Nuclear Power Should be a Critical Component in a Strategy to Deal With Concern About Global Warming

2304 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Benefits of relying on nuclear energy essay

Nuclear power should not be dismissed and must be included as a major component of an alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels as it has the greatest potential to be the primary energy source in the future which can work together with other alternative renewable energy sources to combat global warming and to help meet the world’s growing energy demand Nuclear energy, which has historically been depicted as a dangerous and evil energy source, has recently seen renewed attention as an alternative form of energy and has been rehabilitated in the eyes of the public after rising concerns regarding global warming and a rise in the demand of energy (World Nuclear Association 2011). However, due to the March 2011 Fukushima accident, public perception of nuclear safety has been set back. This accident instilled fear and “had a big impact in diminishing the support for nuclear energy” (Wallard, cited in Reaney 2011). This incident reignited the debate over nuclear power in the international community. This essay will consider the arguments from the anti-nuclear energy movement that preceding accidents nuclear prove that nuclear energy always carry risk of a major disaster. This essay will also take into account the argument that nuclear waste is an environmental and health risk, and finally that nuclear energy is not needed since there are better alternative energy sources which are renewables. This essay will then, however, refute these arguments by explaining that nuclear energy has an excellent safety record, and that nuclear waste is a tractable problem, and finally that nuclear energy can coincide with renewable energy sources to combat global warming and meet energy demand. Firstly, Greenpeace (n.d.) asserts that the co... ... middle of paper ... ... Stand Point, viewed 10 November . United States Environmental Protection Agency 2007, Radiation Risks and Realities, viewed 10 November 2011, < http://epa.gov/radiation/docs/402-k-07-006.pdf>. Walker, R 2008, Wind Farms 'Threat to National Security', NowPublic, viewed 10 November 2011, < http://www.nowpublic.com/crime/wind-farms-threat-national-security>. Wehrwein, P 2011, Radiation Risk in Japan: Understanding Radiation Measurements and Putting Them in Perspective, Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical School, viewed 10 November 2011, . World Nuclear Association 2011, The Nuclear Renaissance, viewed 10 November 2011, .

Show More
Related

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nuclear power is a growing source of energy to most of the world for many benefits. People doubt the significant of nuclear power because of one accident. Due to this accident, the world has only seen the flaws in nuclear power and not the many benefits it has to offer. Nuclear power would benefit worldwide if people would let go of the past and look towards the future. Nuclear power is a better alternative energy because of its economic and environmental benefits.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Energy and America’s Global Dominance

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    Beginning in the 1940’s, the global landscape was changing dramatically. With the start of World War II, tensions were rising among the world’s most powerful nations. Russia, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States were all trying to achieve global dominance. During World War II, the smart decision to invest in atomic energy made the United States a global superpower.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: 11 Facts About Nuclear Energy

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many sources of energy today, and the best source of it is constantly being sought after, one source stands out above the rest. Nuclear energy is simple in theory, yet it may be one of the most controversial sources of power. Nuclear energy works using reactors built to split the atoms (nuclear fission) of the fuel to produce heat. This heat evaporates the cooling agent (usually water) into steam which turns turbines to create electricity. Nuclear energy should be allowed, because it produces an abundance of electricity, as well as being a clean source of energy with no harmful emissions. Nuclear energy is the future of clean, environmentally friendly energy.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Fukushima Nuclear Power

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    Energy is undoubtedly one of the most important issues facing the world today. While fossil fuels may produce enough energy at a low cost, it also has severe environmental impacts on the world. Wind energy is a clean source, but is also extremely expensive to maintain. Nuclear energy may be the best energy alternative to coals and oil, with the ability to produce much more energy with relatively low cost, while also being more environmentally sound.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech: We Must Use Alternative Power Sources Instead of Nuclear Energy

    1650 Words  | 4 Pages

    Central Idea: Nuclear energy only contributes a small amount to the world’s electricity yet it has hazards and dangers that far out-way its benefits. There are many other alternative power producing sources that can produce energy more efficiently and more safely than nuclear power plants can.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Technology After the World War II

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Not only is nuclear power friendly to the environment, but it is almost always available, and many countries are starting to use it more. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind en...

    Read More

  • Future of Nuclear Energy in America

    4380 Words  | 9 Pages

    Nuclear Energy has many proponents and much opposition. Many of the groups that oppose nuclear power have legitimate concerns, mainly with the dangers of nuclear material in relation with human health concerns and environmental troubles that are risked by allowing nuclear power plants to increase in number. Yet, many of these opposition groups have made outspoken and radical claims about the “hidden” motives of why nuclear power is promoted and subsidized by our federal government. For example, The Nuclear Information and Resource Service claim that the federal government has the intention of committing genocide against Native Americans because uranium mining is predominantly done on reservations. Another cry out by nuclear power opponents is the constant reliving of the few nuclear mishaps that occurred decades ago, at Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. No doubt, past accidents have happened worldwide and are important reminders to not play around with nuclear material, but technology has improved as well, a fact opponents fail to consider. Many of these organizations feel that other sources should be used to supply America’s energy needs. These types of statements tag many opponents to nuclear energy as misinformed, out of touch with scientific facts, or just closed minded to the whole concept of nuclear power. On the other hand, the proponents of nuclear energy like President Bush see it as cheap, and environmentally friendly. As a result, President Bush passed the Comprehensive Energy Bill in 2005 that would increase production of all types of energy, including nuclear, by giving subsidies and tax breaks to nuclear power producers. Keeping safe America’s capabilities for generating electric power by way of nuclear e...

