Thermal has an even greater impact on the environment. Fossil fuel burning results in increasing levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere contributing to ozone depletion, acid rain and the greenhouse effect. The economic effects of this climate change are potentially astronomical. Increased flooding is a prospect no Winnipeger looks forward to. Plutonium is also an important element in the production of nuclear weapons.
Radiation poisoning is fatal to humans.
The damage caused by an accident at a nuclear plant can cause billions of dollars in damage, such as the damage done to the Ukraine by the Chernobyl accident. Chernobyl also killed many people, and effected the health of many more. A study completed by the Rocky Mountain Institute concluded that every dollar spent building nuclear power plants could be seven times more effective in diminishing the greenhouse effect if it were invested in improving energy efficiency. The Ontario government concluded that if their provincial electric power utility gave away new energy efficient appliances to every home in the province, the energy savings would make it unnecessary to build another nuclear power plant. It would cost hydro 7 billion dollars for the appliances, but a new reactor could cost 17 billion dollars.