« Founding father » of climatology supports nuclear

James Hansen, the first scientist to theorize the existence of climate change, highlights the significant role of nuclear as a low-carbon energy.

Renewable energies have a role to play in the future, but they are not sufficient. To reduce CO2 emissions and slow down climate change, new nuclear power plants have to be built. This is what James Hansen argues.

“Every day, 10,000 of people are dying from pollution due to the combustion of fossil fuels. Nuclear power is much safer.” In a study published in 2013, James Hansen estimated that between 1971 and 2009, nuclear power prevented 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths globally. This figure was calculated by comparing the sanitary impact of both nuclear energy and fossil fuels. According to his calculations, there would be 4 to 7 million additional deaths if coal was to replace nuclear by 2050.

While MED COP21 is taking place, Nuclear for Climate has shown and will continue to show its commitment to the fight against climate change. It recalls that nuclear is a low-carbon energy source and an effective tool to combat global warming.

Notes to the editor: Nuclear for Climate is an initiative of the French Nuclear Society (SFEN), the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the European Nuclear Society (ENS), which is supported by FORATOM. It brings together over 50,000 scientists from all over the world represented by 40 regional, national and international associations.