With
globalized economics and a new era of global interconnectedness all
counties and stakeholders share the same responsibilities, to ensure a
safe and sustainable future for generations to come.
In
this regard the United Nation has traced 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) to be followed by all nations for all nations. These goals
provide clear guidelines to tackle the root causes of poverty, hunger,
climate change and unite all necessary efforts to make a positive change
for mankind and the planet.
It
is generally accepted that science and technological innovations need
to play a fundamental role in assisting global leaders to find the
answers to pending issues.It is therefore no surprise that nuclear
science and innovative nuclear technologies are playing a major role in
providing viable solutions to help achieve these ambitious SDG targets.
It is well known globally that nuclear technologies have much to offer
in the fight against poverty, hunger, dread diseases, and water
shortages, not to mention its ability to provide sustainable and
environmentally friendly electricity.
Let’s take a closer look these various applications.
Nuclear
medicine helps millions of people across the globe to successfully
fight cancer and has reducedthe mortality rate of non-communicable
diseases by one third. Moreover, nuclear science centers and research
facilities are indispensable in the production of radioisotopes which
are used in complex medical treatments.
The
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides training and
seminars to improve cancer management across the globe.With the help of
nuclear technologies Tanzanian doctors can now deliver more precise
radiation treatment to patients with oncological diseases using modern
scanning methods previously not available in the region. These new
methods make it possible to treat more patients than before with more
accuracy.
As
the population continues to grow rapidly in emerging countries, the
availability of potable water remains one of the most pressing issues
for the mankind. Innovativenuclear technologies can be used to
desalinate ocean wateror to reducecontaminants in contaminated water,
making it safe to use.
A
number ofcountries such as Kenya have already used nuclear technologies
to manage water consumption more effectively. Nuclear and isotopic
based techniques have helped Kenyan farmers to use water in a more
cost-effective manner,the technique reduces costs by more than 50% when
compared to standard irrigation. Isotopic techniques were used to
determine the most efficient way to use saline groundwater and treated
sewage water through drip irrigation.Drip irrigation reduced the amount of water needed by up to 30%, compared to sprinkler irrigation.
Water
purification and desalination can be of huge benefit toTanzania, where
it is difficult for many people in arid regionsto access clean water.
Implementation of these technologies is of high importance for the East
African country where nearly 23 million people don’t have full access to
safe potable water.
Sometimes
water scarcity can be explained by climate change and environmental
degradation, generated by carbon dioxide emissions, caused by burning
coal or oil.Even in this respect nuclear science and nuclear power
plants are playing an important role in both climate change mitigation
and adaptation. Electricity generated by nuclear power plants is
reliable, while the process of generation does not emit any hazardous
substancesand pollutants into the air.
To
meet global targetsin thecombat against global warming, manyemerging
countries are turning tonuclear power, as it is able to kill two birds
with one stone – generate clean environmentally friendly electricity, at
a very affordable price.
In
addition to this, nuclear techniques render significant assistance to
farmers in combating desertification and soil degradation. Isotopes make
it possible to identify erosion spots and help to restore these
affected zones.This leads to higher incomes, a diverse ecosystem and
biodiversity.
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