The 5 Main Environmental Benefits of Nuclear Power: The Big Picture

The 5 Main Environmental Benefits of Nuclear Power: The Big Picture

By
Grace Cabrera

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After the construction of the first nuclear power plant in 1954, the post-World War II era saw rapid development that led to nuclear being our second-largest source of low-carbon energy today. Given how much we use nuclear power, we had to ask: What are the environmental benefits of nuclear power?

The main environmental benefits of nuclear power include having a very low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, and generating very few waste products. Overall, nuclear power is considered to be an environmentally friendly energy source.

Keep reading to find out all about what the environmental benefits of nuclear power are, how safe and dangerous it is, what its pros and cons are, and how nuclear power can specifically help mitigate climate change.

The Big Picture of the Environmental Benefits of Nuclear Power

The two ways we can generate nuclear power are via nuclear fission (when neutrons divide) or nuclear fusion (when neutrons fuse).

  • Nuclear fission is the generation of energy produced when splitting apart the nucleus of an atom. 

Nuclear fission: a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.”

Cambridge Dictionary
  • Nuclear fusion is the generation of energy produced when lighter atoms are combined or fused to create larger and heavier atoms.

Nuclear fusion: the process of joining two nuclei to produce energy.”

Cambridge Dictionary

All operating nuclear power plants today utilize the process of nuclear fission, whereas nuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase.

Related: Are you interested in learning more about the big picture of nuclear power? Check it out in this article here: “How Does Nuclear Power Work? From Source Till Energy Generation
How Environmentally Friendly Is Nuclear PowerOverall, nuclear fission is considered to be environmentally friendly in its operating stage but not in its building and building back stages due to the environmental threats of uranium mining and nuclear waste.
Benefit #1: Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint On a life-cycle basis, nuclear power emits 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, the second lowest out of all fuel types.
Benefit #2: Nuclear power protects air qualityNuclear power is a clean burning source of energy that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and emits no CO, SO2, or NOx, thereby helping to protect air quality.
Benefit #3: Nuclear power generates few waste productsNuclear power produces substantially less waste than other forms of energy and only a small amount of high-level, radioactive waste.
Benefit #4: Nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accidentNuclear fusion reactions cannot cause a nuclear accident because they are not based on chain reactions. 
Benefit #5: Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weaponsNuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons because it does not use fissile material and uses only a small amount of fuel.

What Are the 5 Main Environmental Benefits of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and generates few waste products. In addition, nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weapons. 

Environmental Benefit #1: Nuclear Power Has a Low Carbon Footprint 

Nuclear power has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types.

Environmental Benefit #1

The carbon footprint is one of the ways we measure the effects of human-induced global climate change. It primarily focuses on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with consumption and includes other emissions such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Carbon footprint: the amount of greenhouse gasses and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period”

Merriam Webster

All operating nuclear power plants today utilize the process of nuclear fission. Because of this, nuclear fission is commonly referred to as ‘nuclear power’ in the data and literature.

On a life-cycle basis, nuclear power emits 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, the second lowest out of all fuel types.

Have a look at the illustration below to see the average life-cycle CO2 equivalent emissions of different energy sources and how they compare to nuclear power.

Illustration of the Average life-cycle CO2 equivalent emissions from World Nuclear Association
World Nuclear Association: Average life-cycle CO2 equivalent emissions

Nuclear fusion also produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and toxic byproducts, making it one of our most environmentally friendly energy sources. One study on tokamak fusion power plants found that they emit less CO2 than photovoltaic solar systems and less than double those from nuclear fission reactors. 

There are currently more than 10 stellarators and 50 tokamaks in operation worldwide, but there are currently no operating fusion reactors providing energy to our power grid. The focus remains on overcoming the two main challenges to nuclear fusion: keeping the reaction going and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction. 

Overall, nuclear power has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types, making it one of our cleanest sources of energy. 

Related: Are you interested in learning more about the carbon footprint of nuclear power? Check it out in this article here: “What Is the Carbon Footprint of Nuclear Power? A Life-Cycle Analysis

Environmental Benefit #2: Nuclear Power Protects Air Quality

Nuclear power produces a fraction of the pollution and toxic chemicals that fossil fuels produce, helping to protect air quality.

Environmental Benefit #2

Air pollution can cause numerous health problems including asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, and cancer. Fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) combustion emits coal ash residue, toxic heavy metals, CO2, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, impairing public health.

