does nuclear energy contribute to global warming?

[hunter]

12. I wrote a few replies to the Wasserman post, but I kept deleting them because they were uncivil.

Phrases like "innumerate fuckstick" kept popping into my head.

Anyone who is not innumerate can do the rough math, maybe starting with this:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_energy_budget

Hint: What is the surface area of the earth in square meters?

Warming caused by nuclear power plants is very localized, and negligible on a global scale. It's also comparable to other power sources, including solar panels.

Warming caused by greenhouse gasses occurs across the entire surface of the earth.

Wasserman's other arguments are the usual anti-nuclear cult gibberish.

The "Carbon 14" argument was especially amusing:

All nuclear reactors emit Carbon 14, a radioactive isotope, invalidating the industry’s claim that reactors are “carbon free.”



This is a man who has no sense of scale. In his world being bitten by a gnat is just as bad as being eaten by a tiger.

I think there are few good reasons to oppose nuclear power, mostly having to do with one's faith in the ability of governments and corporations to safely manage it.

Corrupt or incompetent government officials, and shortsighted penny-wise-pound-foolish scientifically illiterate MBA types in industry, are capable of making a mess of nuclear power.

Even so, it's the fossil fuels that are killing us.