    Read More

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    698 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main parties who is associated with the debate are governments, experts, and the country people. These people have given out their opinions regarding the effects of nuclear ene...

    Read More

  • Nuclear Energy Essay

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    The world is facing an energy crisis and many are unaware of this growing problem. Sustainability is avoiding depletion of our natural resources in order to provide for future generations, and the only way to ensure that resources are available into the future is to find alternative sources to meet the world’s energy needs. Nuclear energy is just one source of alternative energy being implemented today in an effort to support the needs of the population and mitigate global climate change. Nuclear energy holds the necessary benefits in order to continue being used globally as an alternative solution.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Energy Essay

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear power is the generation of electricity from an atomic reaction. (World Statistics: Nuclear Energy Around the World n.d.) Though it produces zero carbon emissions there has been a decline in support for nuclear power and increased its support for alternative energies in the pursuit for a fossil free energy sector. Factors that have resulted in the reduction of support for nuclear energy include nuclear accidents and waste and the positives of renewable energy which include clean energy, sustainable and reduced health and environmental risks.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Global Warming

    1579 Words  | 4 Pages

    Media coverage of such cases have made the public less comfortable with the idea of moving further towards nuclear power and they only opt for reducing human activities to reduce global warming. It is true that there have been some notable disasters involving nuclear power, but compared to other power systems, nuclear power has an impressive track record. First, it is less harmful and second, it will be able to cater for the growing world population. Nuclear power produces clean energy and it delivers it at a cost that is competitive in the energy market (Patterson). According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are currently 65 such plants in the Unite States (National Research Council). They produce 19 percent of the total US energy generation.

    Read More

  • Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

    2165 Words  | 5 Pages

    March 11, 2011 marked the date in which the northern region of Japan, Tohoku, experienced a dreadful environmental tragedy that altered the lives of many Japanese people. A massive earthquake and tsunami triggered widespread and irrevocable damage to not only the Tohoku region and communities living there, but also to the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant ensuing the uncontrolled release of radiation into the environment. Due to this nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, many people have begun to question the plausibility of nuclear safety and the possibility of reliable government information. Japan, having suffered nuclear attacks in the past, has become a highly “nuclearized” nation despite the danger and risks involved. Japanese acceptance of nuclear power was developed through the employment of the “safety myth” and the promotion of the benefits of nuclear power. Prior to the accident in Fukushima, Japanese citizens did not realize the danger and risk that nuclear energy possessed because the government taught them otherwise. Many are starting to understand that the health and security of those directly affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima have been seriously compromised by a misguided national reliance on nuclear-generated electricity and power led by the government and enacted by their use of the “safety myth.” As a result, the accident in Fukushima has severely transformed Japanese people’s opinions towards nuclear power. In the wake of this disaster, Japanese people are reckoned with tough questions concerning the state of their nation, dependence on nuclear power for energy, the competence, and trustworthiness of their government, and the health and safety of...

    Read More

  • Chernobyl

    451 Words  | 1 Pages

    Nuclear power has always been a controversial issue because of its inherent danger and the amount of waste that the plants produce. Once considered a relatively safe form for generating energy, nuclear power has caused more problems than it has solved. While it has reduced the amount of traditional natural resources (fossil fuels), used to generate power like coal, wood, and oil, nuclear generating plants have become anachronisms. Maintaining them and keeping them safe has become a problem of immense proportion. As the plants age and other technology becomes available, what to do with these “eyesores” is a consuming issue for many government agencies and environmental groups. No one knows what to do about the problem and in many areas of the world, another nuclear meltdown is an accident waiting to happen. Despite a vast array of safety measures, a break in reactor pipe or a leak in a containment vessel, could spell another environmental disaster for the world.

    Read More

  • Positive Effects of Nuclear Power

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of nuclear power in the mid-1980s was not a popular idea on account of all the fears that it had presented. The public seemed to have rejected it because of the fear of radiation. The Chernobyl accident in the Soviet Union in April of 1986 reinforced the fears, and gave them an international dimension (Cohen 1). Nevertheless, the public has to come to terms that one of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. The current largest sources of energy are the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas. Fear of radiation may push nuclear power under the carpet but another fear of the unknown is how costly is this going to be? If we as the public have to overcome the fear of radiation and costly project, we first have to understand the details of nuclear energy. The known is a lot less scary then the unknown. If we could put away all the presumptions we have about this new energy source, then maybe we can understand that this would be a good decision for use in the near future.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Nuclear Power

    1546 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nuclear power, the use of exothermic nuclear processes to produce an enormous amount of electricity and heat for domestic, medical, military and industrial purposes i.e. “By the end of 2012 2346.3 kilowatt hours (KWh) of electricity was generated by nuclear reactors around the world” (International atomic energy agency Vienna, 2013, p.13). However, with that been said it is evident that the process of generating electricity from a nuclear reactor has numerous health and environmental safety issues.

    Read More

More about Nuclear Power Should be a Critical Component in a Strategy to Deal With Concern About Global Warming

Open Document