The document discusses the nuclear power debate, highlighting its initial introduction as a cheap energy source in the 1950s and subsequent public concerns regarding safety and environmental risks, particularly after accidents like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. While nuclear energy offers a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, its potential dangers, particularly in waste disposal and the risk of catastrophic events, remain contentious issues. The document argues that despite its drawbacks, nuclear energy may still be a viable option given the growing demand for electricity and concerns over carbon emissions from traditional energy sources.

1. Essay The Nuclear Power Debate
The Nuclear Power Debate
In 1953, nuclear energy was introduced into America as a cheap and efficient energy source,
favoured in place of increasingly scarce fossil fuels which caused air pollution. Its initial use was
welcomed by the general public, as it was hoped to lower the price of electricity, and utilise nuclear
power for it's potential as a resource, not a weapon. However, as people became aware of the long
term dangers involved in storing nuclear waste, it's use was criticised.
Two accidents, at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, demonstrated to the world the enormous risks
involved in producing nuclear power. Nuclear power provides 17% of the world's electricity but
coal is the main source, making up 39%....show more content...
Nuclear power is the only practical source, in consideration for the environment, cost and efficiency.
Coal–fired generation of electricity would increase carbon dioxide emissions, and renewable
sources such as solar and hydro, are not suitable for large scale power generation. Nuclear power is
not without its own implications. The process includes disposing of radioactive waste, which poses
a threat to the environment and the world if not contained properly and temporarily disposed of with
maximum security. In the thesis, "Nuclear power: an energy future we can't afford", by Peter Kelly
from Hamilton College, he wrote,
"...we'd still have to worry about terrorists making bombs out of nuclear waste.
Just five pounds of plutonium, a component of nuclear waste, is enough to make a nuclear bomb.
Such a bomb could topple the World Trade Centre and kill hundreds of thousands of
people...Terrorists may be able to recruit disgruntled scientists..." Disposing of nuclear waste is
extremely controversial, because it takes thousands of years to decompose, and the radiation remains
active. Other than the environmental effects of disposing nuclear waste, the potential of radioactive
fallout from a faulty reactor is a dangerous possibility, and the events following the accident at
Chernobyl demonstrated the long term destructiveness radiation is capable of. In 1986 at Chernobyl,
an
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2. Essay on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy
Nuclear Power and its uses is a growing discussion in today's era of technology. Australia is one of
the developed countries where the demands of energy resources are increasing rapidly. Nuclear
energy is coming up as a great alternative, but various factors support as well as oppose its growth.
Some countries oppose the usage of nuclear energy because of the problems associated with its
usage. Production and Maintenance of nuclear power is very expensive. Nuclear power is viewed as
too dangerous, uneconomical, and not required. Although, nuclear energy has a potential hazard, but
it is reliable in terms of efficiency, environmental impact and cost when compared with other sources
of energy. Therefore, the increase in the...show more content...
Though renewable sources of energy are reliable but their output greatly depends on the
environment. For example, cloudy days have no solar gain, hence no solar energy production. Quiet
days mean no wind blows to drive wind turbines. Dams are primarily for flood control, so
hydroelectricity production varies as dam water levels fluctuate.
Considering the case of Aswan Dam in Egypt not only caused thousands to loose their homes and
lives but also ceased the fertile surrounding because of the yearly inundation of the Nile. Moreover,
the subsequent silting up for the river destroyed much wildlife.
Due to Thermal Power Generation, 2500 million tons of coal each year is consumed to produce
38% of the electricity, While 61,000 tons of Natural Uranium will be used to generate the same
amount of energy (World Nuclear Association, 2005) .
Secondly, nuclear energy source has a weak impact on environment than the Non–renewable
resources. There is no doubt that use of fossil fuels leads to global warming. While, the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was only 0.028% five decades ago, now, as per American
Petroleum Institute (1998) estimates it reached 0.036%. Additionally, burning of fossil fuels,
especially coal, oil, and natural gases are the main causes for increase in pollution; especially air
pollution. Several hazardous pollutants are produced by fossil fuels combustion: Carbon Monoxide,
Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and
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3. Essay about Nuclear Energy
When most people think of a nuclear threat, they think of a nuclear attack from a
foreign nation. In reality, the largest nuclear threat comes not from foreign attack, but
from a much closer enemy: nuclear power. Nuclear power is very dangerous, and should
be done away with.
The nuclear age dawned in 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs
on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombing had at least two effects:
the Japanese surrender, bringing World War II to a swift end; and many people in the
United States, especially scientists and officials involved in the development of atomic
bombs, were awed, frightened and filled with guilt over the...show more content...
