Energy and Environment

Energy and Environment

Introduction

Today various sources of energy have been invented by human beings. However, all of these energy sources affect the environment and none is completely clean energy sources. The production of energy we need affects our environment in several ways. Some of these energy sources impact more on our environment than others. During any energy transformation, energy is lost to the environment mainly in the form of heat, for example heat from the car or computer while it is being in use (www.energy4me.org).

There are many energy resources that are impacting negatively on our environment, among them the major ones are nuclear power plants, fossil fuels, hydropower plants, wind energy creation and others. All of these are impacting in different or similar ways like polluting environment, polluting water and causing its habitants life endanger, biological effects, endangering birds and bats life, acid rain, and climate change. Hence, the energy creation is one of the most essential thing for us human beings, but the processes of fulfilling this need are causing us great deal in the form of hazardous environmental impacts.

Discussion

Hydropower Plants

The hydropower plants are very much in use today for the creation of energy, which doesn't air or water pollution but it does impact heavily on our environment. Because it can harm fish populations, changes the flow and temperature of water which may disturb the animals and plant, and forces the relocation of animals and people who live nearby the dam. Some fishes cannot swim upstream to spawn like salmon fish. Hydropower plants can also cause low dissolved level of oxygen in the water and that can hurt the river habitual. The reservoirs of hydropower plant can go ahead for the development of a dangerous greenhouse gas i.e. methane (www.energy4me.org).

Nuclear Power Plants/Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power plants produce byproducts which can impact our environment, such as nuclear waste and spent fuels. Most of these nuclear wastes are of low level and there are certain measures taken into account for preventing these wastes to harm environment. But even then some spent fuels are extremely radioactive and required to store in special design facilities. Not only this fuel waste, but much of the equipment in the nuclear power plants becomes contaminated with emission and will result in radioactive waste after the closure of plant. Further, these wastes will remain radioactive for many years and it may not allow to re-utilize the contaminate land (www.energy4me.org).

Nuclear power plants also affect fishes and other aquatic animals, as they use large quantity of water for stream production and cooling. Similarly, the water used in the nuclear power plant systems may consist the buildup salts and heavy metals. So, when the water is discharged from these plants, the consisting pollutants can affect water quality and aquatic life in a negative way (www.energy4me.org).

Nuclear radiation also affects cells by interacting with it and striking a critical part of cell. Chromosomes are considered to be the most vital part of the cell as they store ...