Nuclear Energy Safeguards the Future of the Environment

Global warming and the pandemic's impact on the world economy are increasing day by day. In its latest report, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) found that nuclear energy produces less carbon dioxide emissions throughout its lifecycle than all other electricity sources. UNECE experts, who have verified with data that nuclear is the "lowest-carbon energy source" in combating climate change, stressed that reaching the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals will be possible with nuclear energy.

"Reliable energy is needed"

Dr. Can Turgut, a Reactor Design Engineer working on the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) Project, the world's largest fusion project being conducted in France, noted that when the pandemic's impact is added to the growing energy demand worldwide, an unprecedented increase in energy prices has been observed in recent years. Turgut stated that developed countries struggling to find resources and facing the prospect of major energy problems in the near future are seeking solutions to this issue. However, according to Turgut, another problem of global concern alongside energy demand is global warming and environmental pollution. Noting that many developed countries are preparing to take steps towards zero carbon emissions over a 10-year period, Turgut said, "Considering all these factors, the need for a clean, sustainable, independent, reliable, efficient and clean energy source has become indisputable. Following numerous sessions and workshops held on this subject in various parts of the world, it has become quite clear that environmentally friendly and sustainable energy cannot be obtained solely from renewable energy sources. The harmful effects of thermal power plants on the environment and fuel costs, the inability of renewable energy sources to meet demand, and fluctuations in energy prices have shaped the conditions for nuclear energy use. Nuclear energy is seen as a guarantee of a clean and liveable future," he said.

"Turkey has taken an important step"

Turgut drew attention to Turkey's efforts to implement its energy strategy, saying, "With the implementation of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Project, the aim is to prevent fluctuations in energy prices, reduce dependence on energy imports, take steps towards nuclear technology and techniques, and reduce carbon emissions. The determined roadmap is a very important step for Turkey to reach the level of developed countries," he said. Noting that Turkey, which meets much of its energy needs from coal, oil and gas-derived fossil fuel reserves, will soon need new energy sources as these resources run out, Turgut stressed that the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Mersin is of particular importance for Turkey, which has ratified the Paris Agreement and opened a new chapter in combating the climate crisis.

Nuclear energy solutions on the agenda

Gülçin Sarıcı Türkmen, Research Assistant at Ohio State University in the United States, also underlined that it is impossible for developed countries to meet their zero carbon targets announced for the 2030-2050 period with the energy policies they are currently following. According to Türkmen, investing in nuclear energy appears to be the best option for meeting energy needs with clean technologies and stimulating the economy at this time. Noting that a transformation related to nuclear energy is taking place in many European countries from France to the United Kingdom, Türkmen said, "Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, a country that obtains approximately 70 percent of its energy from nuclear power, brought this discussion back to the agenda at the Climate Change Summit by explaining that they cannot achieve their zero carbon target by 2050 using only renewable energy sources. Additionally, he announced that they will invest 30 billion euros in the development of innovative technologies and industries, including the construction of small nuclear reactors, electric vehicle production and low-emission aircraft production. In the European Union, where discussions on nuclear energy are still highly politicised, they are finally beginning to look at the issue rationally," he said.

"Provides economical, sustainable and clean energy"

Türkmen, who said that global warming and climate change are the most serious problem of our time, stated, "Calculations show that we will not be able to reach climate goals with renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, promises a solution to this by providing economical, sustainable, continuous and clean energy. For this reason, nuclear energy cannot be ignored," he said.   Source