Sustainability Development Goals

Lamont Lee

Co-Presenters: Harrison Brown

College: Hennings College of Science Mathematics and Technology

Major: BS.BIO/CELL/MOLEC

Faculty Research Mentor: Coykendall, Sarah  

Abstract:

The Impact of Nuclear Energy on our Environment and BiodiversityLamont Lee1, Harrison W. Brown1, Sarah Coykendall11. Kean University: Human Rights InstituteThe aim of this project is to provide insight into nuclear energy, exploring how society benefits from a renewable energy source with a low carbon footprint, and its effects on biodiversity. This project will have a methodology of performing a literature review by accessing reliable databases, publications, and statistics to evaluate the underlying claim. The significance of this project is to show how nuclear energy when compared to fossil fuel is an improvement for a long-term renewable energy source, for both our society and the environment. Accessing data from sources including “The World Nuclear Association” and “U.S. Energy Information Administration”. Our major findings indicate that nuclear power serves as a means to protect aquatic biodiversity while also meeting energy demands; furthermore, this type of energy source requires an inconsequential amount of land to produce a large amount of energy. Another finding displays that 24 million kWh can be generated through 1kg of Uranium-235, which shows an insurmountable difference when comparing 8 kWh generated from 1kg of coal. The research analysis support that the evidence of long-term effects of nuclear energy will positively impact our environmental biodiversity through possessing a net-carbon footprint and less space needed for facilities without harming our ecosystem.