Introduction: The Nuclear Back-Story

Abstract

Nuclear power emerged after the Second World War and was adopted by many industrialised countries. From the 1980s onwards its development faltered, following some major accidents, the rise of public opposition and the advent of more competitive energy options, with some countries phasing out their nuclear programmes. However, in the 2000s, with concerns about climate change and energy security growing, it was beginning to recover. This book explores whether the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan will halt this nuclear renaissance.