Environmental Benefits of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is a clean form of energy, particularly in comparison to thermal sources such as coal and oil where fossil fuel is burned to create steam and energy. Because there is no combustion during the nuclear reaction, nuclear energy does not emit acid gases or carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is considered the major contributor to the "greenhouse" effect causing climate change, and acid gases cause acid rain and smog.

Consider this:

About 25% of the global carbon dioxide release to the atmosphere is caused by electricity generation using fossil fuels
Each year the emission of 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is avoided owing to Canada's existing nuclear power plants
During the last 30 years the nuclear generating stations in Ontario avoided the release of a billion of tonnes of carbon dioxide, 32 million tonnes of acid gas, and 80 million tonnes of ash to the atmosphere that would have occured if their electricity had been produced by fossil-fuelled plants
The high energy density of nuclear fuel is an environmental advantage. The energy from one CANDU fuel bundle would require 400 tonnes of coal or 270,000 litres of oil or 300 million litres of natural gas
In contrast to the large areas required by solar or wind generating systems, the nuclear generating station sits on 2-3 sq. km of land