Business and the Environment

5. Nuclear power

We use nuclear energy to produce electricity. But power stations make a lot of nuclear waste too, and people have been afraid of the possible disasters since the Chernobyl disaster. Besides, there is the problem of the safe disposal of radioactive waste.

6. The ‘Greens’ as a  political power

The Green Party’s share of the vote went up from zero to 15% in the recent European elections. They are a radical political force and unlike other parties they are against nuclear power and nuclear weapons. The Green Party attempts to exert pressure on public policy and to influence industry.

7. Environmental pressure groups

The three main non political environmental pressure groups are the Friends of Earth, Greenpeace, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF; Természetvédelmi Világalap). These organisations have been working for many years, raising funds and raising public awareness of the need to protect the environment. Their activity is to propose specific solutions to specific problems. If a power station is planned or a new motorway is to be built, they want to make sure it is done with the least possible damage to the environment. Recently we can choose environment-friendly, ozone-friendly products. Companies that are not `green’ will lose business to those who have a green image.

Greenpeace:

Peaceful direct action by Greenpeace has invoked the power of public opinion which, in turn, has forced changes in the law to protect wildlife and to stop the pollution of the environment.

Recent results:

Protest voyage into a nuclear test zone – the test was disrupted

Protection of the whales – commercial whaling is banned

Protest against dropping barrels of radioactive waste – dumping nuclear waste and chemicals at a sea has been stopped.