This year has already seen the US leave behind the last three decades by giving permission for construction of four new nuclear reactors. Yesterday, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a $47 million government investment package for nuclear energy research. Why?
Some commentators would have you believe that industry lobbyists are behind this and the many other recent examples of nuclear energy growth.
In my opinion, the reality is actually very, very simple. The governments in the US and elsewhere understand that without nuclear energy the world cannot possibly meet the rapidly growing demand for electricity (estimated 76% increase by 2030) while also reducing emissions.
In a speech to the Asian Development Bank, US Economist and Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs said that when it comes to nuclear power, the world had no choice because the threat of climate change had grown so grave. According to the Guardian newspaper in the UK, Sachs warned that "nice projects" around the world involving renewable power or energy efficiency would not be enough to stave off the catastrophic effects of global warming….
