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Canada,
that is Saskatchewan, is the largest producer of natural uranium
supplying more than 30% of the world's total production annually.
Most
of our exposure to radiation comes from the natural radiation in soil,
water, rocks, building materials and food. An individual's annual
radiation exposure from all commercial nuclear energy power plants is
less than would be received from a single long flight in a jet
airliner. The amount of radiation released by a nuclear power plant is
monitored continuously and is reported to the public on a regular basis.
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Canada's energy demand is projected to increase by 34% by the year
2025. This means there will be a growing demand for reliable, clean
electricity. Canada's nuclear power plants have provided clean
electricity safely for over 40 years. Nuclear power produces virtually
no emissions of carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas that
contributes to global warming, nor does it produce any sulphur dioxide
or nitrous oxides - the emissions that pollute the air and cause smog
and acid rain.
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Canadians are the largest per capita consumers of energy in the world.
On average, each Canadian consumes the equivalent of 74.5 barrels of
oil annually. This is not surprising, given Canada's climate, size and
high standard of living. However, that level of consumption is over
twice that of France, Germany, Japan or the United Kingdom and 15.5%
more than that of United States.
About 16% of
the world's electricity is generated at nuclear power plants. Only coal
(39%) and hydro (19%) provide a larger share of the world's
electricity. Other sources are gas, oil and renewables such as wind
power.
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