Sustainable development is a goal that spans national borders and affects generations of people. It combines environmental conservation, economic development, and social welfare. Therefore, the most critical responsibility of any sustainable development program is to address these three issues in a balanced way.
Energy is a central consideration in sustainable development. Energy production and use are crucial to economic growth and social advancement, especially in emerging societies. Moreover, all modes of energy generation have an environmental effect, including resource consumption, pollution, labor, etc. This article will examine whether nuclear power satisfies the requirements of the environment, economy, and society—whether it has a role in sustainable development.
Nuclear Power Deserves A Place At The Table
No energy source comes without tradeoffs. Nuclear power is no different. Nevertheless, an examination of atomic energy reveals that its employment is consistent with the fundamental tenets of sustainability. That is, it satisfies current needs without negatively impacting the ability of future generations to do likewise.
Under regular use, nuclear energy has only a modest affect on health and the environment. This is because most nuclear plants operate under tight regulatory constraints and provide a reliable power base. However, to continue serving its role, operators need to account for higher competition in the energy market, aging infrastructure and facilities, and new growth in developing nations.
Atomic Energy Has A Low Environmental Impact
Nuclear fuel is incredibly energy dense. One ton of uranium stores the same amount of energy as 14,000 to 23,000 tons of coal, depending on the type. Moreover, geographical deposits of the element are dispersed widely around the globe, making the supply relatively secure and accessible. In modern mining, advances in extraction and processing have minimized both human and environmental consequences.
Some have raised the concern that uranium is not technically renewable. Depending on the time scale under discussion, this may be true. However, intensive prospecting in the 1940s and 1970s revealed resources well above projected needs. Since the mid-20th century, 2.3 million tons of natural uranium have been produced, while known deposits have grown by an even larger amount. As of 2009, known conventional uranium deposits were adequate for 100 years of supply at the current consumption rates.
High-profile disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima have generated concern over accidents and the nature of nuclear waste. While we should never discount tragic disasters, the fact remains that well-managed nuclear sites have the lowest safety and environmental risks of any power source—especially when it comes to emissions.
Recent advances in reactor design have reduced the amount of waste they produce. Nevertheless, there is still a dangerous byproduct. However, the volume is minuscule compared to nearly every other power source. For example, the entire waste output for Switzerland's reactor program, going back almost 50 years, fills one room of one warehouse. Long-term storage above or below ground, though not as ideal as zero-waste, has been hugely successful. For perspective, nuclear waste accounts for less than 1% of total hazardous waste generated by nuclear-powered nations. And the waste is meticulously tracked and stored.
The Economy And Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy generates a tremendous amount of carbon-free baseload electricity at a stable yet variable cost. While existing nuclear power plants are economically competitive and perform well in deregulated energy markets, the future of nuclear power must face high startup costs. Up to 70% of the lifetime expenses of a new plant may be payable before the power is on. Critics of nuclear power often point to this high-up front cost as evidence of unsustainability.
However, once operational, nuclear power plants have extremely low variable costs and are very competitive, making retrofitting and maintaining existing reactors an appealing economic proposition. Of course, any expansions must happen under careful regulatory monitoring, addressing all degraded or outdated components.
Nuclear Power's Societal Issues
Nuclear energy has a bifurcated societal impact. In the practical sense, it benefits local economies by providing low-cost energy, supporting well-paying jobs, and spearheading technological development. But on the other hand, there are broad public perceptions about nuclear power that account only for the low-probability negatives like environmental contamination or military use.
Unfortunately, discussions about any type of energy often become political and not practical. Governments should engage the public in a discourse about every energy source's environmental, economic, and social impacts. The fact-based debate will serve to educate decision-making processes and improve nuclear energy's position in the context of sustainable development.
Nuclear Power Is Sustainable, But It Remains Stigmatized
On paper, nuclear power should easily take its place as part of the solution to our long-term sustainable energy needs. Low emissions, job, and energy production, and accessibility all recommend it as a way to address environmental, economic, and societal concerns. However, public opinion is generally negative. Therefore, we need to ensure that the conversation is depoliticized while the standards of nuclear energy production remain high. If we do, then nuclear power will have an essential role in sustainable development.
Key Takeaways
Support nuclear—if you think nuclear power has a role to play in a sustainability initiative, promote it! Contact your members of Congress to let them know you think it's the way to go.
Look at facts—there is no denying the tragedies of historical nuclear disasters. However, the toll that fossil fuels have exacted on the environment and human life has been higher.
Advocate—get involved with organizations promoting nuclear energy. Nuclear Matters operates a user-friendly PAC, or political action committee, discussing the benefits and updates of nuclear power.
Sustainable development is a goal that spans national borders and affects generations of people. It combines environmental conservation, economic development, and social welfare. Therefore, the most critical responsibility of any sustainable development program is to address these three issues in a balanced way.
