Atomic Energy and Nuclear Power

“The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.” (Albert Einstein). This problem consists of the ever rising energy demand worldwide, which is directly proportional to the steady increase of the world’s population (See figure 1 in the appendices). This increase resulted in an accelerated depletion of the resources of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas (See figure 2). For centuries, fossil fuel was, and still is the most conventional source for generating energy. Unfortunately, it is not sustainable, or will not last for many generations. Currently, efforts are being exerted in prioritizing alternate sources of energy, in order to fill the gap once fossil fuels are not abundant enough to maintain the energy demands of the world. One of these sources is comprised in atomic energy, from which we can extract nuclear power.

According to Mann and Gordon, fossil fuels are formed from natural operations like anaerobic decomposition when exerted on dead organisms. Typically, these organisms are estimated to be over 650 millions of years old. From this fact, fossil fuels are considered to be non-renewable since they require millions of years to form. In addition, their reserves are being depleted much faster than they are generated through power plants and refueling vehicles. Hodgson expects the world’s consumption of energy to double every fourteen years and the demand is constantly rising. He also insisted in 2008 that the world’s production of oil, the primary resource of fossil fuel, is expected to peak in 10 years and decrease afterwards. This expectation may get crossed out if new oil wells are discovered, although no large oilfields ha...

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... usage is currently generated from. Unfortunately, fossil fuels are not sustainable, and are estimated to diminish in the 2080s. Therefore, it is necessary to make the transition to at least one other source of energy in order to maintain our ever increasing energy demand. One of the possibilities lies in nuclear energy, which splits into two main categories, nuclear fission and fusion. The former is also not sustainable, but is capable of meeting our power needs for about a hundred and sixty millenniums. The latter is considered sustainable, and if made possible, it may be the solution to the initial problem of finding an everlasting, clean source of energy. However, nuclear power is facing difficulties in getting accepted by the public. Finally, shifting from fossil fuels will have a positive impact on the environment through the reduced greenhouse gas emissions.