Title: Nuclear energy and the greenhouse effect

Authors: Alvin M. Weinberg

Addresses: Oak Ridge Associated Universities, PO Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America

Abstract: The extent and nature of the greenhouse effect are examined and placed in an environmental and historical context. The effect of energy policies on the greenhouse effect are discussed and the offending countries are identified. What energy policies would mitigate the greenhouse effect, and yet make good sense whether or not the effect proves to be real? Conservation is a desirable though not completely understood, strategy. Conservation may not be a better bet in every instance than is increase in supply. If the greenhouse effect turns out to be real, nuclear energy can be one of the supply options that we turn to. If the greenhouse effect turns out to be false, an acceptable, economic nuclear option is surely better than one that does nothing but create strife and dissension. Let us remember that nuclear energy is the only large-scale non-fossil source other than hydropower that has been demonstrated to be practical.

Keywords: conservation; economics; energy policy; future strategy; greenhouse effect; nuclear power; renewable energy; nulcear eneregy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1990.063712

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1990 Vol.2 No.2, pp.99-104

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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