In terms of nuclear fission, every 1-inch pellet of nuclear fuel directly avoids the emission of over 2 tons of CO2 from our atmosphere. This is because each pellet contains the energy equivalent of 1 ton of coal, which creates 2.086 tons (4,172 lbs) of CO2 when it is burned.

Nuclear fusion also produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and toxic byproducts, making it one of our most environmentally friendly energy sources in terms of air quality.

In short, nuclear power is a clean burning source of energy that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and emits no CO, SO2, or NOx, thereby helping to protect air quality.

Environmental Benefit #3: Nuclear Power Generates Few Waste Products 

Nuclear power produces substantially less waste than other forms of energy.

Environmental Benefit #3

Just as with any energy source, nuclear power generates some waste products. But the amount generated is substantially less than other forms of energy.

In terms of nuclear fission, a reactor supplying a person’s energy needs for an entire year produces only a brick-sized amount of nuclear waste. And only 5 grams of that, equivalent to the weight of a sheet of paper, is considered to be a high-level, radioactive waste.

In comparison, the average coal-fired power plant produces roughly 300,000 tons of coal ash and more than 6 million tons of CO2 every year. In the US alone, you could fit all of its used nuclear fuel over the past 60 years into a single football field at a depth of less than 10 yards (30 feet).

In terms of nuclear fusion, it does not produce CO2 or long-lived nuclear wastes. The only byproducts are helium (an inert gas) and tritium. Although tritium is radioactive, it is produced and consumed within the plant in a closed circuit and is used in low amounts. 

Environmental Benefit #4: Nuclear Fusion Cannot Cause a Nuclear Accident

Nuclear fusion reactions cannot cause a nuclear accident because they are not based on chain reactions.

Environmental Benefit #4

Achieving and maintaining a nuclear fusion reaction is extremely difficult. There is only enough fuel present in the reactor to sustain the reaction for a few seconds at any given time, so a chain reaction cannot form.

Chain reaction: a process yielding products that initiate further processes of the same kind, a self-sustaining sequence.” Britannica

In addition, plasma must be kept at very high temperatures and pressures, with the support of external heating systems and magnetic fields. If there is a loss of pressure or temperature, the plasma cools and the fusion reactor shuts down, preventing a chain reaction from occurring and producing no adverse effects on the outside world.

This does not apply to nuclear fission because fission reactions are based on chain reactions, which can lead to the uncontrolled release of radioactive materials.

Environmental Benefit #5: Nuclear Fusion Cannot Be Used to Produce Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons because it does not use fissile material and uses only a small amount of fuel.

Environmental Benefit #5

Nuclear fusion does not use fissile material (e.g., uranium and plutonium) in its reactor. Hydrogen bombs do use fusion reactions; however, they require an additional nuclear fission bomb to detonate. So on its own, fusion cannot solely be used to produce nuclear weapons.

In addition, nuclear fusion fuel is also continuously injected and consumed inside fusion reactors, so there is never enough fuel lying around to produce the instantaneous power required in a nuclear weapon.

This does not apply to nuclear fission because fission does use fissile material (e.g., uranium and plutonium) in its reactor.

What Are the 3 Environmental Drawbacks of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power generates nuclear waste with varying radioactivity. In addition, nuclear fission is a nonrenewable resource that can negatively impact the environment.

3 Environmental Drawbacks of Nuclear PowerQuick Facts
Drawback #1: Nuclear power generates nuclear wasteNuclear power produces nuclear waste that is radioactive and can remain hazardous for many years, depending on the type. 
Drawback #2: Nuclear fission is a nonrenewable energy source Nuclear fission is classified as nonrenewable energy because nuclear fuel (Uranium) is a finite material that can only be found in certain locations in the Earth’s crust.
Drawback #3: Nuclear fission can negatively impact the environmentUranium mining can contaminate the environment with radiation, water-borne toxins, and radon gas.
Related: Are you interested in learning more about the environmental drawbacks of nuclear power? Check out the full article here: “The 3 Environmental Drawbacks of Nuclear Power: The Big Picture

How Environmentally Friendly Is Nuclear Power

Overall, nuclear power is not considered to be environmentally friendly.

Environmentally friendly: (of products) not harming the environment.”

Cambridge Dictionary

Nuclear power varies in environmental friendliness. The operating and maintenance stage is more environmentally friendly when compared to the building and building back stages.

