If we are going to stop or reverse global warming, we need to create a world where energy generation does not emit greenhouse gasses.

There are basically two ways to do that: renewables and nuclear. Yet, as renewables, such as solar and wind power, continue to make positive headlines across the developed world, there is a growing split between nations looking to embrace nuclear and those stepping away. Why? There are a number of cultural, political and geographical reasons informing each jurisdiction’s approach. But, for those countries that take a clear-eyed look at the data before casting their vote on nuclear, the choice is obvious.

A divide in attitudes towards nuclear power is most evident in Europe. Some nations, such as Switzerland and Germany, are phasing out nuclear, while others like the Czech Republic and the UK are expanding their nuclear capacity. Austria is an interesting example of European anti-nuclear sentiment. Its government has promised to block every new nuclear project within the EU, made clear by its (pre-Brexit) opposition to the state-supported ‘contract for difference’ tariff, which Austria alleged (and failed to demonstrate) was illegal UK state aid to the construction of EDF’s Hinkley Point C reactors.