Nuclear reactors help generate electricity and not only that, but they also emit lesser greenhouse gases. Despite major nuclear accidents of the past, such as those of Fukushima, Japan in 2011 and Chernobyl in 1986, innovations are being considered in the field of nuclear reactors rather than completely abandoning or finishing them.
Although the dangers of radiation from these plants certain, they contributed to 10% of electricity generation globally just in 2019 alone. On the other hand, multiple nuclear reactors across Northern America and Europe have been shut down between 2018 and 2019. Some of the world's oldest reactors, now non-functioning, also belong to these regions. Two European countries, namely Germany and Italy, have decided to completely get rid of nuclear reactors. Germany plans to get rid of all nuclear reactors by 2022, whereas Italy has already gotten rid of all its nuclear reactors.
Where nuclear reactors are not being shut down, one attempt to reinvent nuclear reactors is to make them smaller in size, so they are easier to manage as compared to the huge ones. Environmental impact is also being taken into perspective and amendments are being made to use nuclear waste and weaponry waste as fuel for these nuclear reactors. The infographic below shall further explain to you how the nuclear reactor scenario is changing across the globe.
Infographic by: VisualCapitalist
