Introduction
“Green” energy sources such as solar and wind farms will not be able to replace fossil fuels. The negative environmental impact of hydrocarbon-based fuels, particularly the rise in global temperatures, is well established (Martins et al., 2019). We depend on electricity: we use many electrical appliances daily and electric lamps to light our houses and streets.
Many of us use hydrocarbon-fueled cars, and we also need fossil fuels to heat our own homes. At the same time, we face the negative consequences of using this energy source since we all live on the same planet. I am interested in eco-activism and taking part in some actions.
The Limitations of Renewable Energy Sources
The problems of an ecological approach to energy are visible to me with the naked eye. The type of energy that will allow humanity to get off the hydrocarbon needle is nuclear decay energy. Firstly, “green” energy sources cannot fully replace hydrocarbons, unlike nuclear energy. Secondly, when managed correctly, nuclear power plants pose minimal environmental risk. Thirdly, nuclear fuel is much more environmentally friendly than traditional hydrocarbons.
The most frequently proposed solution to the problem of hydrocarbon fuels is to switch to green energy sources such as solar and wind, but these sources need to produce more electricity to meet people’s needs. In 2015, only 19.3% of global consumption came from renewable energy sources (Qazi et al., 2019). The bulk of this falls on hydroelectric power plants capable of producing more energy (Qazi et al., 2019).
The share of solar, wind, or geothermal power plants is smaller. Not all regions and rivers are suitable for the construction of hydroelectric power plants (Qazi et al., 2019). Renewable energy sources will not be able to replace hydrocarbons completely.
Nuclear Energy as a Viable Alternative to Hydrocarbons
Nuclear power plants are safe for the environment if properly operated. Opponents of nuclear power mainly focus on the high risks in the event of an accident and the hazardous waste generated by nuclear power plants. First, any large-scale energy industry is somehow associated with risks. The collapse of an oil tanker can cause irreparable damage to marine ecosystems, and a breach of a dam at a hydroelectric power station can lead to large-scale human casualties.
Most accidents at nuclear power plants in history have been due to negligence or natural disasters (Gu, 2018). If the personnel adhere to the necessary safety protocols and the stations are located in seismically stable regions, the risks are reduced to acceptable values (Gu, 2018). Humanity knows the safe, environmentally friendly methods for the disposal of nuclear waste and its reuse (Kumari et al., 2020). In the case of proper operation, a peaceful atom is one of the most harmless sources of a large amount of electricity.
Environmental Advantages of Nuclear Fuel over Fossil Fuels
Replacing fossil fuels with nuclear energy will significantly improve the global environment. The environmental impact of nuclear energy is significantly lower than that of coal, oil, or natural gas. A kilogram of uranium can produce energy requiring hundreds of kilograms of hydrocarbons (Wang et al., 2019).
Due to its smaller scale, nuclear fuel extraction and enrichment cause much less environmental harm than coal, oil, and natural gas extraction and processing (Wang et al., 2019). Nuclear power plants do not contribute to global warming because they do not release carbon dioxide into the environment. The above advantages make atomic fuel much more environmentally friendly than conventional hydrocarbons.
Conclusion
If humanity wants to avoid catastrophic environmental consequences, we need to eventually switch to alternative energy sources, the most common of which will be nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants can meet needs not covered by renewable energy; they are more environmentally friendly than traditional thermal power plants, and their risks, if properly operated, do not exceed those of other energy sources. Fear of extinction makes people fantasize about nuclear war, but in fact, a peaceful atom will be what helps humanity survive and save the planet.
References
Gu, Z. (2018). History review of nuclear reactor safety. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 120, 682–690.
Kumari, I., Kumar, B., & Khanna, A. (2020). A review on UREX processes for nuclear spent fuel reprocessing. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 358.
Martins, F., Felgueiras, C., Smitkova, M., & Caetano, N. (2019). Analysis of fossil fuel energy consumption and environmental impacts in European countries. Energies, 12(6).
Qazi, A., Hussain, F., Rahim, N. A., Hardaker, G., Alghazzawi, D., Shaban, K., & Haruna, K. (2019). Towards sustainable energy: A systematic review of renewable energy sources, technologies, and public ppinions. IEEE Access, 7, 63837–63851.
Wang, S., Wang, J., Lin, S., & Li, J. (2019). Public perceptions and acceptance of nuclear energy in China: The role of public knowledge, perceived benefit, perceived risk and public engagement. Energy Policy, 126, 352–360.