Both will continue to be used, but the mix may be modified. Neither can be used at zero risk to life, health and the environment, but all the fossil fuels present the disadvantage of adding to the CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. If the world concludes that these emissions must be reduced and at the same time demands more energy, there is at present no other CO2 free way than increasing nuclear power and in some developing countries hydropower. In my view, only another nuclear accident involving a large release of radioactivity will block this evolution. Further international measures are necessary to ensure that nuclear safety is at a high level in all countries.
Lawyers are an important group, accustomed to dispassionately weighing arguments and evidence.
Not only their professional assistance but also their consideration of and judgement in the energy questions is desirable. Everybody will not share my conclusion about the future of nuclear power. I shall now develop my thoughts in greater detail and begin with a description of the current global situation of nuclear power which offers a very heterogeneous picture. In some countries the construction of nuclear power plants is stopped by public referenda. This is true of Austria, Italy and Switzerland.