Nuclear power has been a constant source of controversy over the last few decades. Although the use of nuclear power has grown during this time, we still get over half of our electric power by burning fossil fuels. The environmental and economic impacts differ for these energy sources.
a. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide as a natural by-product. Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming, as discussed in chapter 10. Is this a problem with nuclear power also? Explain.
b. What environmental problems associated with nuclear power are not present in the burning of fossil fuels? Explain.
c. What environmental problems associated with fossil fuels are not present in the use of nuclear power? Explain.
d. On balance, which of these power sources would you choose to develop further if other alternatives were not available? Explain. (Reasonable people may differ here!)