15 of 19

No

Write now Article Tools

To begin with, there is no such thing as THE answer to global warming. That would assume there was only one cause, which is not the case. Addressing nuclear energy in particular, however, there are several problems with relying on it for energy production.

Nuclear energy advocates say that nuclear energy is ideal because it doesn't put off greenhouse gases. This is only true if you're looking at the final product of nuclear fuel being used in a nuclear reactor to produce electricity. It kind of falls apart, however, if you look at the process leading up to the existence of that reactor and the fuel it contains.

One of the major sources of greenhouse gases is fuel combustion. Where does the fuel in a nuclear reactor come from? It comes from the ground; it must be dug up. What digs it up? Earth-moving machinery that operates on-you guessed it-fuel. Nobody has invented earth-moving machinery or mining equipment that operate without pollution. This would seem to be a rather important oversight.

Similar issues are involved with the building of the reactor. Have you ever heard of a building contractor that does its job with no combustion fuel whatsoever? Me either. And what isn't powered by fuel has to be powered by electricity. That electricity has to be generated from somewhere. Diesel fuel and gasoline are definitely involved.

Furthermore, consider where uranium comes from. Because it's underground, one must dig to obtain it. It is often found in areas with trees and other ground cover, so these must be cleared away. When you cut down vegetation you eliminate some of Nature's best carbon-scrubbers. A uranium mine isn't a tropical rainforest, mind you, but if the end goal is to reduce global warming then perhaps we need to be looking at other ways to do that without destroying what the Earth already has in place to keep atmospheric carbon in check.

Also, when one digs up the soil, that is another source of atmospheric carbon. (This is also a problem with farming, since you have to plow first before you can plant.) Disturbed earth puts off CO2 in large amounts. Again, uranium mining isn't the same as vast stretches of farmland, but if what we're after is reducing global warming, why do things that increase it even a little?

Once the reactor is built and the fuel put into it, that's not the end of the story. Fuel still needs to be transported to the reactor site periodically. That is going to require the production of greenhouse gases. And one day the reactor will need

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Is nuclear power the answer to global warming??
We want to hear your view. Write now!