Canadian Solutions to Global Energy and Environment Challenges: Green Atoms

Calls for energy conservation, and rapidly rising energy costs are gravely at odds with the needs of the energy poor in the industrial developing countries, and the global eco-system itself. A responsible answer and approach is available using Canadian CANDUtrade (Canadian Deuterium Uranium) nuclear energy technology, which meets the goals of safe, affordable, reliable energy, whilst contributing to a sustainable energy future for Canada and the world. The answers to the issues usually raised with nuclear energy are proven: (1) The cost of nuclear energy is cheaper than the alternatives; (2) Nuclear plants are built to schedule, and operate efficiently and well; (3) Environmental impacts are minimal; (4) High standards for safety have been established worldwide; (5) Spent fuel storage is no longer a technical matter, but a policy decision; (6) Proliferation and terrorism have never arisen from commercial nuclear power; (7) Stability of energy price and supply are ensured and demonstrated; (8) The use of nuclear energy can and will enable the Hydrogen Economy; (9) Investments in nuclear energy make a competitive return; (10) In Canada, a unique potential synergism exists with hydro, wind and oil sand sources; (11) Development of new concepts and designs are underway internationally; (12) Future emissions reduction strategies can and should explicitly allow the nuclear contribution. Given the gravity of the global threats, we must use all possible avenues of CO₂/GHG abatement and sources of energy, with an urgency exacerbated by the over-dependence of the world on expensive and volatile oil and gas supplies. Emissions reductions promised under the Kyoto Treaty are far too little and too unlikely, and the Treaty leaves nuclear fission effectively and artificially beyond effective political consideration in many established and wealthy countries. This paper discusses the forward path, based on new Canadian nuclear technology that can be utilized nationally, a- - nd globally developed and exploited in partnerships worldwide.