Why I Support Nuclear Power, Even After Fukushima In “Why I Still Support Nuclear Power, Even After Fukushima” writer William Tucker argues that even though Nuclear power is dangerous and risky compared to coal, natural gas, hydro, wind and solar energy, its more powerful and efficient than any other energy resource. There have been incidents like Fukushima where nuclear power caused destruction, but it doesn’t mean we should stop using it. There have been multiple incidents caused by coal mining and natural gas that has been deadly, but they are still being produced and used. Then why is nuclear power being avoided. Energy produced by hydro, wind and solar sources needs too much space in order to create large volume of energy.
Firstly, the usage of nuclear power is consistent and plentiful. As we know, the reaction of nuclear can emit a great power of energy, it can support vast of families’ and enormous plants’ working. In addition, unlike solar energy and wind power, which depend on external factors, nuclear power is consistent generate at anytime and anywhere. Secondly, since the nuclear power is easy to produce and it also can generate a huge amount of power, it is much cheaper to use it. What’s more, like Hill’s saying, “with the cost of natural gas and oil soaring”, the nuclear plants have return back to work and produce massive energy. Lastly, nuclear power benefits to environment: not only because it does not produce the carbon emissions, which can alleviates the global warming; but also it reduces the noxious byproducts, like sulfur dioxide, which is main reason of air pollution. Therefore, using the nuclear power is an ideal energy resource for human
According to Community Science Action Guides, nuclear power plants are cheaper to run, require smaller area than its competitors, and produce the most energy than environmental impact ratio. Nuclear power plants should be used in the United States based on three reasons: spatial area/location of use, cost efficiency, and environment friendly. To prove that nuclear power plants is a better energy solution, it will be compared to other major energy resources such as wind turbines, solar farms, dams, and biomass technologies.
Nuclear power also has a lot fewer greenhouse emissions. It has been determined that the amount of greenhouse gases have decreased by almost half because of the prevalence in the utilization of nuclear power. Nuclear energy has the least effect on nature since it doesn’t discharge any gasses like methane and carbon dioxide, which are the primary “greenhouse gasses” ("Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy."). So, nuclear power is the cheapest source of electricity and produces the smallest amount of pollution than any other source of energy. But there's even more pros about nuclear energy. It is the most reliable source of energy. Solar energy is only good in sunny places, wind energy is only good in windy places, geothermal energy can only conduct electricity where hot spots are located, and hydroelectric energy is produced by water turning turbines that produce electricity. Nuclear energy can be conducted anywhere as long as there is enough space for the power plant to be
Recently, the deserted Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has been emanating an alarming amount of radiation. Kyodo of Japan Times reported that the radiation reading has reached its highest level since its emergence in March 2011 (Kyodo, 2017). As a result, there is a greater presence of air and water pollution in Fukushima that could easily spread to surrounding areas. Therefore, it seems appropriate that in an interview with the Washington Post, radio-ecology expert Tom Hinton stated Fukushima is “an area that is among the most radioactively contaminated in the world” (as cited in Andrews, 2016). This resurgence has generated conspiracy theories, false maps and, interestingly, little news coverage. While many across different continents
Despite citizens opposed nuclear power plants, the government positions nuclear power plants as "important baseload power supplies" and shows the posture to utilize it as well as before nuclear accident six years ago, government decided to "reduce it as much as possible". In other words, people's resistance failed. The government wants to supply stable electricity at low cost, and Japan is an island country with few resources, and if there is no nuclear power will be insufficient when it is emergency. In addition, from the dangers of nuclear accident occurrence, citizens raise demonstrations or requests compensation. There are many people who oppose restarting in Japan because there are many people who think that safety is more important than
“Why I Still Support Nuclear Power, Even After Fukushima” written by William Tucker, nuclear energy is still the best option for the contemporary society we live in today. Tucker goes on to explicate “The events in Japan have confirmed many of the critics’ worst predictions” (Tucker 228). Tucker then examines two other nuclear accidents, Three Mile Island, & Chernobyl. Tucker acknowledges that there is still a very serious threat of contamination that is widespread. Then he gives some facts to show that the other industries have had bad accidents also. In one incident 130 people were killed in a natural gas accident that occurred in Cleveland in 1944, the accident leveled a whole neighborhood. Tucker
This is due to the accidents and mishaps within some countries that happen and affect the whole world due to the devastating and large amount of damage to the ecosystem that these catastrophes cause. Some examples of nuclear accidents are the recent one in Japan a few years ago, and older accidents such as, Chernobyl. These accident cause great exposure to high levels of radiation for people in surrounding areas and can sometimes be carried around the globe under certain atmospheric conditions. There are other dangers as well. So you can see why there is a debate as to the efficiency and practicality of ongoing use of nuclear power.
