Adopt-a-Topic: #1: Day, P. (2024, January 23). Growing support for nuclear will drive industry forward in 2025 Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/growing-support-nuclear-will-drive-industry-forward-2024-2024-01-23 

The article “Growing Support for Nuclear Will Drive the Industry Forward in 2024” explores how nuclear energy is becoming more and more popular around the world as a way to combat climate change and supply the world’s expanding energy needs. It draws attention to the initiatives taken by nations like China, Russia, and the US to increase their nuclear power output and create cutting-edge reactor technologies. The difficulties the nuclear industry faces are also discussed in the article, including worries about public perception, waste management, and safety. It highlights how nuclear energy may help lower greenhouse gas emissions and diversify energy sources, but it also recognizes that safety and waste management concerns must be addressed.

This article examines nuclear energy’s role in environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change, which makes it relevant to environmental science. As a low-carbon energy source, nuclear power has the ability to lower greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the switch from fossil fuels. The understanding of nuclear energy’s potential to support decarbonization initiatives and meet the world’s growing energy demand is reflected in the growing support for the technology. Nonetheless, it’s critical to handle the difficulties that come with nuclear energy and approach it cautiously. Safety is still the top priority, as demonstrated by the lessons learned from previous disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. For nuclear power plants to operate safely, minimizing potential risks requires strict regulations, strong risk assessment methods, and appropriate safety protocols. Another crucial issue that must be addressed is waste management, with an emphasis on creating workable plans for the long-term disposal of radioactive waste. Furthermore, public opinion and involvement are essential for establishing credibility and promoting well-informed debates regarding the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. Scientists and policymakers can make educated decisions about the place of nuclear power in the shift to a low-carbon, sustainable future by taking these environmental and social factors into account.

Buccio provides a thorough analysis of how shutting down Diablo Canyon may affect the environment. In addition to the difficult subject of site rehabilitation and decommissioning, it covers the effects on regional ecosystems. The essay emphasizes strongly the environmental problems and difficulties associated with shutting down a nuclear reactor. Additionally, it clarifies any potential long-term effects on adjacent species.

Regarding Environmental Science & Personal Reaction: Given the complexity of the task, decommissioning nuclear sites calls for a solid grasp of environmental science. The elaborate planning and protracted work necessary to return such areas to a secure state fascinated me. I find it fascinating how dealing with the consequences of nuclear power involves the confluence of technology, policy, and environmental science.

Damianos talks about important developments in fusion research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that have the potential to fundamentally change nuclear power. Environmental difficulties are brought on by nuclear energy, however unlike fission, fusion offers a plentiful energy source with little radioactive waste, potentially easing some of those issues. Damianos goes into great length on the technological challenges as well as the anticipated timeline for commercializing fusion power.

Fusion research is connected to environmental science and stirs up strong emotions in people since it lies at the nexus of the two scientific disciplines. It presents the tantalizing possibility of a clean, abundant energy source, despite the fact that it is still a very long way from being an economically viable energy source. Although I’m aware that there are still many challenges to be solved before fusion power can be employed as a realistic power source, I believe it has a lot of potential.

The difficulties California faces in controlling the radioactive waste from its shut-down reactors are highlighted in Lauries piece. The lack of a federal repository for spent nuclear fuel, which is a popular topic of discussion, has caused controversy and disagreements about disposal and management choices. The article also discusses the effects of these problems on politics and society.

This article gives a brief introduction of nuclear waste management, a significant environmental concern, in relation to environmental science and individual reaction. Though technology has advanced, I’m still concerned that there isn’t a perfect way to dispose of nuclear waste. It is a sobering reminder of the long-term effects of our energy choices and the necessity for sensible waste management regulations.

Lovins piece addresses the current discussion regarding nuclear energy’s place in California’s energy future in light of Diablo Canyon’s upcoming closure. It contrasts the opinions of those who favor a focus on renewable energy sources with those of people who support advanced reactors as a carbon-free energy source. In order to provide a balanced overview of a challenging topic, the article considers both sides of each issue.

Environmental science includes extensive research on energy sustainability. It emphasizes how difficult it is to design energy policy choices that take carbon emissions, safety, and dependability into account. This demonstrates how challenging it is to create a sustainable energy future. I find it intriguing to see these talks progress. It makes me wonder what the energy future may hold and how we can balance the demand for steady power with the requirement to reduce our carbon footprint.

Blood, Michael  R. “Regulators Nix Proposal to Delay Closure of California’s Last Nuclear Plant.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023, www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-25/regulators-nix-proposal-on-californias-last-nuclear-plant. 

The last nuclear power plant left in service in California, Diablo Canyon, will be shut down, according to Pacific Gas & Electric, as discussed in Michael;s essay. Both environmental and economic considerations have an impact on this choice. The upcoming closure raises concerns about the state’s nuclear energy policy going forward and its effects on the local economy and nature. The closure signifies a shift in the energy landscape in California and could portend the demise of nuclear power in the Golden State. Smith’s thesis evaluates the economic implications of this decision, including potential job losses and consequences on nearby areas.

The article’s description of the shutdown of the nuclear plant and its effects has a direct effect on that field of study. It draws attention to the negative consequences of nuclear power on the environment and its long-term viability. While this action may be able to lessen nuclear waste and disaster risk, if renewable energy sources are not improved, it may also result in a greater reliance on fossil fuels. This raises questions in my mind regarding California’s future energy mix and the significance of renewables to the state’s energy needs. It also stresses how crucial proper planning is for reducing negative effects on the environment.

