In 2030, there was a war in Europe involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons in a restricted area. As a result of the war, dozens of cities were destroyed, and nuclear pollution spread to the territories of warring parties and neutral countries under the influence of winds, causing a large number of civilian casualties. As the consequences became widely known throughout the world, the demand for a total ban on nuclear weapons arose. This led, especially in the nuclear powers, to the fall of governments and, in a few years, to the deactivation of nuclear weapons everywhere.
In 2040, atomic power was harnessed exclusively for civilian use - mainly for the production of energy and heat. The main focus is on local small-scale power plants, whose patent rights are freely available to all countries. Fossil energy use has decreased significantly: or in very sparsely populated areas, it remains the most advantageous option overall. Even the smog that plagued China's big cities has practically disappeared. At the same time, green construction in urban areas has taken over the sector in almost every part of the world. The roofs of the apartment buildings are like gardens.
The use of geothermal heat has become more common, while fields and forest squares covered with solar panels have been restored to their natural state. Wind farms are set up either at sea or further away from settlements, although higher installation and energy transmission costs cause critical debate.