Despite Kyoto and all the talk surrounding it, this emissions rate is not declining in most nations of the world. Quite the contrary, worldwide emissions are rapidly expanding - at a rate projected to reach ten billion tonnes a year within 20 years. This rate will continue to rise in the absence of fundamental change in human activity. To stabilize greenhouse gases at double the pre-industrial level requires that we cut worldwide emissions to half of current levels during this century. This challenge may seem minor but in fact it is of such monumental proportions that few have yet grasped it.
Mankind thus faces a future in which radical change is absolutely inevitable.
Ironically, after pioneering nuclear energy, America and Europe have appeared to turn against this technology just when its environmental virtues are most urgently needed. Fortunately, they are much better than are generally appreciated. In her keynote address, Angie Howard gave an excellent portrayal of the brightening prospect for a nuclear renaissance in America. I will summarize by saying that both the economics and the politics of nuclear are now more favorable in America than they have been for a quarter century. In fact, under examination Europe s nuclear prospects are surprisingly strong.