Nuclear Energy Is an Answer to Global Warming

Essay by fiona_jonesJunior High, 9th grade April 2007

download word file, 5 pages 5.0 1 reviews

Global Warming is and has been an on going issue throughout the world for many years. One of the many questions brought from it is, 'Is nuclear energy the answer to global warming?'Nuclear power plants use the heat given off during fission as fuel. Fission takes place inside the reactor of a nuclear power plant, where it generates heat. The heat is used to boil water into steam. The steam turns huge turbine blades and as they turn, they drive generators that make electricity. Afterward, the steam is changed back into water and cooled in a separate structure at the power plant called a cooling tower.

In 2006 there are 442 licensed nuclear power plants in 31 different countries. Together they provide about 17% of the world with electricity.

As nuclear energy only gives out low emission and does not pollute the air, many people believe it is the way forwards.

But there are many disadvantages too, such as the radioactive waste and/or risk of explosions.

There are many other pros and cons for nuclear energy solving the world's problem of global warming, but in the long run I believe nuclear energy will help our world.

The big advantage of nuclear energy concerning the environment is that during the process of making electricity, no air pollutants such as greenhouse gases or sulphur particles are given off. This means it is a lot safer for the environment than current forms of energy used, such as coal fired power plants which pollute our air with greenhouse gasses and cause acid rain. A coal power plant actually releases 100 times more radioactivities into the atmosphere that a properly functioning nuclear power plant.

However, it is argued that if nuclear power plants take over the coal power stations it will not make any difference...