Nuclear energy taps seas for safe water
"All of the technologies used to desalinate seawater require large amounts of energy in the form of heat or electricity," explained ANS member Ron Faibish, whose work is cited in the position statement. "Nuclear power can provide that energy without the environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions, that are associated with fossil fuels."
International agencies anticipate that by 2025, more than 33% of the world population will live in regions without adequate supplies of water unless new desalinization plants become operational. Today, more than 3 billion cases of illness and 2 million deaths each year result from diseases attributable to lack of potable water.
The approval comes in time for the annual observance of World Water Day on March 22nd. The international observance grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
Position statements represent the Society's opinions on issues of interest to the general public and policy makers. All positions can be viewed at www.ans.org/pi/ps. The Society develops positions based on related technical papers and input from the professional membership. The Board approved Position Statement No. 62 on March 15, 2005.
