Nuclear Power And Its Impacts On Global Warming

Affirmative Constructive

Biological/Environmental effect.

1. The burning of fossil fuels is the major factor of global warming. Global warming is the gradual heating of the earth due to carbon dioxide preventing heat from escaping. Effects of global warming include the rising of sea level and endangerment of other species. Sea level will rise because the polar ice caps are melting and this puts many coastal cities in risk of flooding, causing loss of human life. Increases in temperature affect the living environments of different plants and animals, putting some species in danger of extinction.

2. Global warming also affects human health because the warmer the earth gets, (specifically few degrees) the easier it is for epidemics and diseases to spread. Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Encephalitis are a few of the diseases that can be spread through mosquitoes. Mosquitoes thrive in warmer environments, so the increase in temperature will increase their populations. (Global Warming and Energy, Sierra Club)

Actual Product/Efficiency.

1. Nuclear power is certainly more effective at producing energy then other fossil fuels. Nuclear energy costs .4 Euro cents per kilowatt-hour, a measurement of energy produced, compared to 1.3 to 2.3 Euro cents per kilowatt-hour for natural gas, and 4 Euro cents per kilowatt hour for coal. Nuclear power is economically better then fossil fuels in producing energy. (Economics of Nuclear Power)

2. In the energy produced, nuclear outweighs fossil fuels again by a considerable amount. One kilogram of uranium produces twenty thousand times the amount of energy one kilogram of coal produces. (Advantages of Nuclear Power)

Waste Product (Amount).

1. When comparing waste products, using nuclear power outweighs burning fossil fuels by a large amount. The major pollutants released into the air through fossil fuels are carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. Coal is by far the worst, releasing 2250 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour of electricity produced, 13 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 6 pounds of nitrogen oxide. Oil then follows with 1675 pounds of carbon dioxide, 12 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 4 pounds of nitrogen oxide. Natural gas produces 1135 pounds of carbon dioxide, .1 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 1.7 pounds of nitrogen oxide. Nuclear power produces none of the three pollutants. (Ron Hagen of the Energy Information Administration). The effects of these are clearly stated in point. Rebuttal:

2. Nuclear waste, a solid waste, consists of spent fuel, chemicals that assist with the process, and heated cooling water. Unlike waste of fossil fuels, nuclear waste is contained and managed until disposal or storage instead of being Ð'ÐŽÐ'odisposedÐ'ÐŽÐ'± through releasing its