Environmental activists and Greenpeace members protested in Berlin yesterday against the continuation of nuclear power plants. They hung anti-nuclear banners that read “atomic power kills” from the roof of the Christian Democrat party headquarters to drive home the message that they are anxious for a greener future.
Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel‘s proposal to extend the life of the country’s 17 nuclear power plants was approved yesterday by parliament. Merkel says she’s all for renewable sources, but she thinks it’s important to keep energy cheap and available in the meantime. Her decision overrode the government’s previous plan to phase out all nuclear power by 2021.
As greener power sources continue to flourish as a priority among governments like the world’s largest solar project in California, Berliners are desperate to move towards renewable sources such as wind and solar power. They hope to steer clear of accidents such as Chernobyl and creating toxic emissions that cause global warming.
In turn for keeping these power plants going, the four major companies benefiting from this have to pay an annual fuel tax, bringing in 2.3 euros ($3 billion) and donate part of their profits in support of alternative energy.
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