By David Okul
When someone talks about clean energy, nuclear energy is usually not the first choice. Instead, people would go for sources such as solar and wind. However, there is a reasonable call for the inclusion of nuclear energy as a sustainable source. As a matter of fact, nuclear is the second-largest source of low carbon electricity after hydroelectric power. Still, there are some environmental impacts of nuclear energy. We have identified five reasons for and five reasons against nuclear energy as an environmentally friendly energy source.
Why is nuclear energy an environmentally friendly energy source?
1. It protects air quality.
Nuclear energy is a clean energy source with a 100% zero-emission. It produces energy via fission, whereby uranium atoms are split to produce electricity. In return, the heat generated is used for purposes of making steam. The steam is then used for spinning turbines hence generating electrical power.
The entire process of generating nuclear energy doesn’t entail using harmful byproducts such as those emitted by major fossil fuels. Nuclear energy doesn’t emit carbon emissions. It helps with maintaining clean air by eliminating harmful air pollutants from the atmosphere. Such contaminants are responsible for smog and acid rain, not to mention the adverse implications they have on the overall air quality. They further cause diseases such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
2. It produces minimal waste.
Nuclear fuel is way denser than other conventional energy sources such as coal. While nuclear fuel is known for producing nuclear waste, the waste is rather minimal. Furthermore, nuclear waste can be easily recycled and reprocessed. For that reason, nuclear energy is widely perceived to be part of a clean energy solution. In some nations like the US, nuclear scientists are developing advanced reactor designs that will operate using used nuclear waste. This development will make nuclear energy highly renewable in comparison to other energy sources. Also, there is a global effort to make nuclear power a clean energy solution in the future, considering that other energy sources face possible extinctions due to rising global populations.
3. It has a relatively small land footprint.
Nuclear energy produces vast amounts of clean energy. It further provides more electrical power on less land more than other clean energy sources. For instance, a nuclear facility producing about 1,000 megawatts requires just 1 square mile of land to operate effectively. This productivity is contrary to wind energy, whereby wind farms require vast areas to produce a similar amount of electrical power. Solar plants also need 75 times more land space to generate a similar amount of energy to nuclear energy. In other words, approximately 4 million solar panels are required to produce 1,000 megawatts. Also, 430 wind turbines are needed to create a similar amount of electricity. The fact that nuclear energy boasts the smallest footprints of all the traditional energy sources makes its environment friendly to a more considerable extent.
4. Nuclear energy produces less radiation.
Unlike coal, alongside other fossil fuels, nuclear power produces less radiation. Primary energy sources are considered environmentally unfriendly, given the vast amount of radiation they release into the environment. For instance, coal releases the biggest amount of radiation than any other energy source. Burning coal releases a vast volume of thorium and radioactive elements into the environment. Such elements are potentially disastrous to the environment. Apart from radiation, the risk of nuclear energy contaminating the air is significantly low. Today’s nuclear plants have sophisticated security and safety features, hence preventing nuclear accidents and causing widespread air pollution alongside other serious environmental concerns.
5. It reduces overreliance on fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy eliminates the over-reliance on fossil fuels, ultimately making it exceptionally environmentally friendly. Its usage discourages the continued exploitation of the few remaining fossil fuel reserves. The over-reliance on fossil fuels causes multiple environmental hazards. For instance, the burning of these fuels increases carbon emissions, consequently exposing the world to climate change and global warming. The pollution caused in the process of burning fossil fuels contaminates the atmosphere, further affecting air quality.
Nuclear energy can, and SHOULD, play a role in our energy future. Its ability to power heavy industry, produce electricity and provide clean drinking water without emitting carbon is needed now more than ever. But public education is key. Get informed⤵️https://t.co/Rcv6xL0MSN
— Dr. Rita Baranwal (@DOE_NE1) June 4, 2020
Why nuclear energy isn't an environmentally friendly energy source
1. Environmentally harmful nuclear waste
Although nuclear energy is associated with zero carbon emissions and minimal waste, the resulting nuclear waste can pollute the environment if disposed of inappropriately. For instance, when this waste is buried in the soil, the chemicals can diminish soil quality, eventually maiming plant species. Once disposed in oceans alongside other water bodies, it leads to thermal water pollution. Long-term thermal water pollution contaminates water and kills marine life. The process of generating nuclear energy, which entails mining of uranium, is highly hazardous to the environment. Besides, it places human life at risk as miners are exposed to possible mine collapses.
2. The entire process of harnessing nuclear power isn’t environmentally friendly at all.
Nuclear energy may be perceived as clean and renewable. However, nuclear power plants impact the environment negatively. The process of mining and enriching uranium isn’t environmentally friendly as such. Mining uranium leaves the soil with huge pits, which causes erosion in return. The radioactive particles left behind in the process of mining uranium pollute the soil and nearby water sources. Again, underground mining exposes the atmosphere to vast amounts of radiation, which causes ailments such as skin cancer.
3. Nuclear accidents are disastrous
While accidents at nuclear facilities are minimal, they can be fatal when they happen. The radiations resulting from accidents are harmful to the environment. They lead to the loss of human life and animal species once they contaminate the environment. The plutonium released into the atmosphere in the events of accidents can expose humans to multiple types of cancer, including bone, lung, and liver cancer. The byproducts of nuclear fuel can further ruin plant species upon encountering the soil. Accidents at nuclear facilities are safety concerns for the environment, animals, humans, and plants.
4. Nuclear waste takes years to decompose.
Perhaps the most significant environmental concern raised by nuclear energy is nuclear waste. Even when it is properly disposed of, nuclear energy takes so many years to decompose. For this particular reason, nuclear power becomes an environmental and safety concern. Before the nuclear waste decomposes to the appropriate safety levels, it can pose serious environmental concerns. For instance, it can continue releasing radioactive radiations, which can affect and even kill animal species.
Again, it can contaminate the soil adversely affecting its quality. Worse still, undecomposed nuclear waste can contaminate water sources making the water unfit for both animal and human consumption. Furthermore, contaminated water as a result of nuclear waste can suppress and kill marine species if it drains in rivers, lakes, or oceans. Most importantly, nuclear waste can continue emitting pollutants into the atmosphere before it decomposes fully. This pollution ruins air quality and causes ailments as well.
5. Nuclear energy may be unfair to poor countries
Establishing a nuclear plant is an expensive affair. As such, it may result in poor countries relying on rich countries in fulfilling their energy requirements.
Worse still, the poor countries may decide to build nuclear plants anyway. Of course, they may not follow all the necessary protocols. As a result, the plants may be unsafe for humans and the environment.
A more political concern is the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is a short leap from producing nuclear energy to nuclear weapons.
Is nuclear energy good or bad for the environment?
This billion-dollar question is hard to answer. For sure, the world’s energy demands are increasing every day. On the one hand, nuclear energy is a solution. For it can produce massive amounts of energy from ‘fewer’ natural resources hence minimal environmental impacts. On the other hand, the production of nuclear energy leads to the production of toxic pollutants that have adverse effects on biodiversity. You be the judge of whether nuclear is an environmentally friendly energy source or not.
David Okul is an environmental management professional with over 10 years experience on donor projects, conservation, forestry, ecotourism, and community-based natural resources management. When not working on active environmental management projects, I spend my time writing for Silvica on a variety of topics. The views on this blog post are personal.
