Date of submission: 01/03/2023
I.
Introduction
Climate change is a severe issue, felt global. Referring to long-term shifts in temperature
and weather patterns induced mostly by humans, notably the usage of fossil fuels (NRDC, 2022).
To solve this, the idea of replacing fossil fuels with nuclear energy—energy that originates from
the splitting of uranium atoms into neutrons by a process called fission—has been proposed.
Because nuclear power plants don’t burn fuel, therefore not producing greenhouse gas
emissions, the main cause of climate change. This essay will explain more about whether or not
nuclear power can replace fossil fuels as the main energy source.
II.
Causes & consequences
Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge (IPCC, 2020). Fossil fuels supply 80% of
the world’s energy (EESI, 2021). As fossil fuels are mainly composed of carbon compounds,
when they are burned, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are emitted.
With these gasses capable of trapping heat from the sun, it results in climate change as the
temperature increases. (NAT GEO, 2022).
The consequences include glaciers shrinking, causing the sea level to rise. Glaciers in the
Arctic have shrunk by approximately 40% since 1979 (NOAA, 2021). As this continues, half of
the world's coral reefs will be threatened by being bleached by 2035 (NOAA, 2021).
Rising temperatures also result in widespread ecological change. Species are going
extinct as ecosystems fail to adjust to climate change because they cannot adapt fast enough
(Earthly, 2020). While adaptable species survive, others, if not already extinct, will migrate,
causing a loss of biodiversity. 882 species of plants and animals have become extinct due to
climate change (IUCN, 2022).
III.
Global perspective
According to Greenpeace (2022), nuclear energy isn’t suitable. Firstly, nuclear reactors
and their reliance on fuel stores are vulnerable to natural disasters, as Fukushima Daiichi—a
2011 Japanese atomic disaster that permanently contaminated 42 million people—showed
(world-nuclear, 2022). Secondly, it is costly. It is estimated that nuclear plants cost twice as
much to build as a coal plant and five times as much to build as a natural-gas plant. Thirdly,
nuclear power produces radioactive waste, which could contaminate soil, cause radiation
sickness, and remain for up to 1 million years (Greenpeace, 2022). Finally, nuclear energy isn’t
sufficient enough to replace fossil fuels, as doubling nuclear power capacity would only reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 4% (Greenpeace, 2022). To summarize, nuclear energy is too
expensive and not as efficient.
IV.
National perspective
Due to climate change, 370 ha of land have burned so far in 2022 in France (Global
Forest Watch, 2022) and more than 40% of the 36,500 French communes have been affected by
floods (Climate Change Post, 2023). Despite anti-nuclear activists’ denunciations, the French
president has called for a nuclear "renaissance" as an effort to cut France’s emissions. In order
for France to be the first country that is not reliant on fossil fuels within 30 years, it has
announced a 50 billion euro investment in nuclear power sources in 2022, with plans to build six
new nuclear reactors being built by 2035 (Euronews, 2022). Currently, nuclear energy provides
around 75% of France’s electricity, the highest of any country (WNA, 2022).
V.
Different perspectives
The two viewpoints are dramatically different. The Greenpeace organization believes
that nuclear energy shouldn’t be an option as it is unstable, exorbitant, and could result in
radioactive waste causing more problems than nuclear energy solves. On the other hand,
France believes that nuclear energy is the key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as they
consider it a clean and eco-friendly energy source. France also calls for big investments in
nuclear energy and plans to replace fossil fuels completely by the 2030s.
VI.
Source evaluation
The first source I want to evaluate is the U.S. Energy Administration’s article (2022) on
how nuclear energy works. This research is reliable because I cross-referenced the statistics, and
they also appeared in the news from the International Atomic Energy Agency on November 15,
2022. Secondly, this source is written by the EIA, a key agency of the US Federal Statistical
System tasked with collecting, analyzing, and distributing data on the energy sector to support
smart policies, effective markets, and public knowledge of the role of energy in the economy
and environment. This source is trustworthy because its materials have been verified and
peer-reviewed by journalists before they were published on Google Scholar.
The second source I want to evaluate is Dr. Hoesung Lee and Dr. Faith Birol’s article
(2020) on the role of energy in climate change. This research is reliable because I
cross-referenced the statistics, and they also appeared in the Oregon Department of Energy’s
news. Secondly, this article is written by Dr. Hoesung Lee, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change, and Dr. Faith Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency,
which means the authors are both experts in the field of climate change. This source is reliable
because it has been fact-checked and verified by the WMO and UNEP.
VII.
Course of action
Despite the fact that nuclear power is the second largest source of “clean” electrical
source (IAEA, 2020), it must be more stable and affordable to even consider it as an option for
alternative energy sources.
The French government could substitute fossil fuels with other, cheaper renewable
energy sources, such as wind or solar, with those being the safer options. France should also
promote the importance of saving energy and being eco-friendly, as this could reduce the
amount of fossil fuel burned and therefore the number of emissions.
I will personally reduce the amount of energy I consume by turning off appliances when
they aren't required and using social media to make people aware of the consequences of
climate change worldwide. Lastly, participate in volunteer projects to help improve the
environment in any way possible.
VIII.
Personal reflection
In conclusion, alternate fossil fuels to nuclear energy as the main energy source is too
risky as it is too expensive and insecure. Global organizations and governments can promote the
idea of saving the environment and reducing the amount of energy consumed in order to solve
climate change. Also, they can alternate fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as solar
or wind, as they are affordable and clean. Before researching this topic, I was already aware of
climate change worldwide, but I was shocked to learn that 882 species of plants and animals
had become extinct due to climate change (IUCN, 2022). I personally will spread awareness
about climate change in my local area and on social media. I might also join volunteer projects
to help with environmental and wildlife protection jobs.
IX.
Bibliography
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