Asia's Emerging Nuclear Era: Climate Strategies & Implications for U.S. Policy

Abstract

Earth‘s climate is changing rapidly. Two centuries of burning fossil fuels have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This has led to elevated mean near-surface temperatures, rising sea levels, and acidification of the oceans. As the harmful effects of climate change become more apparent, many nations are turning to nuclear power as a viable option to meet rising demands for electricity with minimal carbon emissions. Concentrated in Asia, where hundreds of new reactors will be built in the next few decades, the new era of nuclear power expansion is underway. A nuclear power plant has not been built in the U.S. in over 30 years, suggesting America may be falling behind in nuclear technology. The American public has a largely negative perception of nuclear power due to past accidents at Chernobyl and Three-Mile Island. In the post 9/11 world, Americans are also particularly concerned about national security and the threat of nuclear terrorism.