The Modern Condition Of Canada 's Energy Consumption And The Economic Benefits

When someone thinks of problems plaguing the world, nuclear energy is not the first thing that comes to peoples minds these days.[1]Nuclear power was once deemed the new energy of the future.[2]However, numerous nuclear power plant accidents around the world put a damper on that notion.The United States considers itself one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, but 103 nuclear reactors currently operating within her borders, one was bound to fail sometime or another.[3]

Diverse and multi-faceted, the Canadian business market is one of the strongest functioning mixed market economies in the world. Within the Canadian economy, the oil and gas sector stands as one of the largest and most influential sectors. The oil and gas industry is unique as it affects almost every person and sector of the economy worldwide, whether it is through commodity or material input costs. In Canada, this growing industry could allow for the country to be the one of the “biggest energy producers in the world” leading to a massive paradigm shift globally.

In 2007, Canada’s industries saved 2.1 billion U.S. dollars of energy costs (2007). All these numbers show Canada’s efforts in general public utilities.

Canada has the potential to be a “sustainable energy superpower” due to the vast amount of resources it contains. It has a large landmass and diversified geography which can be used to produce renewable energy from such resources; watermill, wind, biomass, solar, geothermal, and ocean energy. Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural resources that are able to be naturally replenished within a human lifespan (Natural Resource Canada, 2014). Currently, fossil fuel burning is the major source of energy in Canada and although it can be re-used, the process is so long that it is considered to be non-renewable. Also, fossil fuel burning for coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas pollutes the environment with greenhouse gases on a large scale, causing global warming. Non-renewable energy is taken from sources that re available on Earth in limited quantity, likely vanishing within fifty to sixty years from today (Conserve Energy Future, 2014). Thus, it is important for Canada to invest their money on resorting to more environmentally friendly and renewable ways to make electricity. Being a developed country, Canada has the financial stability to purchase the technologies over time in order to produce renewable energy. In addition, many organizations and the government have taken a step to educate the society about issues regarding energy usage, and to create programs which conserve energy for the future. In the future generations, Canada will be able to generate sufficient

Canada 's unique geographical location and its harsh weather conditions, requires extra use of energy to keep the houses warm."[Moreover we have to transport goods, to far of places including territories, therefore as a result we use extensive amount of fuel for the transportation purposes]" (Energy, Statistic Canada). "[Per capita consumption of electric power in Canada was 16,473.16 kWh in 2011. In 2010 Canada’s average energy consumption was, 41% from petroleum, 31% from natural gas and 1% consumption from coal]" (Energy, Statistic Canada). We produce about 65 million metric tons of coal each year but, consume 50 percent of it and the remaining is exported to many countries of Asia, including Japan and South Korea (ILC 2007, CGW4UA, U2, L10, P 24). As per Statistic Canada our total consumption of energy was divided as: "34% of the energy was consumed by transportation. Residential and Agricultural sector consumed 20%. Manufacturing 19%, whereas mining, oil and gas extractions consumed 10% of the energy. Moreover 74% of the total energy consumed was in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. Canada produces 3 million barrels of oil, and consumes 2.2 million of it" (Energy, Statistic Canada). The rest is exported to the United States for sale. Furthermore Canada has cross border trade of electricity with the US and it exports "30 billion kWh of electricity" (ILC 2007, CGW4UA, U2, L10, P 25).

On the same note, the energy revolution spoken of above brings forth another advance in the ongoing global climate situation. The nature of the Kyoto Protocol calls for nations to increase research and eventually semi-convert their energy usage to accommodate for cleaner energy. Products such as solar power, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, and hydropower are now widely being studying to create processes that use less coal, oil, and natural gas in production. Altogether the results have

Nuclear power provided 11 percent of the world 's electricity production in 2014. In 2016, 13 countries relied on nuclear energy to supply at least one-quarter of their total electricity.

Canada’s production, distribution, and use of energy resources, such as oil and natural gas had been undergoing long history of development that still persists until today. The industrialization of the sixties, and market-oriented economy of today initiated heavy reliance on natural resources extraction across the country, whether it is oil and gas, nuclear power, or timber production. Digging deeper, Canada is dependent on oil and gas production, with oil sands making up 90% of Canada’s reserves that are mainly concentrated in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin as well as well as in the Pacific Morgan Sedimentary Basin, that stretch along Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan (National Energy Board, 2014). Alberta appoints majority of oil sands production at the national level, then it is exported to the international market, mainly to the US, utilizing pipelines as modes of transportation.

The disastrous meltdowns that cause whole cities to become uninhabitable, as well as leaving families homeless and laborers without jobs, have defined the negative perspective of what people see in nuclear power. However, even after such catastrophes, the pure raw energy output makes nuclear power essential for the future of the human race. As time passes, the world’s energy usage has grown an increasingly massive size every year due to the consumption swell of energy. Despite nuclear plants being a heavily controversial topic internationally, its advantages are very well recognized and it’s causing nuclear plants to slowly become the basis of our growing society.

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.

As each year passes, more and more electricity will be made as a result of increased nuclear power plants around the world. The economic benefits of nuclear energy are equally advantageous as the environmental aspects.

With cartoons of many eyed fish; neon green tubes of uranium; and ominous images of dark, billowing smoke, nuclear energy is a source of great misconception and mythology. TV shows such as The Simpsons, and notable disasters such as Fukushima and Chernobyl have left many citizens around the world in fear of nuclear anything. However, these depictions and accidents are not a typical representation of what nuclear energy can do for the world. Climate change feels looming and environmental concerns are growing in the general public and demand for clean energy source is justly rising. Nuclear power is a safe source of environmentally clean energy that is a worthwhile investment for the American government and its people.

Energy runs the world. From cell phones to cars to computers, every technological advancement of the last millennium is dependent on one basic fundamental: the need for energy. However, within the last century, a global energy crisis has shocked the earth. Current power production methods pollute the environment, tearing ecosystems apart and destroying species. A clean, renewable, and powerful energy source is needed to survive. Nuclear energy is this source. The field of nuclear power is a modern, rising newcomer; however, nuclear energy is not as prominent within the energy industry as it must be. To truly stamp in change, the U.S government must grant more funds towards nuclear research and nuclear energy production must increase. Nuclear energy is the ultimate power source because it boasts only a minimal impact on the environment, leaves little waste, and is safe for humans.

To grow the Association, recognizing that through a robust and active membership, BC’s clean energy sector will grow and thrive along with it.

Global demand and consumption of energy is at an all time high; the world needs a safe, efficient, clean, and high producing source of energy production. The solution is something we already use for energy production, Nuclear power. From the beginning of nuclear energy there has been concerns over the safety of the power plants and its impact on the environment. With climate change and more accurate information on nuclear power the tide is shifting in its favor. This paper will explore the positives of nuclear power, political change on nuclear power, safety of the energy source and new technologies associated with the nuclear power process. Most importantly are the risks associated with nuclear power worth it? Research suggests that nuclear power is safer now more than ever and has less of an impact on the environment than coal or oil. Public support and misconceptions over the years have been up and down due to political agendas and those who are misinformed about nuclear power. Individuals who are involved in the energy field are in favor of nuclear power and building more plants with newer technology.