...a project of Plutonium Free Future, a network of concerned citizens advocating safe energy and the elimination of nuclear weapons. PFF is based in Berkeley, California, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Plutonium is a radioactive and poisonous metal byproduct of all uranium-fueled nuclear reactors, and is a key component of both atomic and hydrogen bombs. Several countries are now using plutonium experimentally as fuel for generating electricity in accident-prone, "breeder" nuclear power plants. (Such plants consume plutonium and turn uranium into more plutonium at the same time.) In addition to being 3.5 million times more explosive than TNT, in accidents plutonium can burn and release deadly, cancer-causing radioactive smoke.
THE PROBLEMS: The widespread and increasing production, stockpiling, use and transport of plutonium threatens the entire web of life with (a) contamination from accidents, leaks, planned releases of radioactive dust or gas, and dumping; and (b) the increasing possibility of nuclear blackmail by countries or armed, hostile groups. The world's current plutonium-laden nuclear waste will need to be stored and guarded for more than a quarter of a million years. That is 25 times longer than the 10,000 year history of human civilization. At present no one knows for sure how to store nuclear waste safely for such a long time. Relatively small amounts of plutonium can easily be converted into nuclear bombs and thus constitute a serious threat to people everywhere on Earth. (The bomb that destroyed the city of Nagasaki, Japan, in World War II, was powered by less than twenty pounds of plutonium.)
A SOLUTION: We therefore invite you to present
"A Resolution Supporting the Goal of a Plutonium Free World" (see below)
to your legislatures and organizations, and to join the citizens, scientists
and energy researchers around the world who are working for an immediate
halt to the production of plutonium. Safe, economical alternatives to
nuclear-fueled energy are available today. Together we can build a world
that will sustain our lives and limit the burden of contamination that we
leave to our descendents. (Click on text in color
to go to other pages.)