Energy is a central consideration in sustainable development. Energy production and use are crucial to economic growth and social advancement, especially in emerging societies. Moreover, all modes of energy generation have an environmental effect, including resource consumption, pollution, labor, etc. This article will examine whether nuclear power satisfies the requirements of the environment, economy, and society—whether it has a role in sustainable development.
Sustainable development is a goal that spans national borders and affects generations of people. It combines environmental conservation, economic development, and social welfare. Therefore, the most critical responsibility of any sustainable development program is to address these three issues in a balanced way.
Energy is a central consideration in sustainable development. Energy production and use are crucial to economic growth and social advancement, especially in emerging societies. Moreover, all modes of energy generation have an environmental effect, including resource consumption, pollution, labor, etc. This article will examine whether nuclear power satisfies the requirements of the environment, economy, and society—whether it has a role in sustainable development.
Nuclear Power Deserves A Place At The Table
No energy source comes without tradeoffs. Nuclear power is no different. Nevertheless, an examination of atomic energy reveals that its employment is consistent with the fundamental tenets of sustainability. That is, it satisfies current needs without negatively impacting the ability of future generations to do likewise.
Under regular use, nuclear energy has only a modest affect on health and the environment. This is because most nuclear plants operate under tight regulatory constraints and provide a reliable power base. However, to continue serving its role, operators need to account for higher competition in the energy market, aging infrastructure and facilities, and new growth in developing nations.
Atomic Energy Has A Low Environmental Impact
Nuclear fuel is incredibly energy dense. One ton of uranium stores the same amount of energy as 14,000 to 23,000 tons of coal, depending on the type. Moreover, geographical deposits of the element are dispersed widely around the globe, making the supply relatively secure and accessible. In modern mining, advances in extraction and processing have minimized both human and environmental consequences.
Some have raised the concern that uranium is not technically renewable. Depending on the time scale under discussion, this may be true. However, intensive prospecting in the 1940s and 1970s revealed resources well above projected needs. Since the mid-20th century, 2.3 million tons of natural uranium have been produced, while known deposits have grown by an even larger amount. As of 2009, known conventional uranium deposits were adequate for 100 years of supply at the current consumption rates.
High-profile disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima have generated concern over accidents and the nature of nuclear waste. While we should never discount tragic disasters, the fact remains that well-managed nuclear sites have the lowest safety and environmental risks of any power source—especially when it comes to emissions.
Recent advances in reactor design have reduced the amount of waste they produce. Nevertheless, there is still a dangerous byproduct. However, the volume is minuscule compared to nearly every other power source. For example, the entire waste output for Switzerland's reactor program, going back almost 50 years, fills one room of one warehouse. Long-term storage above or below ground, though not as ideal as zero-waste, has been hugely successful. For perspective, nuclear waste accounts for less than 1% of total hazardous waste generated by nuclear-powered nations. And the waste is meticulously tracked and stored.
The Economy And Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy generates a tremendous amount of carbon-free baseload electricity at a stable yet variable cost. While existing nuclear power plants are economically competitive and perform well in deregulated energy markets, the future of nuclear power must face high startup costs. Up to 70% of the lifetime expenses of a new plant may be payable before the power is on. Critics of nuclear power often point to this high-up front cost as evidence of unsustainability.
However, once operational, nuclear power plants have extremely low variable costs and are very competitive, making retrofitting and maintaining existing reactors an appealing economic proposition. Of course, any expansions must happen under careful regulatory monitoring, addressing all degraded or outdated components.
Nuclear Power's Societal Issues
Nuclear energy has a bifurcated societal impact. In the practical sense, it benefits local economies by providing low-cost energy, supporting well-paying jobs, and spearheading technological development. But on the other hand, there are broad public perceptions about nuclear power that account only for the low-probability negatives like environmental contamination or military use.
Unfortunately, discussions about any type of energy often become political and not practical. Governments should engage the public in a discourse about every energy source's environmental, economic, and social impacts. The fact-based debate will serve to educate decision-making processes and improve nuclear energy's position in the context of sustainable development.
Nuclear Power Is Sustainable, But It Remains Stigmatized
On paper, nuclear power should easily take its place as part of the solution to our long-term sustainable energy needs. Low emissions, job, and energy production, and accessibility all recommend it as a way to address environmental, economic, and societal concerns. However, public opinion is generally negative. Therefore, we need to ensure that the conversation is depoliticized while the standards of nuclear energy production remain high. If we do, then nuclear power will have an essential role in sustainable development.
Key Takeaways
Support nuclear—if you think nuclear power has a role to play in a sustainability initiative, promote it! Contact your members of Congress to let them know you think it's the way to go.
Look at facts—there is no denying the tragedies of historical nuclear disasters. However, the toll that fossil fuels have exacted on the environment and human life has been higher.
Advocate—get involved with organizations promoting nuclear energy. Nuclear Matters operates a user-friendly PAC, or political action committee, discussing the benefits and updates of nuclear power.
