Such proliferation is not sustainable. It needs to be drastically slowed. Although recent trends give some ground for optimism the process will take time. Meanwhile we must seek to better use existing resources and expand resources - notably fresh water resources, food resources and energy resources. Nuclear techniques, although not liked by all, can be of great help in all three regards.
Desalination is one of the most promising options for supplying potable water.
The cumulative worldwide desalination capacity has increased steadily in the past decades, and this trend is expected to continue into the next century. According to the World Meteorological Organization, water consumption increased sixfold between 1900 and 1995, twice the rate of population growth. To meet this increasing demand for fresh water, the installation of seawater desalination facilities has increased dramatically since the early 1960s. Relevant reasons which have led in the past decades to the deployment of nuclear power for electricity generation included economic competitiveness, energy supply diversification, technological development promotion and environmental protection. Some of these reasons could also favour the choice of nuclear energy for seawater desalination.