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Nuclear Wastes & Its Effects on Global Warming

As nuclear waste is carbon-free, it doesn't emit carbon dioxide or a great degree of greenhouse gases. However, the amount of waste produced is highly toxic and is not easily disposed. Approximately 85 percent of global energy is obtained from fossil fuels, which are the major contributors to global warming. Despite issues regarding waste storage, nuclear energy remains a key contender for replacing fossil fuel in an attempt to reduce the impact of global warming on the Earth.

  1. Nuclear Waste

    • Nuclear energy provides one-sixth of the world's energy and one-fifth of the energy used in the United States. Nuclear reactors utilize uranium and plutonium as raw materials. Leftover materials and byproducts, including reactive metal strontium-90, are reprocessed and either reused via improved technologies such as the Fast Breeder Reactor, or stored as waste. This waste decays slowly over long periods of time, which increases the risk that it may escape into the environment.

    Drawbacks of Nuclear Energy Replacing Fossil Fuel

    • Although nuclear energy is heralded as a mitigation strategy against global warming, studies cited by environmental groups including Greenpeace claim that approximately 1,000 additional nuclear reactors are needed to reduce global fossil fuel reliance. This is problematic as it is not yet known how to efficiently store existing toxic waste. Approximately 72,000 tons of nuclear waste exists in the U.S. alone; by 2100, it is predicted that 1.57 million tons of waste will accumulate.

    Nuclear Wastes vs. Fossil Fuel Wastes

    • Burning fossil fuel directly emits an array of gases including methane, which is approximately 50 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Further emissions of the gases occur via operating defects such as gas pipe leaks while environmental disasters such as gas explosions, acid rain and oil spills add to the problem. In addition, coal waste product fly ash emits more radiation than stored nuclear waste of an equal weight.

    Direct Contribution to Global Warming

    • Despite its carbon-free status, nuclear waste is not completely innocent of having a negative effect on global warming. According to the United States Enrichment Corporation, an estimated 150 tons of chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) are released into the atmosphere each year during the uranium enrichment cycle. This is a small amount compared to emissions made by fossil fuel burning but when greenhouse gases are compared, CFCs are considered to be 1,500 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

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