(18a) "Implications for the Nuclear Power Industry Caused by New Views on Climate Change and Societal Implications Thereof”

The Sustainable Engineering Forum of AIChE's Institute for Sustainability uses a Virtual Meeting concept for vetting issues related to Sustainability. Three Virtual Meetings were held in 2005 on "New Views on Climate Change and Societal Implications thereof." More than fifty scientists and engineers reviewed current literature on the subject and discussed whether technology advances had obviated many concerns about sources of climate change and other issues regarding sustainable decision-making. We also examined whether political pressures were shifting to favor action on the part of nations. One meeting focused on the US Climate Change Technology Program.

This background, when added to previous AIChE & industry representative sponsored work has significant implications for the nuclear power industry.

Major questions covered were: Is it ?Climate Change? or ?Global Warming? or ??; What technologies will be needed to minimize the odds of problems and minimize consequences if problems occur?; What choices do we have?; Are there benefits to global warming or business opportunities?; Did mankind prevent an ice age? What are the impacts on the "footprint" of society on the Earth?; What sustainability decision tools are needed to make informed choices? How do recent events effect decisions related to the Nuclear Power industry.

This paper will present the salient points developed by this international group of engineers and scientists, plus other work on societal values.