The nuclear power industry is depleting and falling apart because of the rise of alternative energy sources that each claim they are the best source of sustainable energy. One of the most controversial topics in the environmental world gives way to debate. The nuclear industry is running out of business, and if nuclear energy the best source of energy for our society, these are the topics that will be assessed. Multiple novels such as Power to Save the World, The Truth about Nuclear Energy; Terrestrial Energy; Conserving the Environment will provide accurate statistics to be used as a basis for the arguments that are being presented within the research paper. The nuclear industry is slowly becoming extinct because alternative energy …show more content…
Nuclear power is being forced out of its own industry because of alternative energy sources such as wind power, hydrogen energy, solar power, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, coal, oil, and natural gas. The overall reason to why these energy sources are forcing the nuclear energy out of business is because each of these alternative energy sources claim to be more efficient, more sustainable, and more environmentally friendly. There is an increased demand for alternative energy sources because of the rapid incline in climate change and the urge to suddenly have a true impact on our environment. This urge exists because in the past, many environmentally harmful products were mass produced and different energy sources were created, but they were harmful to the environment. “The social changes of the 1960s brought a new ecological awareness to American culture, galvanizing the environmental movement.” (“Conserving the Environment”) These harmful products and energy sources were used excessively and caused the earth to respond with climate change. Many people believe that there is a need to “catch up” and to make a true impact on our environment. Relating to these alternative energy sources, solar energy gets processed through solar panels which get powered by
For years, many scientists, environmentalists, and energy experts have been studying how human’s creation and use of energy has impacted our environment. These experts have discovered some troubling facts. Most of our country’s energy is created from burning fossil fuels that pollute our atmosphere, contribute to global warming, and thus threaten the future of our planet. But there’s a safe and effective solution to this problem: nuclear power. Nuclear power should be used more in the United States to create clean power that doesn’t pollute our environment, in order to help combat climate change.
In both of the supporting articles over the use of nuclear energy, there is a proficient amount of strengthens and weakness in both arguments. Though the use of the background and prior information given in the preclude, it allows the reader to understand the basics of nuclear energy and the way both authors are approaching to present their ideas. Using this analytical preface most of the information presented, allows the reader to have an idea on which side is more appealing to their choosing. Allowing the reader to get a perspective on both sides of the argument will insight them on the information presented and will ultimately give a substantial amount of evidence to back their claims.
In Hans Blix's essay, Nuclear Power and the Environment, Blix suggests that nuclear power should be the main source of power to meet the constantly growing energy needs of the world. He discusses why fossil fuels should be discontinued due to their environmental impact as well as renewable energy sources and how they can not meet the growing demand for energy. Blix makes a strong, persuasive argument for the use of nuclear power through his use of statistics, his discussion of the alternatives, as well as his refuting of the common misconceptions about nuclear power.
In our society, nuclear energy has become one of the most criticized forms of energy by the environmentalists. Thus, a look at nuclear energy and the environment and its impact on economic growth.
From the electricity that kept my home warm and powered the lights at school to providing employment to both my parents for the past 30 years, nuclear power has been at the center of my life growing up. In Wadsworth, Texas, the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company has been a way a life thousands of people by providing nearly 1200 jobs and providing carbon-free electricity for over 2 million people. However, this is just one example in just one state in the United States. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, 11 percent of the world’s energy comes from nuclear power plants and for 13 countries it provides more than 25 percent of their country’s energy. However, even though nuclear power has made its mark as a global competitor in the realm of green energy, incidents such as 3 Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima have created a global sense of uneasiness. On top of this underlying fear, the huge building costs of new nuclear plants has lead to a stunt in the growth of nuclear energy even though operation costs for nuclear energy at $0.0219/kW is less than that of coal ($0.023/KW) and almost half that of gas ($0.0451/kW) (IER). Even though nuclear energy has had some setbacks, it is still safer (short-term and long-term) than the carbon-producing alternatives. The question at hand is whether we should take an utilitarian perspective by giving more serious consideration to the long-term effects of the carbon-emitting energy sources and whether we can overcome our
Nowadays, governments are facing two main problems about electricity: resources of fossil fuels are running out and countries need to diminish their carbon emissions. Nuclear is seen as the most common alternative. Nuclear currently supplies 19% of the UK’s electricity and 11% in the world (NIA,2015). In the UK, all but one of the current nuclear plants are due to close by 2023. Should the UK replace their nuclear plants by a new generation of nuclear stations? Because of the accidents, costs and problems of nuclear waste, some people are opposed to this possibility. Their solution would be that Britain could achieve 85% of its power via renewable energy by 2030. This essay will examine if nuclear power is the best alternative to fossil fuels while continuing to supply the rising demand for electricity in the UK. It will be argued that there are advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power and that other alternatives should be considered.