How environmentally friendly is the building of nuclear powerThis stage is not considered to be environmentally friendly because of the negative environmental effects associated with uranium mining, nuclear waste, and transportation. 
How environmentally friendly is the operating and maintaining of nuclear powerThis stage is considered to be environmentally friendly because minimal emissions are produced, and nuclear accidents are rare occurrences in the overall history of nuclear power.
How environmentally friendly is the building back of nuclear powerThe smaller the nuclear facility, the more environmentally friendly the building back stage is considered. Nuclear fusion is generally more environmentally friendly at this stage than nuclear fission because nuclear fusion radioactivity decreases exponentially faster than nuclear fission radioactivity. 
Related: Are you interested in learning more about how environmentally friendly nuclear power is? Check it out in this article here: “How Environmentally Friendly Is Nuclear Power? A Life-Cycle Assessment

How Safe or Dangerous Is Nuclear Power

Overall, nuclear power is considered to be minimally dangerous. Holistically and throughout its life cycle, nuclear power is safe and beneficial for human and animal health, the environment, and the energy grid. It is also significantly safer than fossil fuels and some other types of renewable energy.

Related: Are you interested in learning more about how safe or dangerous nuclear power is? Check it out in these articles here: 

Here’s How Safe Nuclear Power Is

Overall, nuclear power is a safe form of energy regarding human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and throughout all stages of its life cycle.

How Safe Is Nuclear Power at a Holistic LevelHuman and Animal Health: Nuclear power is considered safe when it comes to human and animal health due to the rarity of nuclear accidents.
Environment: Nuclear power emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions and has a minimal effect on the environment, provided that proper siting of nuclear facilities and disposal of nuclear waste occurs.
Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Nuclear power is not only safe, but it is also a beneficial addition to our energy grid and supporting infrastructure
How Safe Is Nuclear Power Across Its Life-CycleBuilding: Safe work practices and proper training can mitigate the risks associated with the building stage of nuclear power.
Operating and Maintaining: Nuclear power is generally considered safe to operate and maintain, if proper precautionary measures are followed.
Building Back: This final stage is considered to be safe overall, with the hazard of handling, containing, and disposing of spent nuclear materials able to be mitigated with proper procedures and safe work practices.
How Safe Is Nuclear Power In Comparison to Other Types of EnergyNuclear power is one of our safest forms of energy that has one of the lowest death rates from accidents and air pollution per unit of electricity generation.

Here’s How Dangerous Nuclear Power Is

Overall, nuclear power is considered minimally dangerous in terms of human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and through all stages of its life cycle. 

How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power at a Holistic LevelHuman and Animal Health: Nuclear power can be dangerous to human and animal health if proper measures are not in place.
Environment: Nuclear power is minimally dangerous to the environment, provided that proper siting of nuclear facilities and disposal of nuclear waste occurs.
Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Nuclear power is not considered to be dangerous to our energy grid and supporting infrastructure.
How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power Across Its Life-CycleBuilding: Nuclear power plant construction and uranium mining come with the danger of radiation exposure.
Operating and Maintaining: Nuclear power is considered minimally dangerous to operate and maintain if proper precautionary measures are followed.
Building Back: Decommissioning nuclear power facilities comes with risks involving direct contact with spent nuclear fuel and radioactive plasma vessel walls.
How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power in Comparison to Other Types of EnergyNuclear power is one of our safest forms of energy that has one of the lowest death rates from accidents and air pollution per unit of electricity generation.

What Are The 7 Pros and 4 Cons of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, is extremely energy dense, generates few waste products, and promotes energy independence and energy security. In addition, nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weapons.

Nuclear power generates nuclear waste with varying radioactivity. In addition, nuclear fission is a nonrenewable resource and nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase because the fusion reaction is very difficult to start and maintain.

Related: Are you interested in learning more about the pros and cons of nuclear fission? Check out the full article here: “Nuclear Power: All 7 Pros and 4 Cons Explained

What Are the 7 Pros of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, is extremely energy dense, generates few waste products, and promotes energy independence and energy security. In addition, nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weapons.

