The world is caught between diminishing energy resources and increasing climate change. Countries around the world (like Russia, China, India, South Korea, France, UK, USA) with their growing population highlight how important the demand for energy is fueling the global economy. If this demand is met by the massive carbon emissions from fossil fuels, then we are headed to a climate Armageddon. The most realistic solution for this exponential demand is nuclear energy. The use of nuclear energy will provide sufficient energy to power economies without the need to cause global warming. In a study taken by the World’s Nuclear Industry Association, discovered that only 18% of American, 31% Russian, 16% Chinese, and 17% British citizens knew what nuclear energy was (World Nuclear Association). Sadly, how can we find a solution to an epidemic as global warming when the vast population of the most dominant countries in the world has absolutely no clue what the cure is? In the simplest explanation, nuclear energy is when power plants split uranium atoms in a process called fission. The fission process generates heat, which is then transferred into electricity. By a single kilogram (equivalent to 2.2 pounds) of uranium can generate enough electricity as 200 barrels (8,400 gallons) of oil or even 20,000 kilogram (44,092 pounds) of coal (World Nuclear Association). These numbers are striking because it sheds light that if this energy source is so great then why is a large number of the world not using it? This is an incredible question that will be answered. The individuals that do have knowledge of what Nuclear energy is, have this still ignorant idea that because of a few past accidents that the use of this type of energy is pred... ... middle of paper ... ...Cited Kloor, Keith. "Can Nuclear Energy Really Solve Climate Change?" Slate Magazine. N.p., 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. "Environment: Emissions Prevented." Environment: Emissions Prevented. Nuclear Energy Institute, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. "Projected Costs of Generating Electricity." Http://www.oecd-nea.org/. International Energy Agency and World Nuclear Energy Agency, 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. Russell, Geoff, and Barry Brook. "Brave New Climate." Brave New Climate. University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute., 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. "Is Nuclear Power Safe for Humans and the Environment?" ProConorg Headlines. The US Environmental Protection Agency, The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Nuclear Energy Institute, 7 May 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. "Supply of Uranium." Uranium Supplies:. World Nuclear Association, 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
Although nuclear energy may emit less carbon dioxide as compared to oil or gas, it is nowhere near the alternative energy source we need. A Huffington Post article showed that water shortages, exacerbated by global climate change, minimizes the ability for expansion of nuclear power plants. As the generators require large amounts of water to keep them cool, they must be built on large water sources, mostly rivers and lakes. This reliance on water severely limits the places the nuclear power plants could be built, which makes nuclear an unreliable resource to replace oil and gas in the future as it could not meet all our energy needs. Furthermore, in 2009, France was forced to shut down many of their power plants due to the unseasonably warm summer it had, most likely caused by climate change. As our Earth continues to heat up and more places experience drought, nuclear energy is less and less reliable due to the reliance on cold water. Additionally, runoff from the water flows into nearby water sources, causing thermal pollution to the animals and ecological consequences. Coupled with the fact that we still have no idea how to properly dispose of the waste material left behind from nuclear reactions, nuclear power is not the alternative energy that solves major world problems. This hurts future generations, as we will not only create yet another reliance on an energy source that harms the planet, but divert attention away from truly solving the issue on hand. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance report from early June projects that as early as 2028, solar energy can replace the oil and gas sector demands. The cost of projection would also decrease for both solar and wind energy by 66-71% within the next ten years as well. Solar and wind have considerably less risks to the environment and, regarding these as more possible
After the United States developed the atomic at the end of World War II, interest in nuclear technology increased exponentially. People soon realized that nuclear technology could be used for electricity, as another alternative to fossil fuels. Today, nuclear power has its place in the world, but there is still a lot of controversy over the use of nuclear energy. Things such as the containment of radiation and few nuclear power plant accidents have given nuclear power a bad image. However, nuclear power is a reliable source of energy because it has no carbon emissions, energy is available at any time, little fuel is needed for a lot of energy, and as time goes on, it is becoming safer and safer.
The production of nuclear energy is not as safe and clean as some say that it is. The Oxford Research Group released a report providing evidence that supports this point. It is clear that nuclear power plants do not produce a lot of carbon dioxide when they operate, but it is the mining of uranium and the storing of waste that produces the carbon dioxide pollution. This way of producing power is not as friendly to the environment as once thought. The report states that over time more carbon dioxide will be produced because more equipment and energy will be needed to extract uranium ore and store the waste. It is estimated by 2070 uranium nuclear power would produce as much carbon dioxide as a gas fired power station. If the use of nuclear power continues to increase this number would increase as well having a significant impact on global warming and the environment (Herbst).
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.
