Argumentative Essay On Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fusion: the Premier Solution to Climate Change The search for a viable source of renewable energy is a centuries old affair. For the entirety of that time, the research has been met with opposition from both a political and economic standpoint. To present renowned scientific evidence of its existence and impact was to invite accusations of fabrication. To simply state, as former United States Vice President Al Gore famously put it, “[the] inconvenient truth” that a culture of consumption will have dire consequences for humanity’s future was heresy. For years, those in industry lobbies, and politicians in corporate pockets, have shot down legislative attempts at utilizing more conservative energy options. However, the urgent warnings

(“Radiation”) Since the field of nuclear fusion is constantly evolving, stringent safety regulations are smoothly expanded upon and have the added bonus of increasing efficiency and accessibility. Alongside this, nuclear fusion is being developed with a heavy focus on safety, purity, and efficiency. (“Fusion”) This effort is readily exhibited when compared to nuclear fission. Nuclear fission primarily employs fissile isotopes of radioactive elements. (“Sustainable” 3100) These isotopes are far more open to instability and proliferation. . (“Sustainable” 3100) Another concern that has been repeatedly underscored is iodine-131 (131I). “The fission of uranium produces large amounts of 131I that may be released into the atmosphere in the course of a nuclear accident (2.878% yield of 235U)… [and] can enter the body via inhalation or ingestion of contaminated food or milk.” (“Managing” 4159) Although 131I only has a half-life of eight days, 131I’s ionizing radiation has repeatedly been found to quickly

Deuterium is inexpensively extracted from water, and tritium is produced during the reaction itself via lithium. Deuterium and lithium are placed within a containment field created by two large electromagnets, with water below, and the two are heated until they become highly ionized gas, or plasma. From there, the heat is maintained until the two sets of plasma come together, or fuse, and release a burst of energy that surpasses all other methods, including nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion is a safer method of nuclear power, as the isotopes are proven stable both alone and together, are not exceedingly radioactive, and do not pose any known threat of pollution. Alongside this, nuclear fusion is an “intrinsically safe [fusion] reactor operation” as a combination of the “sensitive temperature-pressure balance requirement for reactions to occur” and the minimal amount of material necessary to produce energy ensures that “even in the event of a loss of coolant or power-failure, there is no danger of runaway processes caused by uncontrolled chain-reactions, avoiding the possibility of major accidents.” (“Fusion” 10) Nuclear fusion can be considered a method of harnessing renewable solar energy, and easily complements not only the existing solar initiatives, but those of wind and hydroelectric power as well. (“Fusion”) Currently, nuclear