7 Pros of Nuclear PowerQuick Facts
#1: Nuclear power has a low carbon footprintOn a life-cycle basis, nuclear power emits 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, the second lowest out of all fuel types.
#2: Nuclear power protects air qualityNuclear power is a clean burning source of energy that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and emits no CO, SO2, or NOx, thereby helping to protect air quality.
#3: Nuclear power is energy dense Nuclear fuel (uranium, deuterium, and tritium) are all extremely energy dense, meaning you don’t need a lot of it to create a lot of energy.
#4: Nuclear power generates few waste productsNuclear power produces substantially less waste than other forms of energy and only a small amount of high-level, radioactive waste.
#5: Nuclear power promotes energy independence and energy securityNuclear power can help us transition away from fossil fuels and towards an energy-independent future.
#6: Nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident Nuclear fusion reactions cannot cause a nuclear accident because they are not based on chain reactions
#7: Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons because it does not use fissile material and uses only a small amount of fuel.

What Are the 4 Cons of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power generates nuclear waste with varying radioactivity. In addition, nuclear fission is a nonrenewable resource and nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase because the fusion reaction is very difficult to start and maintain.

4 Cons of Nuclear PowerQuick Facts
#1: Nuclear power generates nuclear wasteNuclear power produces nuclear waste that is radioactive and can remain hazardous for many years, depending on the type. 
#2: Nuclear fission is a nonrenewable energy source Nuclear fission is classified as nonrenewable energy because nuclear fuel (Uranium) is a finite material that can only be found in certain locations in the Earth’s crust.
#3: Nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phaseNuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase because the fusion process is difficult to start, maintain, and control.
#4: Nuclear fusion reactions are difficult to start and maintainThe two main challenges to nuclear fusion are maintaining the reaction and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction.

How Effective and Efficient Is Nuclear Power

In terms of effectiveness, nuclear power effectively generates nuclear energy by having a low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, being energy dense, generating few waste products, and promoting energy independence and security.

In terms of efficiency, nuclear power uses energy-dense input materials to efficiently generate nuclear energy and has a small land-use carbon footprint when compared to other energy types.

Nuclear power is effective because:

However, nuclear power can lack effectiveness because:

Nuclear power is efficient because:

However, nuclear fusion can lack efficiency because the two main challenges to fusion are maintaining the reaction and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction.

Related: Are you interested in learning more about how effective and efficient nuclear power is? Check out the full article here: “How Effective and Efficient Is Nuclear Power?

How Can Nuclear Power Help Mitigate Climate Change

Climate change is a severe, long-term consequence of fossil fuel combustion. If left untreated, atmospheric CO2 can remain there for tens of thousands of years and exacerbate the negative effects of climate change. Nuclear power emits less CO2 upon operation than fossil fuels and can therefore reduce our total emissions. 

How Is Climate Change Defined

Climate change is arguably the most severe, long-term global impact of CO2. Every year, we emit approximately 37 billion tons of CO2. The carbon found in fossil fuels reacts with oxygen in the air to produce CO2

Climate change: changes in the earth’s weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gasses, especially carbon dioxide.

Oxford Dictionary

When carbon enters the atmosphere, it absorbs sunlight and solar radiation, trapping the heat and acting as an insulator for the planet.

Since the Industrial Revolution, Earth’s temperature has risen a little more than 1 degree Celsius (°C), or 2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Between 1880-1980 the global temperature rose by 0.07°C every 10 years. This rate has more than doubled since 1981, with a current global annual temperature rise of 0.2°C, or 0.36°F, for every decade

How Does Nuclear Power Specifically Help Mitigate Climate Change

The global average concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere today registers at 419 parts per million (ppm), the highest ever recorded. Nuclear power can help lower this concentration because it can replace some of the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) with a cleaner form of renewable energy.

Nuclear power helps to avoid 1.5 gigatons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year and 180 billion cubic meters of global gas demand per year. In the past 50 years, nuclear power has helped avoid over 70 gigatons of GHG emissions

Increasing nuclear power energy usage can reduce CO2 emissions, and the more we reduce CO2 emissions, the more we combat the negative effects associated with climate change including temperature rise, sea-level rise, ice melting, and ocean acidification. When these rates are slowed, the earth’s biodiversity does not have to struggle to adapt to temperature and pH changes. People will not be displaced due to the flooding of coastal areas. And icebergs will continue to provide climate regulation. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, nuclear power is considered to be an environmentally friendly energy source. The main environmental benefits of nuclear power include having very low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, and generating very few waste products. Nuclear fusion has the added environmental benefits of not being able to cause a nuclear accident or be used to make nuclear weapons.

Environmentally friendly energy is poised to see continued growth in the future as we look to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming. As we look towards a future without fossil fuels, nuclear power can help us bridge the gap in a time of transition.

Stay impactful,

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