Review of the Environmental Impact of Nuclear Energy

Energy has long been viewed as an essential ingredient in meeting man's basic needs and in stimulating and supporting economic growth and the standard of living, so much so that often a nation identifies its wellbeing with its gargantuan and growing need for energy. Statistical data on energy consumption of the world in recent years [1] show that world consumption has increased by about 50% in less than ten years. It has been estimated that the per capita use of energy has more or less doubled during the past 30 years, and current trends indicate that consumption will grow at a faster rate in the future. This increase is a natural result of growing socio-economic activities and the rising standard of living.