VILLAREAL, Alyssa Leigh 2A10 Renewable Energy vs Nuclear Power Plants Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities—particularly our use of energy—have a huge negative impact on the environment. Everyday, we utilize energy to cook our food, drive our cars, and light our homes, etc, by burning fossil fuels. The rising use of fossil fuels for energy production and consumption has led to an increase in the emissions of carbon dioxide, which exacerbate the effects of global warming and climate change, posing a serious threat to our planet. Our usage of energy is inevitable but doing so continuously harms the Earth. Due to the fact that it is practically impossible to produce, transport, or use energy without having a major negative influence on the environment, energy and environmental concerns are intimately intertwined. There are also several environmental issues that are directly linked to the production and consumption of energy, including air pollution, climate change, water pollution, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal. Thus, scientists continue to find sustainable energy and other viable means to solve this energy crisis, like renewable energy and nuclear power plants which emits low level of carbon. But which is more sustainable source of energy? Sustainable energy is derived from resources that can fulfill our current energy needs without compromising future generations. Based from the readings I have done, I conclude that renewable energy is more currently sustainable than nuclear power plants due to the risks it may present to the environment and well-being of the people. Although both energy are deemed to be sustainable and can help mitigate climate change since it release less carbon emissions and. Nuclear power plants seem to have more negative effect to the environment compared to renewable energy although it is more reliable since it is available 24/7 hours unlike renewable energy. The disadvantages of renewable energy are mainly related to availability, reliability, and stability since it is strongly dependent on weather and environmental conditions. Whereas the drawbacks of nuclear power plants pertain to the dangers to the environment, human health, and safety because of the radiation and pollutants they produce, which is more disadvantageous than renewable energy. Renewable energy sources produces energy through solar, wind and hydropower, which are naturally replenishing and inexhaustible but flow-limited based on the available amount of energy for a duration of period. This can be enhanced by exploring and developing new storage methods for large quantities of energy generated. Through research and development, I believe that scientists with the aid of technology can improve the efficiency of renewable energy sources and find other ways how to make renewable energy sites more small-scaled so that it does not use large lands anymore without affecting its production of energy. Methods and processes of renewable energy sources can be developed and upgraded to produce energy continuously, making it sustainable and stable source of energy. However, as for nuclear power plants, it does not meet the definition of sustainability because it uses non-renewable energy source like uranium which is predicted to supply power for hundreds of years by and will eventually run out, affecting the future generations. Uranium has to be mined, extracted, synthesized and activated to be a source of energy. But mining and enrichment of uranium are not environmental-friendly process due to the radioactive particles and the open pit hole it leaves behind, which could cause erosion and water pollution. In addition to that, when nuclear power plants are dismantled because it no longer produce energy, their systems, buildings and huge lands used may contain radioactive contamination and wastes; thus, they become unusable. Although it was also mentioned that it could be renewable energy when uranium extracted from seawater is used. Another critical problem arises from the use of nuclear plants which is the waste generated by the nuclear reactors. Nuclear energy plants produce dangerous wastes so it must be disposed in a secure location. If wastes are not properly managed and treated, it may cause leak radiation, polluting the air and nearby water systems. Collection of toxic waste was also a significant problem by nuclear programs. There are currently no long-term storage facilities for highly radioactive waste in operation since the issues of long-term storage of nuclear waste have been ignored. In countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., the search for a suitable location has gone on for decades which is more likely to continue if other countries will adopt this energy. The nuclear energy waste is also toxic and can stay radioactive for 60,000 years. A 1 gigawatt of electricity from nuclear power plant can produce 300 kg of nuclear waste, with a half-life of almost 24,000 years, and cause environmental issues. The current methods for disposing of these kinds of waste are said to be inadequate. Thus, the limited supply of fuel, potential for radioactive accidents, and waste that lasts for tens of thousands of years make nuclear energy unsustainable in the long run. Even though nuclear power plants pose more disadvantages, we cannot deny that it has played a huge role in reducing carbon emissions. It is still one of the great alternative options for generating energy instead of burning fossil fuels. But nuclear power plants should solve first the risks and problems associated in the production of nuclear energy. Because if these issues are not addressed, nuclear power will still worsen environmental issues even though it did not contribute to the release of greenhouse gasses. Instead, it contributed to the generation of waste. Therefore, renewable energy is currently the most sustainable alternative option for producing energy because it is environmental-friendly process and does not exacerbate other environmental problems. References Alwaeli, M. (2022, May). Investigation into the Current State of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Waste Management—A State-of-the-Art Review. MDPI. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/12/4275 Conca, J. (2016, March 24). Is Nuclear Power A Renewable Or A Sustainable Energy Source? Forbes. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2016/03/24/is-nuclear-power-a-renewable-or-a -sustainable-energy-source/?sh=52625e68656e Conca, J. (2016, October 3). Nuclear Power Becomes Completely Renewable With Extraction Of Uranium From Seawater. American Nuclear Society. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.ans.org/news/article-1882/nuclear-power-becomes-completely-renewable-wi th-extraction-of-uranium-from-seawater/ European Environment Agency. (2023, January 30). environmental impact of energy — European Environment Agency. European Environment Agency. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/environmental-impact-of-energy John Hopkins University. (2021, July 2). Renewable Energy vs Sustainable Energy | JHU Online. Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://energy.sais.jhu.edu/articles/renewable-energy-vs-sustainable-energy/ Karami, H. (2022, May 20). What are the Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy? GreenMatch. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2021/09/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-renewabl e-energy Kiwi Energy. (2021, March 24). Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy. Kiwi Energy. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://kiwienergy.us/pros-and-cons-of-nuclear-energy/ Perch Energy. (2022, October 27). Is Nuclear Energy Renewable Or Sustainable? Pros & Cons. Perch Energy. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.perchenergy.com/blog/energy/is-nuclear-energy-renewable-sustainable Shayan, M. E., & Ghasemzadeh, F. (2021). Nuclear Power Plants: The Processes from the Cradle to the Grave. IntechOpen. Terrapass. (2022, March 30). What Is the Environmental Impact of Large-Scale Industry? Terrapass. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://terrapass.com/blog/environmental-impact-industry/ Wealer, B., Bauer, S., Goke, L., von Hirschhausen, C. R., & Kemfert, C. (2019). High-priced and dangerous: Nuclear power is not an option for the climate-friendly energy mix. doi:10.18723/diw_dwr:2019-30-1
