Nuclear power and the greenhouse effect

This paper examines current arguments on whether nuclear power can be a way to reduce reliance on coal-fired electricity production, and so reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. This is a pressing question: the world is in the throes of acknowledging that climate change is a reality, and it is clear that it is even now experiencing the consequences of global warming. At the same time, Australia must come to terms with the implications of climate change for its own situation, both for its climate and in its role as a major exporter and user of coal. Through this it has achieved the dubious distinction of being the world’s highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases. For Australia and the world, the choice of replacement power-generating technologies will have a profound impact into the future