The World in 2030

The World in 2030 181
But I still disagree about further development of nuclear
power, for the reasons given above – and because our current
generation has the responsibility for creating a safe and
peaceful world for the future. Despite the plans announced
by both the US and UK governments to extend their nuclear
power generating capacity, the world of 2030 would be a
much safer place if the vast sums being allocated to develop
additional nuclear power generation were, instead, diverted
to develop renewable and sustainable forms of power
generation and improve energy efficiency. As Friends of the
Earth points out:
Unfortunately (UK) energy efficiency initiatives have
so far been neglected in favour of hugely expensive
proposals for a new nuclear programme; despite the
fact Government’s own advisors have said that cutting
emissions from other sources will be more cost
effective and quicker. 344
In the end, opting for nuclear power (with unknown cost
implications) is a short-term, potentially dangerous and
socially selfish means of solving the looming energy crisis.
The Future for Fossil Fuels
Except for nuclear-generated power all forms of energy in
the world come directly, or indirectly, from the sun. The
most concentrated form of energy available is that which was
trapped millions of years ago as small sunlight-consuming
cellular animals and plants were crushed and buried beneath