is coal or power plants more harmful to the environment?

Question

we are beginning to use nuclear plants to power our homes. is this more harmful to the environment, on a large scale

Answer 1

Generally, power stations that burn coal/natural gas are harmful as they release harmful substances like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which causing acid rain.

Nuclear powering releases a relatively small amount of pollutants. However, there might be problems like radiation if nuclear waste is treated unproperly.

But on a large scale, nuclear powering should be less harmful to the environment.

Answer 2

Nuclear has almost no impact on global warming, but disposable of nuclear waste still hasn't progressed very far. However, wind, solar, and water are so limited (compared to the world's energy demands) that nuclear is the only known solution. The US gets about 10% of our energy from nuclear. France is 80%. The reason we're behind is that 25 years ago environmentalists insisted we not open more nuclear power plants. In other words, environmentalists are partially to blame for the US greenhouse gas output.

Right now, we have only two feasible options .. pump CO2 into the environment or bury nuclear waste.

Answer 3

We have been using nuclear power for decades. Both coal and nuclear plants have pro and cons but are both dangerous and not a long term option, especially nuclear. If this is a topic you are studying then start your research with wind, water and solar energy production. They make a lot more sense with little impact on populous and environment.

Answer 4

Nuclear power plants are a much better solution. There's way less emissions in the process and it's not that harmful as long as the waste is disposed of properly. The only problem is that they are expensive to build and operate, so less companies want to open a plant.

Answer 5

Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels.
Fuel costs for nuclear plants are a minor proportion of total generating costs, though capital costs are greater than those for coal-fired plants.
In assessing the cost competitiveness of nuclear energy, decommissioning and waste disposal costs are taken into account.

Answer 6

The future lies in nuclear fusion instead of current fission technology. Clean coal technology is also available already and the best way forward is to invest in a portfolio of power generation technologies including renewables.

Above all though we can and must become more efficient in the way we use power.

Answer 7

If they are properly constructed and maintained there can be no better power supply than nuclear power plants.