PR:New initiative to strengthen anti-nuclear struggles: Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region

Media Release Monday, October 21, 2013 - for immediate release -

New initiative to strengthen anti-nuclear struggles:

Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region
BALTIC SEA A new international initiative has been launched by anti-nuclear groups and activists from the Baltic Sea region to support struggles against atomic developments and to strengthen anti-nuclear movements around the Baltic Sea: the "Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region" project.

The Baltic Sea is one of the most radioactively polluted seas in the world due to a minimal water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean. Chernobyl accident, nuclear weapon tests and reprocessing plants were the biggest polluters in the past, while these days a number of so-called "civil" atomic facilities are releasing big amounts of radionuclides contaminating the sea. Several governments in the watershed of the Baltic Sea are intending to increase the radioactive pollution of the region when they are pushing new uranium mines, waste repositories and nuclear reactors. Until today more than 60 atomic facilities have been in operation or are supposed to be started.

The "Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region" network/project is a platform for activists and groups to initiate campaigns and actions to stop atomic developments. This platform will be used to educate the public on nuclear threats and advocate for a change in local and European energy policies. An important means for that is to support the network of anti-nuclear groups in the Baltic Sea regions by connecting to each other, and sharing skills, tools and resources. Overall, the "Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region" wants to contribute to the worldwide immediate shutdown of all atomic facilities.

"Radioactive pollution of the Baltic Sea is not getting enough attention from the public bodies. We want to change this," says Tanya Novikova from Belarus, who is glad to get support to stop the illegal construction of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant (NPP) in Belarus. The NPP is being built in violation of the Espoo Convention.

The newly established network/project has its roots in the 2010 Baltic Sea Info Tour, which was connecting anti-nuclear activists and contributing to their local struggles in a two months tour over 12,000 kilometers stopping in 10 cities around the Baltic Sea.[1] Several hundreds of activists had been involved to the activities of this historic campaign.

The "Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region" project starts with organizations and individuals from eight Baltic Sea countries[2] and two other regions[3] consulting and supporting the initiative. The network is open to more activists and groups to join. A website has been set up for coordination of activities and to provide background information on atomic facilities in the area available at http://atomicbaltic.nuclear-heritage.net

Dear editor! You are welcome to contact us if you have questions, for interviews, background information and to request photo material on anti-nuclear actions in the Baltic Sea region via landline phone +49 3431 5894177 or email to [mailto:mediaATnuclear-heritage.net media AT nuclear-heritage.net]. You can also have a look at the webpage of the "Atomic Threats In The Baltic Sea Region" project: http://atomicbaltic.nuclear-heritage.net

Footnotes:
 * 1) Learn more about the roots of the project, the Baltic Sea Info Tour 2010: http://baltic-tour.nuclear-heritage.net
 * 2) Baltic Sea countries represented in the network/project as of October 2013: Belarus, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden
 * 3) Organizations consulting and supporting the network/project as of October 2013: WISE (Netherlands), Sonne + Freiheit (Austria)

-- Nuclear Heritage Network Ortsteil Mannsdorf Am Bärental 6 D-04720 Döbeln GERMANY

website: http://nuclear-heritage.net email: [mailto:contactATnuclear-heritage.net contact AT nuclear-heritage.net]

phone: +49 3431 5894177

Skype: projekthaus.mannsdorf (available only during office hours) Jabber/XMPP: network.office - domain: jabber.ccc.de (available only during office hours)

opening hours: Wednesdays at 2-4 PM CET

This media release has been provided by the "Nuclear Heritage Network". It is an international network of anti-nuclear activists. This informal alliance supports the worldwide anti-nuclear work. The Nuclear Heritage Network is no label, has no standard opinion and no representatives. All activists of the network speak for themselves or for the groups they represent.