germanys nuke abandonment called into question, page-20

http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates.html

This presentation sums up my viewpoint on this issue (and probably that of many people here) more eloquently than I can.

Turning off existing nuclear infrastructure is not the way forward.

Innovation is required if we are to maintain our lifestyle and allow the rest of humanity to rise out of poverty. Nuclear power must play a role to that end. To say that we have achieved the height of scientific knowledge and innovation in the field of energy production is not useful to solving the worlds problems - and I think - just a little arrogant.

The German population is largely against nuclear power and Angela Merkel's flip-flop on nuclear energy is clearly a populist move. If she didn't have to stand for re-election, you can be damn sure they wouldn't be switching off the lights.