Former British PM cautions against overreaction

The world must be open-minded about the use of nuclear power as a source of clean energy despite the crisis in Japan, Tony Blair, former British prime minister, says.

The fallout from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant as a result of the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami "makes people hesitate, or at least pause, in order to analyze what it all means and what the impact is", he says.

While it is important to make assessments, he cautions against instant reaction. "Let's analyze what it means, because I still think nuclear power is important for the future," he says.

"I'd like to keep an open mind on this. Otherwise, the danger is something like Japan happens, we overreact; we shut off our options for the future. I don't think that is sensible."

The sharing of green technologies has taken on added importance as the turmoil in the Middle East highlights the need for countries dependent on oil to diversify their energy supply.

"The key is technology," he says. "Solar and wind will be important, but they are not the only technologies.

"All of this (also) means that there is going to be a search for new technologies. We won't solve the problems unless we develop transformative technologies in the future."

By "transformative technologies", he means those that are able to improve engines' energy efficiency by 50 percent or cut energy consumption of electrical appliances by 75 percent.

"If it wasn't for Japan, there would be a big push for nuclear energy," he says.

Li Xing