Kotsonis, S., & Chakrabarti, M. (2023, June 21). Is it time to take Putin’s nuclear threats more seriously? WBUR. Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/06/21/is-it-time-to-take-putins-nuclear-threats-more-seriously

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly warned of its potential use of nuclear weapons. While many observers view these threats as bluffs, some experts take the warnings seriously. Retired Brigadier General Kevin Ryan argues that if Ukraine’s counteroffensive leads to significant territorial gains, the likelihood of Russia resorting to a nuclear strike increases. Ryan believes that President Putin will use nuclear weapons to avoid being seen as weak in the war. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines views the odds of this scenario as very low. However, Ryan’s analysis points to Russia’s reliance on nuclear weapons as a key deterrent after its conventional military strength weakened post-Cold War. The situation presents a challenging dilemma for both Ukraine and NATO, given the potential consequences of Russia’s actions and the complexities of international response under Article 5.

This issue reminds me of the movie War Games where, in the end, they figure there is no winner in a nuclear war because the warheads destroy everything. Nuclear warfare is something that people don’t think about on a daily basis, but the reality is that there are many moments where a nuclear missile could be launched and start a nuclear world war. This is a scary thought for humanity where, in a moment, everything one knows could be destroyed. Not only will nuclear bombs destroy whatever they hit in a big radius, but it will leave nuclear fallout in an even bigger radius. When things are blown up, they can be rebuilt. However, nuclear fallout will kill environments and humans and will stay in the area for a long time. A lot of pop culture reflects this dystopia of post-nuclear-war, such as the game Fallout 4.

van Brugen, I., Feingold, J., Harris, A., Mutua, A., Tobin, J., & Perry, D. (2023, July 25). ‘Hot Shutdown’ at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Sparks Radiation Fears. Newsweek. Retrieved July 26, 2023, from https://www.newsweek.com/hot-shutdown-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-ukraine-radiation-fears-1815091

After invading Ukraine in late February, Russia captured Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (ZNPP) in March. They then ordered one of the plant’s six reactors into a hot shutdown state which violates safety protocols. This has caused concerns for a potential nuclear catastrophe. The other five reactors have been shut down into a cold shutdown state where the coolant is lowered to pump water at an atmospheric pressure. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of shelling the facility. Kotin, the president of Energoatom, the company owning the reactor, says that violating the safety protocols for the reactor is a “criminal” decision and “violates Ukrainian and international law.” Although the requirements of the State Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority of Ukraine (DIARU) require that all the reactors of the plant be put into a cold shutdown, the Moscow-installed administration of the plant says that keeping one of the reactors in hot shutdown mode can produce steam, ensuring nuclear safety.

This article highlights how carefully nuclear plants have to be treated in order to ensure safety. In times of war, this can be dangerous because the original people who were running the plant are not running it anymore, so the new administration could potentially cause a safety hazard. Like people know from the Chernobyl accident, nuclear power plants can be very dangerous if not operated correctly and there will most likely be an accident in a plant’s life. Although nuclear power plant accidents are declining, they can still happen and are dangerous. I hope nothing detrimental happens at the ZNPP because not only will it affect people, it will also affect the environment by leaking radioactive chemicals. This can destroy ecosystems that may not recover.

Dress, B. (2023, July 24). Second US nuclear submarine arrives in South Korea amid tensions with North. The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2023, from https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4115764-second-us-nuclear-submarine-arrives-in-south-korea-amid-tensions-with-north/

The US docked the USS Annapolis, a second submarine on an island in South Korea after provoking North Korea with the first one, USS Kentucky, which was the first nuclear submarine to visit South Korea since 1981. North Korea has been building up nuclear tension for years, so the presidents of the two countries agreed on the two submarine arrivals. North Korea responded to these docks with “a stern warning of the possibility of a nuclear response from Pyongyang” and two missile tests.

I am interested in nuclear submarines because they can stay underwater for three months without needing to surface. The nuclear reactor inside allows the submarine to stay powered for that long. I wonder how they dock at an island in South Korea and how North Korea can know that they docked a submarine there. This article relates to environmental science because submarines can have negative effects on the ecosystems around it. For example, submarines generate noise which can affect sensitive species in the water. Submarines also have the potential to pollute the water with radioactive materials if there is a leak or something of the like.

World Nuclear News. (2023, July 20). Russian designs for underwater nuclear power plant in Arctic : New Nuclear. World Nuclear News. Retrieved July 23, 2023, from https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Russian-designs-for-underwater-nuclear-power-plant

The Malakhit Marine Engineering Bureau in St Petersburg, Russia is working on an autonomous, underwater nuclear power plant in the Arctic that will be able to dive up to 400 meters and have a capacity of 20 MWe. Submerging the power plant will “reduce the risk of collision with icebergs” and have increased seismic resistance while providing energy to remote territories where traditional power plants cannot be located.

When one thinks of nuclear power plants, they usually think of a cone-skewed cylinder in the middle of nowhere. This underwater nuclear power plant is a smart way of putting plants in places that may otherwise be impossible to place one, such as the arctic. It can provide power to remote areas near water and are easier to maintain since they are mostly autonomous and only need maintenance every three months. I am very interested in how more of these power plants will be used in the future.