The Nuclear Imperative

In this well documented global wake-up call, nuclear physicist Jeff Eerkens explores remedies for the impending energy crisis, when oil and natural gas are depleted. Because burning coal worsens the problem ofglobal warming, alternate energy sources must be instituted. The Nuclear Imperative demonstrates with scientific documentation that solar, wind, and biomass power, while helpful, are incapable of supplying and sustaining the enormous quantities of electricity and heat needed for manufacturing portable synthetic fuels (synfuels) to replace our current use of fossil fuels. Instead, it offers a fresh look at uranium-produced energy as the optimal affordable solution. Long misunderstood and irrationally feared because of antiquated beliefs by the general public, modern nuclear power generation is safer, cleaner, and essential for solving the future energy shortfall. Using a detailed, scientific approach to dispel common myths, The Nuclear Imperative shows that uranium fission power is available for 1,500 years as a prime energy source to provide all the world's energy needs. Because it takes ten to twenty years to design, test, and build new synfuel-producing reactors and new engines powered by new synfuels, action must be taken soon to prevent a catastrophy thirty years from now when oil runs out.

Review :
From Nuclear Energy Insight, June 2007: In light of the crucial energy issues facing all Inations, nuclear physicistJeff Eerkens decided the world needed a wakeup call, and he delivers one in his new book, "The Nuclear Imperative: A Critical Look at the Approaching Energy Crisis." Eerkens, a research professor at the University of Missouri Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, addresses growing concerns over oil dependence and climate change. Recognizing that carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants contribute to global warming, he concludes that nuclear power is the only clean source of energy that can meet burgeoning energy demands. The book scientifically discredits both the longstanding public phobia of nuclear power and the belief that alternate sources of energya "such as solar, wind and biomass powera "can produce the necessary quantities of energy to supply current use. In light of the significant amount of time required to bring new nuclear reactors on line, Eerkens urges immediate action to avoid an impending energy crisis. "This book is an admonition that the world must stop vilifying nuclear energy and rapidly expand this unique energy source so we can overcome the pending out-of-oil crisis," Eerkens writes. "Nuclear proliferation concerns and nuclear security issues can be and must be resolved." "The Nuclear Imperative" is the 11th installment in the Springer series "Topics in Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality." It is available for purchase at wwwspringercom.