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Is nuclear power beneficial or detrimental
Is nuclear power beneficial or detrimental
Pros and cons of nuclear power production
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Introduction: The growing demand for energy is one that the supply has never been able to match. This constant search for new and viable energy sources has led to the advent of very unconventional and often controversial sources. One such source is nuclear energy. Since its first commercial introduction in 1960, nuclear energy has grown to become a major player in the energy sector generating 14 percent of the world's electricity. However, some countries are more dependent on this power source than others. France relies on nuclear for 75.2 percent of its electricity. (National Public Radio, 2011). This potential to generate enormous amounts of energy from fission or fusion reaction is not without its risk. I wish to highlight some negatives associated with nuclear reactors with appropriate focus on health and environmental impacts. The interesting thing about nuclear energy is that it has become a very integral part of the energy sector within such a short period of time. The process is relatively simple in theory but also very complex in its application. The process involves generating large amounts of heat/energy from either a fusion reaction (fusing together smaller elements to produce heavier ones) or a fission reaction (which involves breaking down heavier elements into smaller one). The efficiency of these reactions are so high that relatively very little amounts of these elements is needed to produce tremendous amounts of energy. But these processes (fusion or fission) are not without its downside and as we strive to understand this new technology, we uncover various risks which could potentially have devastating consequences if left unattended. With proper caution, we can continue to harness energy from this risky process ... ... middle of paper ... ...roduction/np-risk.htm National Public Radio. (2011, May 16). A Nuclear-Powered World. Retrieved from National Public Radio: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/16/136288669/a-nuclear-powered-world Pomerantz, D. (2011, April 26). Push for No New Nukes. Retrieved from Green Peace USA: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/nuclear/ Sovacool, B. K. (2008). Valuing the greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power: A critical survey. Energy Policy, 36, p. 2950. Strickland, E. (2011, March 16). Explainer: What Went Wrong in Japan's Nuclear Reactors. Retrieved from IEEE Spectrum: http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/energy/nuclear/explainer-what-went-wrong-in-japans-nuclear-reactors World Nuclear Association. (2014, April). Chernobyl Accident 1986. Retrieved from World Nuclear Association: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Chernobyl-Accident/