Seeing the Light: The Case for Nuclear Power in the 21st Century

Nuclear power is not an option for the future but an absolute necessity. Global threats of climate change and lethal air pollution, killing millions each year, make it clear that nuclear and renewable energy must work together, as non-carbon sources of energy. Fortunately, a new era of growth in this energy source is underway in developing nations, though not yet in the West. Seeing the Light is the first book to clarify these realities and discuss their implications for coming decades. Readers will learn how, why, and where the new nuclear era is happening, what new technologies are involved, and what this means for preventing the proliferation of weapons. This book is the best work available for becoming fully informed about this key subject, for students, the general public, and anyone interested in the future of energy production, and, thus, the future of humanity on planet Earth.

Treats nuclear power in a new, comprehensive, and informed manner, providing the reader with a fuller understanding of the history, science, economics, non-proliferation, and future growth of this energy source
Emphasizes nuclear power's role in dealing with the global threats of climate change and lethal air pollution
Discusses the appeal of nuclear energy and allays worries about energy security, and the new era of growth in nuclear power

Reviews & endorsements

'This is an accessible and well-written book that could not be more timely. Much current campaigning gives the impression that renewable sources are the full answer to the world's needs for climate safe energy. The balanced discussion in this book shows us the great environmental benefit of today's nuclear power and the potential for development and expanded use. It merits broad reading by anyone interested in the future of energy generation, from the general public to students and scientists to policymakers.' Hans Blix, Director General Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency

'This vitally important book counters nuclear fear with deep knowledge and honest good will. It is by far the best book on the subject yet written. We need its authoritative perspective for the difficult transition we face today away from carbon energy.' Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize recipient for The Making of the Atomic Bomb

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Product details

Published: September 2017
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781108406673
Length: 385 pages
Dimensions: 228 × 151 × 21 mm
Weight: 0.57kg
Availability: Available

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Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. Why nuclear and why now?
2. How it began: weapons and their legacy
3. What is nuclear energy? Some helpful background
4. Nuclear energy for public power: history and limits
5. Radiation: a guide for the perplexed
6. Chernobyl and Fukushima: the meaning and legacy of accidents
7. Godzilla's children: origins of nuclear anxiety
8. Why not nuclear: points and counterpoints
9. Global energy and nuclear power: the next 30 years
10. The new context: climate change realities
11. Launching a new nuclear power state: the United Arab Emirates
12. Non-proliferation: preventing the spread of weapons
13. Conclusion: is nuclear power essential?
Index.

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Authors

Scott L. Montgomery , University of Washington
Scott L. Montgomery is a geoscientist, professor, and author who has published twelve books and many articles, essays, and papers, both in the sciences and humanities. His most recent title, The Shape of the New (2015), with Daniel Chirot, was selected by The New York Times as one of the 100 Best Books of 2015. In addition to teaching at the University of Washington, Seattle, he has lectured widely in North America and Europe, and is often interviewed for his expertise on energy-related topics. An earlier work, The Powers that Be: Global Energy for the Twenty-first Century and Beyond (2010) has been widely used as a text in energy courses and translated into a number of foreign languages.
Thomas Graham, Jr , Lightbridge Corporation
Thomas Graham, Jr is Executive Chairman of the Lightbridge Corporation, Virginia which develops new types of nuclear power fuel. He also does extensive part-time teaching at major universities, presently including Stanford University, California and Oregon State University. He lectures worldwide and appears before Congressional Committees. Since 2009, he has been a member of the International Advisory Board for the United Arab Emirates' peaceful nuclear power program. Internationally known as a leading authority on international arms control and non-proliferation, he served as a senior US diplomat in every major international arms control and non-proliferation negotiation in which the US took part from 1970–1997.

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