In a world facing severe environmental challenges, nuclear
technology can help make the most of natural resources while
preserving the environment. An interdepartmental group has been
set up to coordinate the multi-faceted efforts of the IAEA in
this area. The sustainability of the Earth's environment has
become one of the greatest challenges of our age. An expanding
human footprint caused by a growing population, and changes in
consumption patterns place undue strain on the planet's
ecosystems, as well as its natural resources. A growing cause
for alarm, statistics divulged by the United Nations Department
of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) project a global
population of over nine billion by 2050, with commensurate
increases in the demand for food, water, energy and other
natural resources. The figures on population growth tie in with
the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a UN study involving over
1,350 experts worldwide, detailing the severity of the
challenges facing humanity: rising demand for energy