nukes’ Protester: Stop Worrying and Love Nuclear Power

The only way to rescue our plug-hungry planet from catastrophic global warming is to embrace nuclear power, and fast.

That’s the argument of Gwyneth Cravens, a novelist, journalist and former nuke protester. Her new book, Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy, is a passionate plea to understand, instead of fear, atomic power. In her book, Cravens is guided Dante-like through the entire life cycle of nuclear power — from mining to production to waste disposal — by one of the world’s foremost experts on risk assessment and nuclear waste.

Her conclusion? Every day spent burning coal for power translates into damaged lungs and ecosystem destruction. If the world wants to keep plugging in big-screen TVs and iPods, it needs a steady source of power. Wind and solar can’t produce the “base-load” (or everyday) steady supply needed, and the only realistic — and safe — alternative is nuclear.

Wired News talked with Cravens on the phone from her home in New York.

More here.