Javier E. David reports that even as the U.S. shale boom has sent oil and gas production skyrocketing, interest in alternative energy has increased, while still under government subsidy. Yet nuclear power is largely shunned by environmentalists - otherwise known as adversaries - who see the fuel source as too costly and inherently dangerous, both of which are either exaggerated or just wrong.
That, however, may be changing. Last week, more than 200 United Nations researchers announced support for nuclear energy, calling for a tripling of output within the coming years as a means to combat carbon emissions. The move comes against the backdrop of nuclear innovations that seek to address safety - which are all ready far less of a problem than for any other energy source except hydro-electric power - and cost issues that have hampered the sector - but which could be reduced by eliminating useless regulations. Currently, support for nuclear power among most adversaries is tentative at best. But at least a few voices within the movement insist that soaring global demand for energy makes it imperative for those who understand that climate change is coming to fully embrace nuclear power and phase out the burning of coal.
Josh Freed, Vice President for Energy at Third Way, a multi-issue centrist think tank in Washington, recently said that adversaries have to learn to live with nuclear energy. The globe is going to be an increasingly high-energy planet ... and - emerging markets - are going to demand the same baseload energy that industrialized countries have at present.
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