EU: Why New Zealand may have to go nuclear

EU politician discusses why New Zealand may have to go nuclear

The world needs to go nuclear in order to secure the future of the planet, according to Terry Wynn, former Member of the European Parliament, energy expert, author and rugby league fan

Mr Wynn is the visiting 'European-in-Residence' at The University of Auckland's recently created Europe Institute, an inter-disciplinary centre that promotes research, scholarship and teaching on contemporary Europe.

In a forthcoming public lecture Terry Wynn will present the pros and cons of nuclear energy, and the reasons he considers nuclear power part of the key to winning the fight against global warming. Mr Wynn says New Zealand's reliance on hydro and geothermal energy, while a luxury few other countries enjoy, could be short-sighted in the face of climate change. He says it is ironic that, given New Zealand's clean, green reputation and its nuclear-free status, this country is shunning one of the cleanest and most efficient power sources available.

"Nuclear power on its own will not solve the problem of global warming - but the problem of global warming will not be solved unless nuclear power is in the equation," says Mr Wynn, who believes Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, is the best case ever made for nuclear power. "While New Zealand is fortunate to have so much hydro and thermal energy, alternatives must be considered to cope with what happens when these resources run out," he adds.

"We are delighted to have Terry here at the Europe Institute. Questioning received wisdom, engaging in public debate, and advancing knowledge in New Zealand by drawing on insights from Europe is what the Europe Institute is all about. Terry's controversial and thought-provoking arguments should raise the bar on debates over energy and the environment in this country," says Cris Shore, who is co-director (with Maureen Benson-Rea) of The University of Auckland's Europe Institute.

In addition to his work as a politician, Terry Wynn is the author of Where are the Prophets? (Troubadour, 2006), examining the relationship between politics and faith. He is also a self-confessed rugby league fan and ardent supporter of his local team, the Wigan Warriors.

Terry Wynn will present his lecture on the pros and cons of nuclear energy at 6pm on Monday, 26 March in the Engineering Theatre 439 (20 Symonds Street). The lecture is free and open to the public.

Terry Wynn's visit is supported by the European Union Centres Network (EUCN), which is managed from the University of Canterbury.

ENDS

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