Why We Need Nuclear Power: The Environmental Case

Nuclear power may just be the most important solution to our search for clean, sustainable energy sources. Although wind and solar can contribute to our energy mix, we need a reliable source to meet large-scale energy demands and break our dependence on fossil fuels. However, most people are wary, if not downright afraid, of nuclear power. Given nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, it's not difficult to see why. In the wake of these events, fear has clouded the public's understanding of the facts. It's time to clear up those misconceptions and examine the science behind nuclear power, in order to determine what role it could and should play in our future.In Why We Need Power: The Environmental Case, radiation biologist Michael H. Fox argues that nuclear power is essential to slowing down the impact of global warming. He examines the issue from every angle, relying on thirty-five years of research spent studying the biological effects of radiation. Fox begins with the problem, carefully laying out how our current energy uses and projections for the future will affect greenhouse gases and global warming. The book then evaluates each major energy source and demonstrates the limits of renewable energy sources, concluding that nuclear power is the best solution to our environmental crisis. Fox then delves into nuclear power, looking at the effects of radiation, the potential for nuclear accidents, and the best methods to dispose of nuclear waste. By systematically analyzing each aspect of the nuclear issue, Fox clarifies which concerns have a scientific basis and which remain unsupported. His in-depth exploration of the facts persuasively demonstrates that nuclear power is critical to reducing the effects of energy production on the global climate.Written in an engaging and accessible style, Why We Need Nuclear Power is an invaluable resource for both general readers and scientists interested in the facts behind nuclear energy.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Introduction Part 1: Global Warming and Energy Production 1. Global Climate Change: Real or Myth? 2. Where our Energy Comes From 3. The Good, Bad and Ugly of Coal and Gas 4. The Siren Song of Renewable Energy 5. Back to the Future: Nuclear Power Part 2: Radiation and its Biological Effects 6. The World of the Atom 7. How Dangerous is Radiation? 8. What Comes Naturally and Not So Naturally 9. Nuclear Waste 10. About those Accidents 11. The Quest for Uranium 12. Now What? Afterword Appendix A: Global Warming Appendix B: Glossary of terms, definitions and units Appendix C: Glossary of acronyms and abbreviations Appendix D: Selected Nobel Prizes Index

About the Author :
Michael H. Fox is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University. He has been a radiation biologist for 35 years.

Review :
"Energy experts throughout the world are attempting to understand how we transition from an energy paradigm largely fueled by fossil fuels to a carbon-constrained world necessitated by ongoing climate change. Michael Fox makes the case for how nuclear energy fits into that carbon-constrained future. For energy decision-makers and planners, and for nuclear power advocates and opponents alike, Fox's thorough take on nuclear power's place in the 21st Century is an important and worthwhile read." -- Bill Ritter, Jr., Former Governor of Colorado and Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy, Colorado State University "Dr. Michael H. Fox has written a clear, accurate, and sensible book about nuclear power and the role it plays in reducing global warming. Using science-based data, he demonstrates how nuclear energy is actually a far cleaner and safer way to power our planet's civilization, and explains what radiation is and how it works. I hope that Why We Need Nuclear Power becomes the handbook for all reporters who cover nuclear matters, as well as a useful guide for anyone concerned about the world our children will inherit." -- Gwyneth Cravens, Senior Fellow, The Breakthrough Institute "This is a timely analysis of the pros and cons of nuclear power, by a renowned professor who has spent much of his life engaged in radiation research. Professor Fox seeks to educate his readers to appreciate that, despite the fear that radiation elicits in the public, the price tag for nuclear power is less than the alternative." -- Eric Hall, Higgins Professor Emeritus, Columbia University "Professor Michael Fox has produced a 'must-read' for our time. He presents a detailed, cogent analysis of the remarkable environmental benefits of using nuclear technology for electricity generation, while debunking common nuclear myths along the way. Finally, we have an objective, credible treatment of nuclear power, founded on current scientific knowledge. The concepts in this book could revolutionize global energy strategy and leave a healthier planet for our grandchildren." -- Ward Whicker, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University "Fox's forceful case for more nuclear power sensibly addresses the dangers, health issues, fuel supply, waste disposal, and potential costs involved; this book deserves to find an audience not only in North America but also in Europe and Japan." --Foreign Affairs "[T]his is a very well conceived and well written book. Overall, the book is a good read for a health physics audience and achieves its goal of making the environmental case for nuclear power." --Health Physics