THE FUTURE-ROLE OF NUCLEAR-POWER IN ADDRESSING GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL-PROBLEMS

Decision makers have to increasingly balance the costs versus benefits of various energy choices against a background of global environmenta l deterioration. This is particularly so in the choice of long term el ectricity production strategies where these have to be balanced agains t the potential of a very severe disruption of the world's climate due to global warming. In this presentation, the threat of global warming is quantified and scenarios are developed of future predicted energy consumption patterns and their impact on international policies to cur b global warming, are analyzed. The conclusion is reached that the thr eat of global warming is so severe that, on the macro level, an intern ational accepted strategy of utilising a proper balance between all fo rms of electricity production, is a matter of priority and that all na tional energy choices should be taken against this framework. Such str ategic decisions on the macro level must, however, also translate into the micro level of energy production on topics which include: more ef ficient plant utilisation; more effective risk management; correct cho ice and application of technology; and better understanding of issues concerning safety, quality and environmental impact.