The nuclear turnaround is finally underway

The appeal is a special one: 20 professors from German universities, all renowned researchers from technological, scientific and economic departments, call on the federal government to reverse the nuclear phase-out.

The nuclear turnaround is finally underway

The appeal is a special one: 20 professors from German universities, all renowned researchers from technological, scientific and economic departments, call on the federal government to reverse the nuclear phase-out. The petition is to be released for the general public to sign by the German Bundestag. From 50,000 votes, the scientists can explain their demands in the Bundestag committee.

Experts have always had concerns about the nuclear phase-out. But they hardly dared to voice their criticism publicly in Germany for fear of discrediting. The anti-nuclear movement is deeply rooted in society.

The fight against nuclear power, disguised as rebellion against big industry and state power, is an identity feature of left-wing movements and the nucleus of the Greens - and thus also widespread in the German media. In this country, nuclear power is still insanely associated with the atomic bomb, just as it was at the time of the peace movement that gave rise to the Greens.

Scientists who praise the advantages of nuclear energy are not put in the scientific discourse, but fought as political opponents and attributed to an ominous "nuclear lobby". In reality, the favorite opponent of many journalists is a helpless lobby, which since 1986 has only been able to watch its own unwinding.

Nevertheless, terms such as "nuclear friend" put even seasoned scientists under pressure: Because anti-nuclear made one left-wing, only the right-wing milieu remained for pro-nuclear. At least since the ad hoc nuclear phase-out decided by Angela Merkel's government in 2011, proponents of nuclear power have been accused of being right-wing radicals.

When professors met for a conference at the University of Stuttgart in early July to discuss the nuclear phase-out critically, they were appalled, but not surprised, by the slander from left-wing student groups and alternative media. It deserves all the more respect that the experts have now come to a joint criticism of the energy transition, to their "Stuttgart Declaration".

It's about time that people no longer only listened to scientists from institutes close to the government, but also to the professors at the technical universities, who have so far been left out when planning the energy transition.

The three nuclear power plants that are still active are to remain connected to the grid until the end of the year. Because of the energy crisis, its continued operation is being hotly debated. And from Bavaria comes the suggestion that even decommissioned nuclear power plants should be connected to the grid again.

Source: WELT/ Leonie von Randow