After Fukushima, the developing of Nuclear energy has been doubted. America proclaims that Nuclear energy is high in cost. Hence, speaking of not only maintaining the plants, they will also need to be inspected and made sure that there are no problems. This all cost money, America claims. It cannot be cost efficient if it need such high levels of management. Nuclear energy is not safe for the environment. Since the Fukushima destruction, America says that even though it may be a more reliable source but it creates hazard for the area because of the unknown damages that could partake. After the natural disaster that happened in Japan where three reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi were hit, it caused a meltdown. Therefore, leading to many damages
William Tucker, journalist for the Wall Street Journal specializing in environment and energy, provides us with intriguing information in his article, "Why I Still Support Nuclear Power Even After Fukushima". Tucker explains his belief that nuclear power is still the most effective means of power with minimal risks, despite the radioactivity associated with nuclear power. Fukushima, a nuclear reactor harboring city in Japan, was devastated by a tsunami after a massive earthquake in 2011. Despite the history of Fukushima, Tucker goes as far as to say, "There are no better alternatives available" in terms of energy resources. Whereas Tucker does indeed bring up compelling points regarding
This gives nuclear power a much smaller carbon footprint than its traditional counterparts. The second advantage is that nuclear power plants have less emitted radiation than traditional power plants. This is somewhat of a surprise as nuclear energy is based on radioactive materials. The answer to this conundrum is the ability to contain the radiation. Nuclear power plants are heavily shielded and often built underground to keep the surrounding environment from being exposed to excess radiation. Traditional power plants emit 0.03 millirem per year as opposed to nuclear power plants emitting 0.009 millirem per year (McGregor, para 13). These two advantages combine to make nuclear power a much more environmentally attractive alternative to coal and natural gas.
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.
Hypothetically, let’s say a college student, named Steve, rented an apartment and had to pay the rent but was low on money. What could he do? He was only in college working at a job that didn’t pay him much. Well, one day he reads the newspaper and sees that there is a nuclear power plant being built where he lives. Steve is a very smart man and thinks that he can find a job there. He sends his application and gets the job. Now, he makes enough money to pay his rent and still buy other necessities. Although transporting radioactive material such as waste is dangerous, several methods are used to assure it safe; therefore, we should allow a nuclear power plant to be built in Sparta.
Nuclear energy has come a long way over the years. It has proven to be clean, safe, and reliable. But those three things are not the only benefits of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy also proves jobs for many people. With nuclear energy, it is the only source of energy that can replace a significant part of the fossil fuels, which those massively pollute the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. I believe that nuclear should be continued to be used. The three reasons I think it should still be used are because of the environmental consequences it prevents, the reliability, and the cost of it.
My argument is that nuclear power may be the so called “safe” and “clean” source of energy that we are looking for, but can we really afford to continue to use this source of energy. Is it “clean”? One problem with nuclear power is that
Increasing the use of Nuclear Power in the U.S is a necessary step for this country. The use of Nuclear power would substantially lower environmental pollution by diminishing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from popular and harmful fossil fuel energy sources such as coal, crude oil and natural gas. Some argue that the use of Nuclear power is too dangerous, but evidence shows that it is a safe way and efficient way to extract energy without disrupting our earth. Another argument against the use of Nuclear Power is the handling of the nuclear waste. In reality, ninety-six percent of the nuclear waste can be recycled and the amount of nuclear waste is a minuscule amount compared to the impact of fossil fuels. Nuclear power is a safe, environmentally friendly and effective way to obtain energy.