Namibian government officials have recently unveiled their plans for a nuclear energy facility. Namibia is currently the fourth largest Uranium producer after Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia. This new stance nuclear energy presents Namibia with a huge opportunity to promote development and economic growth. The nuclear energy plant has the potential to create thousands of jobs for Namibians and could even lighten the economic load that is currently resting on the shoulders of its tourism industry. The tourism industry is skeptical about negative environmental effects that increased mining and uranium production could cause. They are also worried about the construction of the nuclear power plant, claiming that it would blemish the spectacular landscapes that make Namibia such a large tourist destination, especially in the regions containing the Namib Desert and the coasts. Where environmentalists and workers in the tourism sector are fearful, much of Namibia's population are hopeful for the prospect for new jobs and increased accessibility to energy, as well as the increase to GDP for the Sub-Saharan country.
Of course, increased Nuclear production draws eyes from the international community concerned with the possibility of creating nuclear weapons. This is a concern for Namibia because Iran has a considerable stake in Namibia's oldest Uranium mines, Rossing Uranium. Namibia has attempted to quell international skepticism by proclaiming that their Nuclear program will be used for strictly peaceful purposes, and has no intentions of developing a weapons program. Their plan looks promising, but it will be interesting to see if the new program escapes government corruption and actually provides real benefits to its citizens.
Source:
Weidlich, Brigitte. "Namibia Embarks on Nuclear Policy." Al Jazeera English. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct.
2012. <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/01/20111511037184843.html>.
I do agree that creating a nuclear power plant will create a lot of jobs, essentially helping the economy. At the same time, however, it will be vast detrimental to the environment, and the tourism of Namibia which also fuels the economy. Uranium is a highly dangerous element with very terrifying consequences if in the wrong hands. It has the potential to damage an entire nation such as Namibia, so is it really worth it to utilize it through a power plant, or continue to utilize tourism and beautiful landscapes of Namibia as an economic source of revenue?
ReplyDeleteAndrew-
ReplyDeleteGood overview of the new attempts at developing nuclear energy in Namibia-- but what do you think is the most likely outcome regarding this program? It does seem like Namibia is well-situated for such a program if they want it.