The Washington Post published an article this week about a report released by Japan’s Institute for Energy Economics. In my opinion the article, and the 36 page report it’s based on, makes for some pretty scary reading from an economic and environment perspective:
With and without nuclear power
• 1.9% economic growth becomes 0.1%
• Projected trade surplus becomes projected $57 Billion trade deficit (the country imports 90% of its oil from the Middle East)
• 5.3% decrease in emissions becomes 5.5% increase in emissions
In addition, Japan is importing so much oil that, according to the Washington Post, it has helped drive global prices upwards yet even with the massive scale of oil imports, Japan could still face energy shortages.
If anyone wants to know what a developed or developing country looks like without nuclear power then look no further….
