The Taiwan government is really doing a lot to limit CO2 emissions, but for future sustainable energy it "must use, in spite of everything, the nuclear power plants. Pending the discovery of a clean and safe source". The opinion of the director of the Academia Sinica, a Taipei based institution of the highest levels in the world's scientific community.

Taipei (AsiaNews) - If you want to build a sustainable future in terms of the environment and energy "Taiwan and the whole of Asia need to be convinced of the use of nuclear power. I do not think this is a permanent solution, but only this type of energy can give us time to develop a genuine alternative system that has no impact on the environment too". Professor Liu Shaw-chen, director of Academia Sinica and professor at two major universities in Taiwan is convinced of this.

Speaking to a group of journalists gathered at the research center - one of the most respected in the world for the quality of the researchers who work there, so much so that the former director is a Nobel Laureate for Chemistry - Professor Liu paints a pretty grim picture " Climate change exists, and it's crazy to think that it is not man-made. Taiwan's government is doing much to reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere, but we can not think of fighting this emergency by conventional means. "

For this reason, the researcher continues, "we need nuclear power. Currently in Taiwan, there are three nuclear power plants, and a fourth under construction was stopped because of the disaster in Fukushima on March 11, 2011. I understand the government, which must take popular feelings and sentiments into account, but I also understand that we can not rely on other resources. These, in one way or another, pollute: then our efforts to find really clean energy would be unnecessary. We need the nuclear power plants. "

In fact, the government of the island is doing much to counter the emergency. As well as policy that rewards the use of alternative energy Taipei has also issued  a number of incentives for energy efficiency and the reuse of recyclable resources. But this, at least for the moment, "is not enough if we have to return to old forms of polluting energy."

The Sinica Academy is part of ICSU, the International Council of Science, and the question of international recognition for them - at least for now - does not arise: "We are present - says the teacher - along with mainland China. Our official name is Sinica Academy, Taipei, China. And that's good for both sides. " For its part, the cumbersome neighbor is trying to change their attitude: "They are doing a lot to reduce waste, but they are not going to limit industrial production. This is why those who can should consult energies which are potentially unlimited."

And to those who pointed to the Japanese disaster where it has done more harm than good, he replies: "It is not true. Though it is unpopular to say, it must be said that Japan has gained a lot from nuclear power. It is true, it is paying a lot Fukushima. But I am not sure that without the power plants, it would have had as much growth as it has over the last twenty years. " (VFP)

 

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