Cliff Joen A.

Carurucan
AW 100 B470

BATTLE CLIMATE CHANGE WITH NUCLEAR POWER:

One of the most serious problem that the earth is facing right now. But how does this affect our
environment? Environmental changes brought on by global warming may have a negative influence
on human health. Additionally, it can result in an increase in sea level, which poses a threat to
biodiversity, a change in precipitation patterns, an increase in the likelihood of droughts and floods,
and the loss of coastal land. [1] Climate change cannot be taken lightly and we must act in order to
prevent disastrous event in our community. But what can we do in order to avoid the climate change?
Experts have determined that without a larger role for nuclear, mitigating climate change would
be more difficult to achieve the deep decarbonization needed to reduce the average increase in
world temperatures to below 1.5°C. Nuclear power may immediately replace fossil fuel plants,
avoiding the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy, because it is dependable and deployable
on a wide scale. Nowadays, using nuclear energy prevents emissions roughly equal to removing
one-third of all automobiles from the road. [2] Electricity is used more and more frequently in
modern civilization as the electrification of transportation, home heating, and industrial
processes progresses. Even though electricity is clean when used, approximately 40% of all
energy-related carbon emissions are currently produced during its production. Any climate
change strategy must focus on decarbonizing the electrical supply while also providing a
growing global population with reliable and affordable electricity. That is also why the
Philippines are considering to reopen the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. The Ferdinand Marcos
administration decided to construct a nuclear reactor with two 600 MWe units in response to the
1973 oil crisis. The contract was already for a single 621 MWe Westinghouse unit at Napot Point
in Bataan when it was signed in February 1976. At a cost of $1.9 billion, construction work
started in July 1976 and was finished in 1984. The plant was never fueled or turned on, though,
due to financial problems and worries about earthquakes. Following the Chernobyl disaster in
April 1986, newly elected President Corazon Aquino made the decision to shut down the plant.
[3] But due to the country faces a multi-faceted challenge on its pandemic response programs,
amidst the imposed lockdowns on economic activities, the Department of Energy (DOE) is
presenting a track to attain an inclusive and equitable economic growth made possible through
the provision of secure, sustainable, and resilient energy strategies. The second comprehensive
energy plan supporting the government's long-term strategy known as Ambisyon Natin 2040 is
the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2020–2040. Like its predecessor (PEP 2018-2040), this revised
plan reiterates the energy industry's objective to map a revolutionary course toward achieving a
sustainable energy future. [4] Nuclear Energy will be a great help for the Philippines to supply
itself enough energy while not having bad effect in the community. A bill to establish the
Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Commission (PNRC), an independent nuclear safety regulator,
was presented to Congress in July 2017. The PNRC would make decisions pertaining to public
health and safety, environmental preservation, and nuclear security and safeguards. Currently,
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is responsible for the promotion and
regulation tasks performed by the PNRI. The fiscal conditions necessary for the bill's passage
were approved in August 2021. [3,4,5] . Positively, many nations now recognize the serious
repercussions of global warming. The Federal Government is required by the US Supreme Court
to investigate controlling CO2 emissions. Around 1,300 protest activities have been planned in
the US under the Step It Up 2007 banner, with participants urging the government to cut
emissions by up to 80% by 2050 in places like Boston and New York. Businesses and
households in Sydney, Australia, turned out their lights to draw attention to the serious problem
of global warming. Similar to individuals, businesses are realizing the importance of going
green. Over the course of the following year, the multinational beverage and snack corporation
PepsiCo wants to buy 1 billion kilowatt hours of renewable energy. [1] In conclusion I believe
that the Nuclear Power will be vital for fighting the climate change and we should switch to
renewable and clean energy. Furthermore opening the Nuclear Power Plant in Bataan will be a
good idea for me. Not only it will supply us enough energy that will also make the electricity
cheaper, but it will also help world to reduce the emission in the ozone layer that causes climate
change.
REFERENCE LIST:

[1] P. Kasotia, “The health effects of global warming: Developing countries are the most
vulnerable,” United Nations, 2007. [Online]. Available:
https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/health-effects-global-warming-developing-
countries-are-most-vulnerable#:~: text=Global%20warming%20can%20result%20in.
[Accessed: 18-Apr-2023].

[2] “Nuclear energy and climate change,” World Nuclear Association. [Online]. Available:
https://world-nuclear.org/nuclear-essentials/how-can-nuclear-combat-climate-change.aspx.
[Accessed: 18-Apr-2023].

[3] ““Nuclear Power Philippines,” Philippines Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association.
[Online]. Available: https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-
profiles/countries-o-s/philippines.aspx. [Accessed: 18-Apr-2023].

[4] Department of Energy, Philippine Energy Plan: Towards a sustainable and Clean Energy
Future, 2020-2040, 2016, pp. 133–145.

[5] The President of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 164 (February 2022)