Nuclear Power

Nowadays, several nations are now faced with the reality of our natural resources coming to an extinction. Now, nations widespread are looking into alternative sources to provide energy. Not only that, concerns in regards to alternative energy sources and how it will affect the environment are also put into question. Due to global warming and excessive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, finding new sources for energy must also coincide with how it will effect the Earth’s lifespan. Despite its disastrous effects, nuclear energy has shown to be well suited for the environment. However, this essay will discuss three significant aspects in regards to nuclear power, the disadvantages and risks, the limited benefits, and alternative sources our planet contains.

Its drawbacks

A majority of experts disapprove with the idea that nuclear energy will preserve the environment as well as prevent green house emissions (1998). Nuclear power is devoid of carbon-free energy. Realistically nuclear energy is impractical, more costly and significantly dangerous in comparison to alternative energies. Nuclear power is not a credible source, proven by ‘accidents’ such as Chernobyl . Nuclear waste is difficult to manage and extremely hazardous, one of the bi-products can be used to produce nuke. Due to the eminent risks and public disapproval on using nuclear energy, energy companies propose to increase in their products energy efficiency and further investigate less hazardous alternative sources.

Issues regarding proper standards kept regarding nuclear power come into question. For example if nuclear power is used to generate electricity, this would create an excess of plutonium. Plutonium can be used to make nuclear weapons, thus allowing the general public easy access to derive plutonium for personal use, affecting the safety of society. Therefore, new laws, city plans and systems must be put into place to dispose plutonium safely. This in will sldo affect the economy and the environment due to the increased concerns of nuclear power. For this reason, non-proliferation treaties of nuclear weapons are more so important. Managing the waste will require new technologies, including notable adaptations for nuclear energy to run safely. Thus, nuclear power should be ruled out as a main source in order to create a peaceful and sustainable environment for future generations to come.

 

Its benefits

Nuclear energy is a reasonably reputable source to prevent green house gas emissions. Only recently has the public become aware of how daily activities have deteriorated the atmosphere, thus creating the greenhouse gases. Various experts have argued the benefits for using nuclear energy, these include a decrease in global warming and less air pollution (by not burning fossil feul). There are three groups which ‘Nuclear’ covers; nuclear explosion, a reactor and nuclear applications for radiation. As the world is rapidly increasing, this increases the demand for energy. Accoriding to John Ritch’s article, nuclear energy can produce more amount of global energy than alternative energy in 2020.

Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986 were the result of nuclear accidents. Many people have suffered from deformity, diseases or have died. Studies show that more people are killed by air pollution each year than nuclear accidents. Furthermore, scientist are modifying plants to have less risk of internal damage, also stating that nuclear waste are not an environment hazard, because it releases a small quantity of waste and has a short-life.

Such cases including the Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl has stigmatized the public opinion on using nuclear power. With experts more confident on this matter, now are left to convince the public to believe that nuclear energy is valuable.

Several world renowned scientists suggest that nuclear is the only practical answer; Stewart Brand, founder of the Whole Earth Catalog, suggested nuclear energy’s problems have been eliminated using new safety technology (in comparison to that used in the ‘Three Mile Islands and Chernoby’ plants). One-third of nuclear reactor’s cost is spent on safety systems and infrastructure. Over 100 nuclear reactors are operational in the US, over 400 places worldwide and no accidents. Technology for safe storage of nuclear wastes has been established, and since the waste contain plutonium, this makes it reusable for future use.

On the other hand, plutonium can be used for producing nuclear weapons. To prevent nuclear proliferation, an appropriate policy and guideline must be established.

Conclusion:

Conclusively, nuclear energy has a great potential as an alternative energy to meet our future energy needs. On the basis that all safety requirements are met in terms of nuclear power plants and waste is management. However, constructing nuclear plants are expensive, and there are various risks if plutonium becomes easily assessable, as they could be used to create nuclear weapon, and the disposal of plutonium is difficult. Alternative sources for energy must be sought out by the governement such as, solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, hydrogen and geothermal energy. But these energies are not yet economically competitive. Therefore, a necessity has arised for sums to be invested in the development of improving alternative sources for they are cheaper, safer and cleaner for the environment.

References:

Billy C. (2006). Nuclear Power Should Not Be Used to Combat Global Warming. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from  www.find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/ovrc/retrieve.do?


Brain M. ND. How Nuclear Power Works. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from
www.science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power5.htm


Harrell E. (2008). Forget Chernobyl, Nuclear Energy is Making a Comeback. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from www.time.com/time/specials/packages/printout/0,29239,1712863_1712864_17


Layton J. ND. Can People Get Poisoned by Indirect Exposure to Polonium-210?. Retrieved May 10, 2010, from www.science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power5.htm


Lovelock J. (2004). Nuclear Power is The Only Green Solution. Retrieved May 12, 2010, from
www.ecolo.org/media/articles/articles.in.english/love-indep


Ritch J. (2001). Nuclear Power is an Environmentally Sound Solution to Preventing Greenhouse Gas Emission. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from www.find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/ovrc/infomark.do?