Within recent years nuclear energy has been called “the energy of the future,” but
is that true? With the growing concern of climate change and pollution, governments
and civilians alike have been searching for cleaner energy, with an emphasis on
renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.
The combustion (burning) of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gasses, peat) releases
carbon emissions into the atmosphere which contributes to the greenhouse effect. This
in turn raises the average temperatures on Earth.
Nuclear energy does not produce the carbon emissions that fossil fuels do,
instead, it produces electricity by splitting uranium atoms that are used to
create steam, which spins turbines in the reactor in order to produce energy without
burning the limited amount of fossil fuels available to humans.
Nuclear energy is one of the most efficient energy producing options that we
have. Piles of coal does not simply compare to the limited amount of nuclear material
required for the generators to activate. Not only is nuclear energy efficient, but it also only
uses limited amounts of land, around 1.3 square miles, which generates enough
electricity to power more than 750,000 homes according to NEI. With the energy crisis
we have it is another fact to consider while switching from fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy is one of the only readily available solutions to the phasing out of
fossil fuels. The reason that solar power or hydropower is not the main plan for
renewable solutions is due to the environment needs it requires.
Solar energy needs lots of land and lots of sunlight. The best places for solar
energy are flat areas with mostly sunny weather all year, like deserts. Solar energy is
not as efficient in colder climates and wetter climates like the Northern United States.
Hydropower requires constant flowing waters, like rivers and dams, the issue
with hydropower is needing to change how rivers flow and creating dams. This can
harm the local ecosystems.
Nuclear energy does not rely on certain conditions in order to work; it can be
used all day, every day. With limited land usage needs, no carbon emissions, which is
the major selling point of nuclear energy, and the overwhelming efficiency of nuclear
energy. It is obvious that nuclear energy is the future for society.
