It's possible to be Green and pro-nuclear – look at Finland

Being environmentally conscious and supporting nuclear power are not mutually exclusive, as demonstrated by Finland's Green Party, according to an opinion piece in Dagens Nyheter. The author points to Finland as a model where the Green Party integrates nuclear energy into its vision for a fossil-free future.

Atte Harjanne, a member of Finland's Green Party in parliament, is quoted stating, "We see nuclear power as part of a fossil-free energy system." This stance sharply contrasts with the situation in Sweden, where nuclear power, despite significantly reducing global carbon emissions since 1945, is seldom discussed favorably by political spokespeople. The article highlights that nuclear power's climate-friendliness is comparable to solar and wind energy, with similar low death rates per terawatt-hour produced, according to Our World in Data.

The urgency of reducing fossil fuel use is emphasized, with current heatwaves in Europe and rapid warming in the Arctic serving as stark warnings. The author questions how much worse the climate situation must become before Sweden's Green Party adopts a more pragmatic approach, similar to its Finnish counterparts. The piece suggests that all political parties need to adapt their policies, urging others to move away from "diesel-scented populism" and embrace higher fuel prices.

However, the article also calls on the Green Party to demonstrate a genuine commitment to prioritizing the climate, acknowledging the challenge for a party partly founded on opposing fossil-free energy. It suggests that abandoning ideological opposition to nuclear power would not necessarily mean aligning with conservative policies. The author notes concerns about the cost and timelines of the current Swedish government's nuclear project, even for those who support the technology.

Instead of simply rejecting nuclear power, the article proposes that the Swedish Green Party could draw inspiration from Finland's "Mankala model," where companies seeking new electricity invest capital. The piece concludes by suggesting that nuclear power does not have to be a divisive issue in Swedish politics, advocating for a more open and pragmatic debate.

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We see nuclear power as part of a fossil-free energy system.