No Limits to Global Industrialisation with Nuclear Breeder Reactors

Jovan V. Jovanovich
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Jovan V. Jovanovich: Department of Physics, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2

Energy & Environment, 1999, vol. 10, issue 3, 305-324

Abstract: Does the Earth have enough natural resources, that is enough arable land, minerals and energy, to feed and support in a sustainable manner an industrial and affluent world of 10–15 billion people owning 5–10 billion cars? In a previous article 2 past and potential future developments, together with some environmental impacts (greenhouse effect in particular), were analysed. In this article this previous discussion of the physical availability of resources needed to build an industrialised and affluent world is futher expounded. It is argued here that there is no reason for pessimism provided humanity can resolve the socio-economic and poltical issues associated with the careful exploitation of natural resources. Even without any major breakthroughs in science and technology, the earth is resourceful enough to physically support an industrialized, sustainable and affluent world of 10–15 billion people, but only if nuclear breeder reactors are used to power it. Thus, there are no physical reasons why one part of humanity has to compete with another one for natural resources that may soon disappear, for the “last barrel of oil and the last kernel of grain†. The earth is resourceful enough for everybody to live well. We only need wisdom to achieve this goal.

Date: 1999
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:engenv:v:10:y:1999:i:3:p:305-324

DOI: 10.1260/0958305991499540

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