0
The short answer is, "Not a lot, providing that nothing goes wrong for a time much longer than human history."
Nuclear power is a source of carbon dioxide, a global warming gas, as a result of the mining, refining, enriching and transportation of fuel, the construction of the plant, the decommissioning of the plant, and whatever handling of nuclear waste we eventually decide to do. Its production of carbon dioxide per unit of power produced is much lower than that of fossil fuels, even when they are used in the most efficient ways known. By contrast such processes as burning methane from sewage, landfills, and farms is said to be carbon-negative because the pollution it creates is nowhere nearly as bad as the pollution it destroys.
Nuclear power also creates radioactive waste, which can pollute when it is accidentally released, and this can have a very considerable environmental effect as well as economic. The Chernobyl disaster rendered large tracts of land unusable for any purpose for years, and smaller tracts unusable for centuries. For many years, 20% of the GNP of Belarus went into cleanup. There were agricultural losses over a thousand miles away, in places considered to be upwind.
The radioactive waste also has to be stored safely for about six million years before it is as safe to handle as naturally occurring uranium ore, which is not really very safe to handle. There are about seventy thousand tons of this waste in existence at this point, and the plutonium in this waste has been calculated to be sufficient to kill all animal life on earth several times over. We have to consider the possibility that some of this will be released as part of the understanding of nuclear pollution.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Nuclear energy production does not directly emit greenhouse gases or air pollutants. However, the nuclear fuel cycle and waste management do produce some pollution, such as radioactive waste. Proper handling and management of these byproducts are essential to minimize environmental impact.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What other names are there for nuclear energy?
Other names for nuclear energy include atomic energy, nuclear power, and atomic power.
Can energy create energy?
Yes, energy can create more energy through processes like nuclear fusion or nuclear fission, where the release of energy from splitting or combining atoms results in the generation of more energy. Additionally, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power harness energy from natural sources to produce electricity.
How much of the world's energy is currently generated through nuclear power?
Around 10% of the world's energy is generated from nuclear power.
How much of the worlds energy is produced by nuclear power?
Currently, nuclear power accounts for around 10% of the world's total energy production.
Which is more destructive a nuclear bomb or a hydrogen bomb?
A hydrogen bomb (thermonuclear bomb) is more destructive than a regular nuclear bomb (fission bomb). Hydrogen bombs release much larger amounts of energy and have the potential to create significantly more devastation and damage.
What is main disadvantage of fusion?
It requires almost as much energy to create nuclear fusion as the energy it creates. :)
How much of Colorado's energy is nuclear?
There are no nuclear generating plants in Colorado
How does nuclear energy impact the environment?
Not much pollution unless there is a nuclear reaction.
How much nuclear energy is used in Indiana?
Indiana has no nuclear power plants.
How can nuclear energy be captured and transformed into electrical energy?
Nuclear energy is captured in a nuclear reactor where uranium atoms undergo fission, releasing heat. This heat is used to produce steam, which then drives a turbine connected to a generator to produce electricity. The electricity generated is then transmitted through power lines for use.
How much energy can a recycled bottle create?
Recycling does not create energy. It reduces the expenditure of energy.
How much percent of Saskatchewan uses nuclear energy?
None of Saskatchewan's electricity generation comes from nuclear sources. The province relies primarily on fossil fuel sources such as coal, natural gas, and hydroelectricity for its energy needs.
Does hydro energy cost less then nuclear energy?
Yes much less
How much better or worse is nuclear energy?
Compared to what?
How much nuclear energy does Australia use?
As of 2021, Australia relies on nuclear energy for less than 1% of its electricity generation. The country does not have any commercial nuclear power plants, but it does have a research reactor used for medical and research purposes.
What are the improvements being made for using conventional sources of energy?
Improvements in conventional sources of energy include advancements in efficiency, reduced emissions through cleaner combustion technologies, and enhanced integration with renewable energy sources for a more diversified energy mix. Additionally, research and development efforts are focused on carbon capture and storage technologies to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional energy sources.
Is noise pollution a possible negative effect of nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy itself, in a nuclear reactor, does not produce noise. The associated steam turbine plant will produce some noise, but probably not much outside the plant boundaries. The exception would be when a turbine has suddenly shutdown and steam has to be blown off for a while, that would probably be heard for a mile or two.
