The nuclear energy and the environment

The author states some growth assessments of the world population for the year 2000 and 2050. He considers afterwards the associated energy consumption in the world and agrees with a saturation threshold for Europe in about 50 years. The possible options of primary energy sources with possibilities and limitations, like the coal, the natural gas, the hydraulic poer, the tidal power, the geothermic energy, the solar and wind energy are surveyed. The conclusion is that for the next 30 years the only resource is the nuclear energy. The paper ends with a review of the nuclear programs in different countries like USA, Belgium, United Kingdom, GFR, France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, URSS and Iran. (A.F.)