Its use is increasing. Without nuclear power most of the world would have to rely almost entirely on fossil fuels for base-load electricity production.
Nuclear power is the most environmentally benign way of producing electricity on a large scale.
If nuclear were replaced by coal-fired generation, carbon dioxide emissions would increase by over two billion tonnes per year. Renewable energy sources other than hydro have high generating costs but are suitable for small intermittent-load electricity demand. With the United Nations predicting world population growth from 6 billion to 7.5 billion by 2020, demand for energy must increase over the next two decades. Coupled with increasing standards of living for many of those in developing countries, the demand growth will be substantial. The renewable energy sources for electricity constitute a diverse group, from solar, tidal and wave energy to hydro, geothermal and biomass-based power generation.