ANS: Global perspective needed in sustainable development of energy
"Nuclear energy must be a key component in meeting future energy needs worldwide," said ANS President Dr. Gail H. Marcus. "Energy is the key to improving the standard of living around the world. We need all sources available, but nuclear energy has several important advantages, which make it a particularly attractive resource.
"Nuclear energy is the only large-scale source which does not contribute to global warming," Marcus continued. "Nuclear energy can also help decrease the dependence of the United States on foreign resources, and recent events have provided a dramatic demonstration of just how important energy security is for our nation."
The continued growth of the world population and the need to achieve an acceptable and equitable global quality of life is placing great pressures on the world's natural resources of energy, air, water and land, according to the position statement.
Energy should be derived from a variety of sources depending upon the application and the location of the need, and that the source should be selected on the basis of rational assessment of the use of resources, the effect on the environment and the economic considerations. Such an assessment would lead naturally to the inclusion of nuclear power as part of the mix of energy supply sources.
The importance of nuclear technology goes beyond the area of energy production. "The use of radiation in medicine, manufacturing processes, agriculture, transport, scientific research and food production offers the ability to significantly improve the quality of life while reducing adverse effects on the environment and preserving valuable resources," says ANS.