"The Economics of Nuclear Power." Nuclear Power Economics. World Nuclear Association, Feb. 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
Nuclear power has proven before that it can result in tragedy, both seen in the accident in Chernobyl and Fukushima. However, in places such as France and even the University of Maryland, we can see the many advantages that nuclear energy can bring forth, and for different purposes. In both research and energy production, nuclear energy has proven that it can not only improve our health and the economy, but also emit less harmful gases on the environment than fossil fuels. Looking to the future, nuclear energy can easily ascend as a dominant source of electricity – if properly managed. Other sources of energy will slowly deplete and continue to damage the environment and atmosphere. Nuclear power provides a solution to so many of the current energy crisis problems, so it is only a matter of
Nuclear power has grown to be a big percentage of the world’s energy. As of January 18, 2013 in 31 countries 437 nuclear power plant units with an installed electric net capacity of about 372 GW are in operation and 68 plants with an installed capacity of 65 GW are in 15 countries under construction. As of end 2011 the total electricity production since 1951 amounts to 69,760 billion kWh. The cumulative operating experience amounted to 15, 15,080 years by end of 2012. (European Nuclear Society) The change that nuclear power has brought to the world has led to benefits in today’s energy’s usage.
There are plenty of things that might kill us nowadays. Among these are epidemics, wars, and maybe even the sun eventually swallowing up the planet. More prominently, we will be heavily damaged by carbon emissions from fossil fuels resulting in global warming.Obviously we need to solve this problem by moving to clean energy. The United States, along with many other countries around the world, are looking at nuclear energy as the possible solution. But, despite many advancements and benefits, the usage of nuclear energy still has the power and chance to devastate civilizations around the world, and may not even solve the prevailing issue of carbon emissions.
“Every dollar spent on nuclear energy is one less dollar spent on clean renewable energy and one more dollar spent on making the world a comparatively dirtier and a more dangerous place, because nuclear power and nuclear weapons go hand in hand” (Jacobson). Most countries today are becoming more and more dependent on nuclear power as a source of energy because of its high energy output and the availability of uranium used for fuelling nuclear reactors that generate power to provide electricity in households. Although using nuclear power as a source of energy has benefits like this, the danger posed by using nuclear power is too ominous.
As fossil fuels diminish, relying on nuclear energy sources would reduce our dependence on such fuels and thus, enhance our energy security. However, there are other security concerns to address, i.e. nuclear terrorism, accidents, and proliferation. Commercial reactors depend primarily on nuclear fission to generate electricity, but these reactors utilize low enrichment uranium (LEU) which has a low concentration of fissile material, 3-5%, which cannot be used to make a bomb (Nuclear Power, April 8). Returning to the use of uranium-238 to manufacture plutonium: this would require the reprocessing of spent fuel and fast neutron reactors to meet long-term sustainability needs. These reactors would consume long-lived radioactive waste and produce more plutonium; however, this would increase the widespread commerce of plutonium and, consequently, raise the proliferation risks to unacceptable levels (Ferguson 206). Reprocessing concentrates high-level radioactive waste into a smaller volume which requires secure disposal, this presents the possibility that terrorists could gain access to radioactive materials to use in “dirty bombs”; further, commercial plants symbolize national and economic power, when combined with the sources of ionizing radiation they house, they are targets for terrorists looking to play upon the fears of radiation and cause serious financial and psychological impacts (176). Some terrorists have expressed interest in attacks on nuclear facilities; however, terrorist motivation would have to be extremely high and possibly be willing to risk sacrificing constituents support–the probability of a nuclear terrorist attack is rather low. If “commercial power” means to generate electricity for homes and business, this could be extended to research reactors which use higher enriched fuel that could be used to make a bomb. North Korea built a
Cohen, Bernard L. "Nuclear Power Risk." Nuclear Power Risk. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. .
Nuclear energy is the energy from the fission or fusing of nuclear atoms, the most common being uranium atoms. This energy source is the largest provider of carbon-free emissions for creating electricity. Being such a reliable energy source, it's no surprise that there are already states and countries relying on nuclear energy to provide a large percentage of their energy needs. Nuclear plants also only need to stop producing energy every 18-24 months, and that's just to refuel. Many brilliant minds approve of nuclear energy and there are studies ongoing to make this energy source even more eco-friendly, reliable, and accessible. Nuclear energy plants currently provide 20% of America's energy needs currently, and that amount should definitely be increased in the next decade.
Nuclear Energy is a method of creating electricity by heating water from nuclear reactions. The process allows for large quantities of electricity to be created from very little nuclear fuel. Nuclear Energy creates only a fraction of the world’s energy production; this is because many people are fearful of the possibility of a meltdown or any other form of a nuclear disaster. However, even with all the disadvantages and hazards Nuclear Energy creates, it could become the most beneficial form of energy in the future.
World Nuclear Association. (2014). Nuclear Power in the World Today.Available: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Current-and-Future-Generation/Nuclear-Power-in-the-World-Today/. Last accessed 25th April 2014.
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.