Nuclear Energy

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Recommended: What are the positive effects of nuclear power

Today’s world faces many problems. Hunger, war and pollution are some common problems that come to mind. Nuclear energy however, should not have to be one of these problems. Nuclear energy has been around since the early 1950s. Over the years, many have debated whether nuclear-produced energy is any better than other energies such as coal-produced energy. While both sides have their pros and cons, nuclear energy, is the overall worst out of the all the energies being produced.
Nuclear energy is not as beneficial to the environment as one may think. Nuclear energy does not burn anything in order to create energy. However, the problem is not in that aspect, but rather the fact that we do not have a way to get rid of the nuclear waste. According to Amanda Beckrich, there is currently no full proof solution to the long-term storage of the radioactive products used in the development of nuclear energy. Materials used in the nuclear process include isotopes of uranium, plutonium, iodine and strontium (Beckrich 10). All of these materials are radioactive and dangerous if exposed to society. When radioactive products are spilled or exposed into society, the consequences can be detrimental. People who are exposed to high doses of radiation will most likely face serious consequences. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that people will likely face a number of different health problems varying on the amount they have been exposed to. Some possible major health effects include cancer, internal bleeding, damage to the central nervous system and death (“Radiation Protection: Health Effects”). With these outcomes being possible, there is not a justifiable answer to this problem.
However the opposition may offer the counte...

... middle of paper ...

...re. The objective should be to slowly phase out coal, natural gas and nuclear energy for energy that does not use up all the earth’s resources. Whether that’s wind energy, solar energy or hydro energy is not something I can answer.

Works Cited

Beckrich, Amanda. "The pros and cons of nuclear energy." The Science Teacher 80.3 (2013): 10.
Academic OneFile. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
Hammond, Allen. "Fission: The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power." Science. Vol. 178. N.p.:
American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1972. 147-49. Print.
“Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What?" CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 25
Mar. 2014.
"Radiation Protection: Health Effects." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 07 Aug. 2012.
Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
“The Economics of Nuclear Power." Nuclear Power Economics. N.p., 01 Feb. 2014. Web. 25
Mar. 2014.

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