Nuclear energy as a continual source of energy is risky. Author William Tucker explores the use of uranium for energy in his essay. Tucker explains that although disasters, like the Fukushima meltdown, are scary, every other viable source of energy is also inherently deadly. He tells about a natural gas explosion in Cleveland that leveled an entire neighborhood along with 130 casualties (Tucker 228). Next Tucker explores the benefits our environment can gain from nuclear energy. Nuclear fuel rods are used for 5 years, and can continuously power a city the size of San Francisco for the entire time, without creating any greenhouse gases of any sort (228). And for the negative effects of mining? In just two states there are 732 coal mines. In
Fossil fuels are criticized for contributing to the “global warming” theory, and the “greenhouse effect” blamed on unregulated industry, and transference pollution in our atmosphere. While energy preservation and education are important, it doesn’t solve the long-term problem: energy is needed and is increasing in demand as technology and our way of life advances. It is not possible to install a solar panel on every house, or a windmill on every hill. Fueling the future is a growing challenge for the world. At the current rate of consumption, fossil fuels will soon run out. Nuclear energy is clearly one of the best answers to our energy problems. Nuclear power system produce a tremendous amount of energy for their mass and are very safe when
Nuclear Power is widely regarded as a viable choice in enabling sustainable development, especially when renewable energy sources remain in their growing stage of development and distribution. Nuclear Power has many benefits compared to f of However, nuclear power also remains one of the most controversial sources of energy. The debates on it are mainly based along the lines of environmental, safety and security.
Nuclear power was the world’s fastest growing form of energy in the 1990’s. However, presently it is the second slowest growing worldwide. Considering that nuclear power accounts for eleven percent of the world’s energy supply, one must ask what happened [Nuclear Power]. Why is it that the growth of nuclear power has almost completely stalled? The simple answer is that after meltdowns such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, many people are afraid of nuclear power plants, which causes great opposition to the expansion of the industry. Unfortunately, most people are not well informed about nuclear energy; many do not take the time to view its positives and negatives.
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.
The world as we know today is dependent on energy. The options we have currently enable us to produce energy economically but at a cost to the environment. As fossil fuel source will be diminishing over time, other alternatives will be needed. An alternative that is presently utilized is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is currently the most efficacious energy source. Every time the word ‘nuclear’ is mentioned, the first thought that people have is the devastating effects of nuclear energy. Granting it does come with its drawbacks; this form of energy emits far less pollution than conventional power plants. Even though certain disadvantages of nuclear energy are devastating, the advantages contain even greater rewards.
The world's natural resources are being consumed at an alarming rate. As these resources diminish, people will be seeking alternative sources by which to generate electricity for heat and light. The only practical short-term solution for the energy/pollution crisis should be nuclear power because it is available, cleaner and safer.
In fact, nuclear power is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to produce large amounts of energy. While nuclear plants generate 20%of U.S. total electricity, it produces only 2000 tons of radioactive waste, whereas the United States coal industry produces 115 million tons of waste, which contains the noxious tidings of mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and even radiation. It isn’t only emitting million tons of CO2, but it is also pollute the ground. In contrast, nuclear waste is controlled very carefully. It is kept in special storage facilities that prevent the leakage of radiation, while coal withdrawals aren’t controlled so that they can pollute environment. (Montgomery, 2010) Moreover, some experts claim that nuclear power can help to stop global warming. (O'Keefe, O'Brien, Pearsall, 2010) Nowadays nuclear energy prevents more than 8% of the world CO2 emission, because nuclear plants produce 40 to 100 times less CO2 than fossil-fuel plants. Countries such as Belgium, France and Sweden, which have developed nuclear programs, reduce their carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions, but countries, which didn’t use nuclear power in the significant way, increased emission
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.