Environmental Aspects of Using Nuclear Energy
The Environmental Effects of Nuclear as an Alternative Energy Source
Feb 3, 2009
As an environmentally friendly source of energy, nuclear power seems ideal. It has little or no greenhouse gas emissions and with the new fast breeder reactor technology it has become in effect a renewable source of energy. Notwithstanding these advantages, many environmental organizations oppose nuclear energy as a means of combating climate change because of the dangerous environmental hazards associated with the production of energy from nuclear sources.
Environmental Advantages of Nuclear Energy
Any alternative source of energy that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be considered as environmentally advantageous.
- The major environmental advantage of nuclear energy is its lack of greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear Power in a Warming World by Lisbeth Gronlund et al. and published by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in December 2007 states “Nuclear power plants do not produce global warming emissions when they operate, and the emissions associated with the nuclear fuel cycle and plant construction are quite modest. Thus an expansion of nuclear power could help curb global warming.”
- Using nuclear energy to replace coal as a source of electricity would have definite environmental benefits. Figures from “Key World Energy Statistics: 2008”, published by the International Energy Agency show that nuclear energy supplies just 14.8% of world electricity generation, while coal supplies over 40%. Coal in a Changing Climate by Daniel Lashof et al. and published by the Natural Resources Defense Council in February 2007 says “The conventional coal fuel cycle is among the most environmentally destructive activities on earth”.
- Fossil fuels are a finite source of energy while nuclear energy, produced with the correct technology, could become a renewable energy source. Chapter 4 of Climate Change 2007 by Bert Metz, published by Cambridge University Press in 2007 makes the case that “With fast-spectrum reactors operated in a 'closed' fuel cycle by reprocessing the spent fuel and extracting the unused uranium and plutonium produced, the reserves of natural uranium may be extended to several thousand years at current consumption levels”.
Environmental Dangers of Nuclear Power
Electricity generated through the use of nuclear power produces little or no carbon dioxide emissions but there are many environmental threats associated with the nuclear fuel cycle.
- The major environmental danger of nuclear energy is the threat of radioactive wastes. “Nuclear Power: Undermining Climate Protection”, published by Greenpeace International in October 2008 states “There is no safe solution to dealing with the dangerous radioactive waste produced by nuclear power. An average nuclear reactor produces 20-30 tonnes of highly radioactive spent fuel each year, which remains radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years”.
- An “Issue Brief” produced by the UCS in December 2007 entitled “Got Water?” states “Nuclear power plants withdraw large amounts of water from nearby lakes, rivers, and oceans. In doing so, aquatic life is adversely affected. A 2005 study of impacts from 11 coastal power plants in Southern California estimated that the San Onofre nuclear plant impinged nearly 3.5 million fish in 2003 alone.”
- Ever since the accidents at Three Mile Island (1979) and Chernobyl (1986) it has been known that the environmental damage posed by a nuclear power accident is much greater than that posed by either coal, gas or oil power. “Nuclear Power: Undermining Climate Protection” states “Accidents happen at nuclear sites all the time. The Chernobyl accident, the worst to date, contaminated an area larger than 120,000 square kilometres and contamination was found as far away as Lapland and Scotland. The precise death toll will never be known, but may be more than one hundred thousand”.
The increasing growth of carbon dioxide emissions and the looming environmental threat of a changing climate ensure that, despite the many environmental dangers of nuclear power, this carbon free source of energy must not be discounted as a means of curbing global warming.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
