ANSWERS: 1
  • Nuclear power plants generate energy by splitting an atom's nucleus into smaller parts--called fission. The world may need to rely at least partially on nuclear energy in order to reduce the climate-changing effects of pollution.

    Benefits

    Nuclear technology is one of the few fully developed, clean-burning sources of energy. In order to reduce pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, the world may look to further the use of nuclear energy.

    Significance

    As of 2009, nuclear power plants accounted for about 70 percent of all clean-burning energy production in the United States. This displaces about 689 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year--equivalent to the amount of carbon emissions from all cars combined. Nuclear power, however, makes up only about 20 percent of all energy production in the United States.

    Misconceptions

    Nuclear power plants have an excellent safety record, experiencing only two major accidents in recorded history: Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. In addition, Earth has enough nuclear material to provide effectively unlimited energy.

    Economic Importance

    From 1995 to 2008, it cost about 2 cents per kilowatt for nuclear reactors to generate energy, much lower than for any fossil fuel, even coal, which cost a little over 3 cents per kilowatt to produce energy over the same time period.

    Potential

    A collaborative study by professors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University found that the world will need to at least consider expanding nuclear energy use to reduce carbon emissions. Countries will have to offer tax incentives to those who establish new nuclear power plants, however, and determine the best place to store spent nuclear fuel.

    Source:

    Nuclear Energy Institute: Nuclear Energy and the Environment

    World Nuclear Association: Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The Future of Nuclear Power

    More Information:

    World Nuclear Association: The Economics of Nuclear Power

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy