As concerns surrounding global warming and climate change continue to grow, so do the efforts to make energy production more sustainable. Although there has been an increase in electricity powered by wind and solar energy, it has failed to displace fossil fuels as a main contributor to electricity production.
Nuclear power has received a growing interest from countries around the world as the next best option for producing sustainable, low emissions energy. According to the New York Times, 28 countries have signed a pledge to triple the world’s use of nuclear power by 2050 in an effort to achieve climate goals.
Nuclear reactors produce electricity without emitting high levels of greenhouse gases. Since 2000, carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 40% to 33.1 billion tonnes despite increased initiatives to keep global temperatures from rising by 1.5 degrees celsius, according to the World Nuclear Association.
This is largely due to the fact that “clean” energy production, such as wind and solar, are not able to keep up with the rising demands in electricity and need to be backed by fossil fuels.
Nuclear power would be able to replace fossil fuels while emitting the same level of emissions produced by wind, and a third of emissions produced by solar.
Hesitation is warranted, however. Incidents such as the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 have fueled negative reactions from the public. Countries like Germany and Japan have done away with their nuclear reactors due to public demand, according to the New York Times.
There are also arguments against the use of nuclear power in what is defined as “clean” energy. Nuclear energy is clean in that its carbon emissions are basically equal to or less than natural energy sources like wind and solar, but not so much when considering its waste production and management.
As it stands, nuclear power still has yet to gain public support, with many still seeing the risks as outweighing the rewards of its expansion. Nalani Fierro, a sophomore majoring in aviation flight, says “While there are pros to nuclear power like producing lots of power and not releasing carbon into the atmosphere, nuclear power still is not sustainable. At a certain point we will run low again, and then what power source will we turn to?”
While there are agreed benefits to using nuclear power, there is a possibility that the time for focusing efforts on nuclear energy has come and gone and that time and money would be better spent somewhere else.
Fierro adds, “I think it is better if we invest in renewable resources instead of trying to stretch the non renewable resources.”
In theory, the initiatives placed towards nuclear power to become a more sustainable option of energy production leaves a positive outlook for the future of the climate.
The possibility of a low-emissions method of reliable energy production exists, it is just a question of whether or not the time, money and risks are worth the rewards.
Lewis has implemented several of its own initiatives to do its part to help the environment. Most notably is Lewis’ status as an arboretum – a tree sanctuary.
The 2,400 trees have pulled 291,714 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air and saved 738,581 gallons of rainwater in addition to cutting the electric bill in the summer by providing shade to buildings.
Although the discussion of nuclear reactors isn’t in the current or future discussions for sustainability at Lewis, there are still plenty of efforts being run to ensure a greener campus life for students.