Many
people see the existing form of nuclear power as unsafe technology with a potential for
catastrophe. There have been multiple examples of this throughout the history of nuclear
power including the Browns Ferry, Three Mile Island, and Chernobyl incidents.
A serious incident occurred at a nuclear power plant in 1975 as a result of a fire
started by a candle. On March 22, 1975, two large reactors at Browns Ferry, Alabama
were operating and generating 2,200 megawatts of electricity. Beneath the plant's control
center, electricians were trying to seal air leaks among the complex array of electrical
cables that made up the electrical system of the two reactors.(Stephens 15)
The leaks were being sealed by stuffing strips of polyurethane foam among the
cables. To test for air leaks, the electricians held a lighted candle near the plastic foam to
see whether the flame flickered. Some of the foam caught on fire. Three chemical

4. extinguishers failed to put it out. After fifteen minutes a fire alarm sounded. Meanwhile,
the fire was spreading and destroying cables that affect the plant's electrical systems
including the reactor's Emergency Core Cooling System. A small pump had to be used to
keep the fuel core covered with water to prevent a meltdown.(Stephens 17–19)
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5. Nuclear Power Essay
Nuclear Power
As our population increases, so will our demand for electricity. Air conditioners, computers,
televisions, microwaves, and many other appliances have become necessities for Americans. All
methods of producing electricity have drawbacks. As the earth becomes warmer, we must look for
ways to decrease our use of fossil fuels. There are several ways to produce electricity without
releasing air pollution. The most feasible method at this time is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy
presents a safe, clean, and inexpensive alternative to other methods of producing electricity. Nuclear
waste can either be reprocessed or disposed of safely, provided certain precautions are taken.
Radiation
Properties
In order to understand the...show more content...
Another example is x–rays, which have become a valuable medical diagnostic tool. However,
overexposure to x–rays can increase a person's cancer risk or even cause immediate death (Taylor,
1996).
Average annual exposure from various sources
The average American's exposure to radiation (82%) comes primarily from natural sources.
Fifty–five percent comes from radon, which is given off by radium, a component of soil and rock.
Americans receive a smaller percentage of radiation from other terrestrial sources, such as uranium
in the soil, and from cosmic rays. Eleven percent of natural radiation exposure is internal, primarily
from radioactive potassium in our bodies. Eighteen percent of American's radiation exposure comes
from man–made sources such as x–rays, nuclear medicine, and consumer products, much of which is
the necessary byproduct of beneficial products and procedures. Americans receive only 0.1% of their
total radiation exposure from nuclear energy production. This figure includes exposure from mining,
milling, reactor operation, transportation, and waste storage. Interestingly, Americans receive 0.5%
of their total radiation exposure from the radioisotopes released into the atmosphere from coal–fired
power plants. We actually receive five times as much radiation from coal–fired power plants as we
do from nuclear power plants (Taylor,
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6. Argument Against Nuclear Power Essay
Every Friday in Japan, the lawn of the office of the Prime Minister fills up with hundreds of Japanese
citizens to protest in concern about the country's ongoing nuclear program in spite of the meltdown
of the Fukushima–Daichi power plant. 170 miles north of Tokyo, the meltdown happened in 2011
after a back to back earthquake and tsunami devastated cooling capabilities within the plant, which
subsequently led to the meltdown of one of the reactors. This even displaced tens of thousands of
people from their homes. (Junko, and Mullen Jethro) Although no deaths have been attributed to the
explosion or subsequent nuclear fallout yet, the full repercussions of the event have yet to been
fully experienced. A plan is still being developed of how...show more content...
("Nuclear Power in the World Today"). The question remains whether or not nuclear power is a
viable option for the future of the world's energy requirements especially in light of the recent
Fukushima facility disaster. Nuclear power offers many advantages compared to traditional means of
energy productions, however its shortcomings are quite apparent and severe as well. This argument
remains the reason why the industry hasn't exactly prospered in the United States over the last 30
years.
Despite the benefits that nuclear power offers, the truth of the matter is that nuclear energy is a
very expensive industry in terms of economics. According to a report by the Union of Concerned
Scientists the cost of construction of a nuclear power plant is extremely high and barely worth the
investment in the first place. The article states, " The first generation of nuclear power plants
proved so costly to build that half of them were abandoned during construction [and costs which
continue to increase with time] . . Between 2002 and 2008, for example, cost estimates for new
nuclear plant construction rose between $2 billion and $4 billion per unit to $9 billion per unit."
("The Cost of Nuclear Power: Numbers That Don't Add Up") The problem therefore, is finding
private investors that are capable of footing the bill. As disastrous events such as Fukushima or
Three–Mile Island reveal ineffective management processes and safety
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