What is the contribution of nuclear energy to mitigating the problems associated with greenhouse gas emissions and consequent global warming?
A2. Short Answer: Nuclear power plants emit virtually no greenhouse gases. The complete nuclear power chain, from uranium mining to waste disposal, including reactor and facilities construction, emits only 2-6 grams of carbon per kilowatt-hour. Therefore, the operation of the worlds nuclear power reactors avoids the release of roughly 600 million tones of carbon, should the same energy have be generated by a proportionate mix of non-nuclear sources. Read more… Explanation: Studies have shown that, when the whole chain from mining to waste disposal is considered, nuclear power produces only 2-6 grams of carbon pre kilowatt-hour. This is about the same as wind or solar power, and less than 1% of the amount produced by coal, oil or even natural gas. The 600 million tones of carbon avoided by the operation of the worlds 443 nuclear power reactors is approximately twice the total amount to be avoided by the Kyoto Protocol in 2010. Both nuclear and other renewable sources of energy, such as
