Energy and the environment

Fossil fuels will eventually run out in the next 100 years, meaning we will eventually have to switch to renewable energy resources.
A nuclear power plant can generate much more energy than a fossil fuel power station. The resources for it are expected to last for thousands of years despite being non-renewable.
The burning of fossil fuels causes carbon dioxide to be released into the environment, contributing to global warming.
- Nuclear power produces no pollutant gases. However, it does produce radioactive nuclear waste, which needs to be stored safely.
- Coal will also release sulfur dioxide when burned, which is a cause of acid rain.
- Bio-fuels are carbon neutral, as the carbon dioxide they release is the same as that taken in before their use as a fuel.

Power stations can have a negative effect on the areas where they are constructed.
- Wind turbines can be loud and potentially harmful to birds.
- Hydro-electric dams will cause a new lake to form behind them. This can destroy natural habitats and force people to move homes.
Renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, are entirely weather-dependent. Many countries have systems that switch from these resources to fossil fuels when renewable energy isn’t available.

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