Climate and energy has become a controversial topic because of the implications one has over the other. Studies (NAP-National Adaptation Plan and UN Environment Programme) have indicated that the main cause of global warming, the burning of fossil fuels, is leading to climate change. Fossil fuel emissions emit greenhouse gases (e.g. Carbon Dioxide) which can trap heat in the atmosphere. This results in an increase of global temperatures that can have adverse effects to ocean water levels, melting of arctic ice, climate sensitive ecosystems (e.g. reefs, biodiversity)and weather patterns.

We can now introduce nuclear energy as a solution to providing clean (near or at net zero emissions), less carbon emission and sustainable power needs. Nuclear power was supposed to be the promise of the “Atomic Age” back in the 1950’s. While the atomic bomb or nuclear missiles come to mind, there was a new purpose for using nuclear energy other than military. It was an effort by world governments, including the United States, of putting nuclear energy to more productive and peaceful use as a source of electricity. It was not until the 1970’s oil crisis, that the consideration for nuclear energy grew as an alternative power source.