Open AccessNuclear energy in the context of climate change
Author(s) -
Vasile Popa,
Octavian Cocoș
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
central european journal of geography and sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2668-4322
DOI - 10.47246/cejgsd.2021.3.2.2
Subject(s) - climate change , renewable energy , fossil fuel , greenhouse gas , context (archaeology) , natural resource economics , energy development , climate change mitigation , energy supply , environmental impact of the energy industry , environmental science , global warming , energy source , nuclear power , environmental protection , energy (signal processing) , energy policy , waste management , engineering , ecology , geography , economics , biology , statistics , mathematics , archaeology
Human society faces the great challenge of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing increased amounts of energy. Although the share of renewable energy sources has increased in recent years, fossil fuels are still widely used and burning them makes large amounts of carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere. However, renewable energy sources may not be able to supply in time enough energy to replace fossil fuels. Under the circumstances, the question arises as to whether nuclear energy could play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Although there is still confidence and support for nuclear energy, it is unlikely that this energy source will make a greater contribution to combating climate change in the coming decades. This study analyzes the current state of nuclear energy, as well as the development prospects in the context of climate change and risks to the environment and human health.