Nuclear energy, environmental protection and sustainable development

Abstract

Nuclear energy is a proven technology for large scale base load electricity generation which can reduce dependence on imported gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, less vulnerable to fuel price changes than coal- and gas-fired power plants. With the discoveries of fertile Thorium fuel cycles that offer attractive features, including lower level of waste generation, less dangerous, less expensive, more accessible and more environmentally friendly option for nuclear fuel supply- this is against Uranium fuel cycle that most of the present reactors were built on. Furthermore, with the latest innovation of fast breed reactors (FBR) which offer more efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides which are otherwise the longlived component of high-level nuclear wastes. In this submission, we will also look at environmental protection in line with sustainable development and how nuclear energy is in conformity with the environmental protection.