Nuclear Power Advantages And Disadvantages

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Nuclear energy is being used in more than 30 countries around the world and even powers Mars Rovers. (11 Facts About Nuclear Energy) Nuclear power plants use “Nuclear Fission”, the process of splitting an atom in two - as can be seen in the first diagram above. This energy comes from uranium, a renewable source that needs to be mined. Uranium-fuelled nuclear power is a clean and efficient way of boiling water to make steam which drives turbine generators. Fission, when an atom is split into two parts, is the process which converts the nuclear energy into heat energy. Water flows through the reactor vessel, where a sequence reaction heats it to 300˚C. (How Electricity Is Generated Through Nuclear Power, EDF Energy) In order for the power…show more content…
Firstly, nuclear power produces radioactive waste which remains just as dangerous for tens of thousand years and more. The governments of many countries, especially Britain still do not a have a clue of what to do with the waste that has collected for over fifty years. Secondly, under the final resolution of the UN in 1946, a law states “The control of atomic energy to the extent necessary to ensure its use only for peaceful purposes” and also suggested the “elimination of atomic weapons”. (Nuclear Weapons, UNODA) This is summarising the fact that countries that develop nuclear fission cannot develop nuclear or chemical weapons. However, some countries use the excuse of nuclear power as a covert and as an underlying way to research and develop nuclear weapons which many countries view as a threat to their national security, hence becoming politically insecure. Thirdly, having nuclear power plants can make countries vulnerable to terrorist attack. According to The Independent, terrorists have already attacked a power plant in 2006 in Australia. (For and Against Nuclear Power) Moreover, radioactive waste and uranium fuel cargo can be usurped by terrorists to create bombs made of fatal waste material. Additionally, the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 emphasised that governments have to keep the risk in mind as nuclear power plants may be harmful to their citizens and environment, as well as…show more content…
A primary cause is the danger linked with the nuclear power plants and the lives of the people associated with it. Moreover, thinking ethically, having an environment on the basis of money-making schemes and not thinking about organisms in the atmosphere can seriously harm a living place altogether. Nuclear fission, as discussed above can prove to be tremendously dangerous. There is also a huge political debate against the use of nuclear power to generate electricity for “civilian purposes”. However, on the other hand, Nuclear power is a given upper hand for any country as they would be self-reliant, greener and a dominant power in international electricity generation. Also, if the method is well executed and controlled under the right conditions, it can be very safe and efficient according to a British Energy Minister. (Hawkes, page 33) To conclude, today’s nuclear energy is flawed and safer nuclear energy systems are needed. Opposing nuclear power as it stands as a threat to humans, it is important to consider that no energy procedures have no disadvantages. Therefore, taking in the information from the Chernobyl and Fukushima disaster, governments must have contingency plans in case there are any unforeseen natural
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