Why Not Nuclear Power?

Hypothesis: Nuclear energy can be used in a safe, environmentally friendly way to help provide energy to the world until other alternatives are found.

 

Introduction:

        Currently nuclear power provides 17% of the overall power to the world. At present there are 441 fully operational nuclear power plants producing power for millions of people around the world. Another 30 reactors are under construction as we speak. Nuclear energy has been approached cautiously by many in recent years since the accidents that occurred at Three Mile Island in the United States, as well as the even more catastrophic event at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986. The accident at Three Mile Island was kept contained by safety crews, but the incident at Chernobyl was not contained, and radio active material caused serious damage to the local populace and natural area. Yet over the past 20 years huge advancements have been made in the area of nuclear power. Scientists constantly are making an effort to create a safe, reliable, meltdown proof reactor. Even now we have numerous very safe, efficient and reliable nuclear reactors around the world, that have had better safety records than the majority of coal and gas powered plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          Protest Against Atomic Energy                        Conventional Coal Power Plant                           South Texas Nuclear Power Plant

 

         The advantages nuclear energy have over many other forms of power production are astounding. A tiny amount of uranium (the fuel used in nuclear reactors) can generate a huge amount of power compared to other forms of fuel. For example: a half kilogram of uranium contains approximately the same amount of energy as three million liters of gasoline. This massive amount of energy contained in such a small piece of material is not only a large advantage when transporting fuel, but also for mining. Fossil fuels are slowly dwindling away, and a half kilogram of uranium could save a huge amount of fossil fuels that would be burnt up to power our towns and cities. Against the belief of many, a coal powered energy station releases more radioactive material into the atmosphere than a properly functioning nuclear energy station. Not only this, but coal and fossil fuel energy stations release tons of ash and other harmful substances than nuclear reactors. This damages the ozone layer, and causes sulfurs to enter the clouds to pour acid rain on many areas of the world. Mining of uranium will cause less damage to the environment, and it is also more evenly distributed throughout the world, giving it a more stable market on the global scale. Although many environmentalists still do not agree with nuclear energy, saying that the risks outweigh the benefits, many heads are turning towards the new, and safer plants. Times are changing, and to many the future looks bright for nuclear energy.

Citations:

1. http://thoughtsonglobalwarming.blogspot.com/search/label/Alternative%20Energy

2. http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,grossbild-616552-412837,00.html

3. http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages/BainWest/BAIN5/COALFIRE.HTML

4. http://www.nielsen-wurster.com/nuclear.htm

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