Nuclear or not? : does nuclear power have a place in a sustainable energy future? / edited by David Elliott.

Originally published: 2007.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction ---- Part I. Setting the scene. 1. Nuclear energy: an introductory primer / Jonathan Scurlock --- 2. A concise history of the nuclear industry worldwide / Jonathan Scurlock --- 3. Opposition to nuclear power: a brief history / Horace Herring ---- Part II. Structuring the debate. 4. Building or burning the bridges to a sustainable energy policy / Gregg Butler and Grace McGlynn --- 5. Criteria for a sustainable energy future / Paul Allen ---- Part III. The future UK energy mix: strategic issues. 6. Time for a fresh look at nuclear? / Stephen W. Kidd --- 7. Nuclear power and renewable in the UK: can we have both? / David Elliott ---- Part IV. Some key nuclear issues. 8. New information on radiation health hazards / Ian Fairlie --- 9. Nuclear waste: the protracted debate in the UK --- 10. Nuclear's inherent insecurities / David Lowry --- 11. Risk, economics and nuclear power / Catherine Mitchell and Bridget Woodman ---- Part V. Nuclear around the world. 12. Nuclear power -- the European dimension / Antony Froggatt --- 13. Non-nuclear sustainable energy futures for Germany and the UK / Godfrey Boyle --- 14. Nuclear power around the world / Stephen W. Kidd ---- Part VI. Conclusions. 15. Can nuclear power ever be green? / Jonathan Scurlock --- 16. Nuclear renaissance requires nuclear enlightenment / William J. Nuttall --- 17. UK energy choice -- an enlightened future? / David Elliott.

The issue of nuclear energy excites strong emotions and there are widely differing views as to whether nuclear power can or should make a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With the nuclear issue back on the agenda worldwide, this highly topical collection steers a path through these controversies, presenting the views of proponents of nuclear expansion, examining the challenges that face them and exploring the arguments of those who support alternative approaches. Providing an overview of both sides of the debate this book addresses questions such as can nuclear energy ever be green? Can nuclear result in an effective sustainable energy policy? How should we deal with nuclear waste? What is the impact of nuclear on security? Ultimately these essays focus on which mix of technologies would offer the best response to climate change. -- Back cover.