An Interpersonal Journal
In this article I seek to compare and contrast two methods of energy generation: nuclear fission and coal combustion. I look at several factors, such as emissions released during extraction, preparation and energy generation and compare the relative merits and demerits of each. Additionally I explore the final stages for both methods once the energy has been generated and the useful life of the chosen fuel is over.
Across the board nuclear power seems to be a cleaner and overall safer form of energy production. While there have been two high profile cases of nuclear facilities failing and causing radiation to leak out into the environment, this is an exceedingly rare abnormality. Compare this to the burning of fossil fuel which causes some amount of harm constantly while also producing far more waste materials.
We live in the midst of an energy revolution: year after year staggering advances are being made in the world of renewable energy technologies that enable a gradual divorce from fossil fuels. Countries continue to invest in, as well as implement, these technologies in the form of vast solar arrays, fields of wind turbines, refinements to hydroelectric plants and more. Yet despite the leaps of progress that are made we still aren’t ready for a “fully green” world. The technology simply isn’t there yet.
