How does nuclear energy conserve resources?
The largest resource used in nuclear fission energy production is uranium ore, one of the most abundant metals in the world. At current energy consumption levels, it is estimated that uranium resources can meet nuclear energy demands for the next 100 years. Most of the uranium used can be recycled with a 97% efficiency rate, reducing the need to mine and produce new uranium fuel. Research is constantly seeking improvements in reactor designs, new methods of recycling used uranium fuel rods, and new sources of radioactive energy resources.
Nuclear energy conserves traditional fossil fuel resources, as it produces energy through the fission of uranium atoms. Fossil fuels are used in limited amounts in the production of uranium fuel and the construction of nuclear facilities, but the day to day generation of electricity through nuclear fission does not require the use of fossil fuel resources. Furthermore, the water used as a coolant within nuclear facilities is recycled through a closed system, circulating through the different nuclear reactors within a plant, thus conserving water usage.