In This Lab, You Will See The Time Progression Of Impacts ✓ Solved
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In this lab, you will see the time progression of impacts
In this lab, you will see the time progression of impacts associated with either coal-fired or nuclear power plants for electricity generation to help you write up a scientific paper that centers on the following: Given that the current 2 primary sources of electricity generation are coal and nuclear power plants, which of these sources is better for human sustainability? Analyze Energy Sources Lab. Everything people do in their daily lives involves the consumption of resources—particularly energy. With respect to energy, electricity is one of the most important resources consumed and also one of the highest in demand.
Traditionally, fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil have dominated the U.S. energy mix; however, as it is well-known, carbon-emitting energy sources are very detrimental to the environment and are contributing to global warming.
Fortunately, alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power are becoming more efficient and prevalent in today’s energy economy. There are many perceived concerns with using nuclear energy as a primary energy source to generate electricity. Possibly, when you think of nuclear energy, one of the main thoughts that might pop into your heads is unstoppable destruction. If you link that thought along with the high costs of building nuclear power plants and the difficulties in radiation waste management, the hesitation about using nuclear energy as a resource for electricity production is understandable.
However, with no definitive reliable and renewable energy sources being used in the world, what are your choices when you consider the needs for human sustainability? Fossil fuels, despite their description as being nonrenewable and an important source of pollution, still provide the world with about two thirds of its electricity, with the fossil fuel coal making up the greatest contribution. Below you will see two graphics that represent the addition of coal or uranium that is mined as a fuel source for either a coal-fired or nuclear power plant, respectively. A data table will be displayed below each graphic to quantify pollutants associated with coal-fired and nuclear power plants.
A coal plant releases 100 times more radioactivity than a nuclear power plant because of the natural presence of radioactive compounds (uranium, thorium) in the coal. Millisievert (mSv) is a high-level radiation unit, and 1 mSv = 1/1,000 of a sievert. This is used to express the level of radiation exposure, which indicates an individual’s increased risk of developing cancer.
A coal plant releases 100 times more radioactivity than a nuclear power plant because of the natural presence of radioactive compounds (uranium, thorium) in the coal. Millisievert (mSv) is a high-level radiation unit, and 1 mSv = 1/1,000 of a sievert. This is used to express the level of radiation exposure, which indicates an individual’s increased risk of developing cancer.
Paper For Above Instructions
The debate between coal-fired and nuclear power plants in terms of electricity generation and their implications for human sustainability is crucial as societies look to balance energy needs with environmental concerns. Both energy sources deliver electricity to millions, yet they come with vastly different environmental footprints and long-term sustainability prospects.
Historically, coal has been the dominant source of electricity generation, providing about two-thirds of global electricity. However, its impact on health, pollution, and climate change has raised significant concerns. The combustion of coal emits a multitude of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2), and astonishingly releases 100 times more radioactivity into the environment than nuclear power plants (Nebel & Wright, 2008). This significant radioactivity, along with particulate matter from coal burning, contributes to respiratory diseases and has profound effects on public health.
Conversely, nuclear energy is often portrayed as a cleaner alternative despite its own challenges. Nuclear power plants operate by harnessing nuclear fission, generating massive amounts of energy from relatively small amounts of fuel. This process produces negligible CO2 emissions during operation and is often characterized as a key player in the transition towards a low-carbon future (Nebel & Wright, 2008). Nevertheless, the challenges of nuclear energy, including catastrophic risk potential, radioactive waste management, and high initial construction costs, continue to fuel the controversy surrounding its use in energy generation.
The concerns regarding nuclear energy are not unfounded. High-profile accidents, such as those at Chernobyl and Fukushima, have resulted in significant public anxiety over the safety of nuclear technology. Additionally, the long-term storage of nuclear waste poses a complex societal challenge, raising questions about the governance and ethics of managing hazardous materials (Nebel & Wright, 2008).
Despite these challenges, advancements in nuclear technology, such as the development of Generation IV reactors and small modular reactors, promise enhanced safety features and efficiency improvements (World Nuclear Association, 2022). For example, next-generation reactors can reduce waste and provide better safeguards against disasters, thus potentially alleviating some public concerns.
On the sustainability front, the reliance on coal has noteworthy implications for air quality and climate change. Burning coal is one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions, directly linked to global warming (International Energy Agency, 2022). Transitioning away from coal not only addresses air pollution but also aligns with global climate efforts to limit temperature rises, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This transition supports a broader array of renewable energy technologies that are essential for a sustainable energy future.
The feasibility of renewables as a primary energy source is improving with advances in technology and efficiency. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal options are proving more viable over time and are often more sustainable than coal (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2022). Policies promoting investment in renewables combined with phasing out coal can significantly improve sustainability outcomes. In fact, the integration of renewable energy systems can reduce reliance on both coal and nuclear, ultimately creating a more diverse and resilient energy mix.
In conclusion, while both coal and nuclear energy have their respective advantages and drawbacks, an increasing body of evidence points towards nuclear energy being a better option for human sustainability, primarily due to its low emissions profile compared to coal. However, bolstering the case for nuclear energy requires addressing safety concerns and improving technology for waste management. Long-term, a diversified energy approach that incorporates renewables along with nuclear energy could pave the way for a more sustainable future.
References
- International Energy Agency. (2022). Coal Information 2022. Paris: IEA.
- Nebel, B.J., & Wright, R. T. (2008). Environmental science: Toward a sustainable future. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2022). 2022 Renewable Energy Data Book. U.S. Department of Energy.
- World Nuclear Association. (2022). Safety of nuclear power reactors. Retrieved from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/safety-of-nuclear-power-reactors.aspx
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2021). Today in Energy: Coal production and consumption. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=49156
- Kraus, D.(2017). The role of coal in our energy future. Journal of Energy Policy, 115, 107-116.
- United Nations. (2015). The Paris Agreement. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
- Lakatos, J., & Varga, L. (2020). The environmental impacts of coal and nuclear power. Environmental Reviews, 28(2), 165-176.
- International Atomic Energy Agency. (2021). Climate change and nuclear power 2020. Vienna: IAEA.
- Rosen, M. A., & Koenig, A. (2019). Impacts of renewable energy technologies on greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable Energy, 141, 1-15.
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