Thesis: Nuclear power is good. //will change
Non renewable energy sources such as coal produce many harmful byproducts. Coal powered energy pollutes the atmosphere with many harmful byproducts. Releasing harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide all negatively impact health. These byproducts from burning coal are linked to many diseases such as respiratory diseases, cancer, heart disease, and many more. Furthermore, “air pollution from coal plants is responsible for up to 200,000 premature deaths per year and $50 billion in annual healthcare costs”. Also, the pollutants that burning coal produces speeds up climate change. “Coal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming”
Climate change results from increased c02 emissions from coal fired electricity. Climate change is no myth that it is happening today and will continue to be increasingly more of a problem later on if not dealt with properly. “The majority of climate scientists -- 97% -- agree that climate change is real and human
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Power is reduced during overcast days and is unable to produce power at night. The only way solar is able to output the maximum power its was designed for is if the day is completely clear. Additionally, both wind and solar are far more expensive in the long run with the lower amount of power they output compared to the high construction cost. Solar costs between 150-300 $/MWh, Wind both onshore and offshore cost 35-95 $/MWh. While nuclear power is far cheaper only costing 21-35 $/MWh (Smith). Additionally, nuclear reactors are not geographically constrained unlike solar and wind which need specific locations in order to operate at their maximum efficiency. Modern reactors need a constant supply of fresh water to keep them cool. Anywhere there is a large supply of water opens up the ability for someone to put a nuclear reactor in that