Germany Completes Phase-Out of Nuclear Power Plants

Germany has begun shutting down its last three nuclear power plants as part of a long-planned transition towards renewable energy. The move has been celebrated by environmental groups but criticised by some who argue that nuclear power is a clean and reliable alternative to fossil fuels. In the short term, Germany will have to rely more heavily on polluting coal and natural gas to meet its energy needs, but aims to be carbon neutral by 2045. The dismantling of nuclear power plants will be costly and the question of what to do with highly radioactive material remains unsolved.