Darmstadt 2008 – scientific programme

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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 13: Joint-Session with the European Physical Society (EPS) - Environmental Physics Division: ”Energy and Environment“

UP 13.4: Talk

Thursday, March 13, 2008, 16:05–16:30, 3B

The impact of a nuclear renaissance on the environment — •Herwig Paretzke — GSF, Deutschland

With roughly 400 nuclear power plants in operation, nuclear power covers 17 % of the global electricity production and 6 % of the global primary energy production. A considerable increase in nuclear power capacity will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save fossil resources. But what would be the environmental impact of a massive nuclear power based economy? No system is completely leak tight; therefore one must face the risk of radioactive material being dispersed in the environment. What would be the expected impact on human health and bio-systems?