Nuclear Energy
The use of nuclear energy has many advantages and disadvantages to the modern world. It is a process which involves unstable molecules (uranium) that are then split into atoms and when the molecules are split they release an enormous amount of energy.
There are many advantages with nuclear energy. A main advantage of nuclear energy is that it has a relatively low pollution, and because of this it will not speed up global warming (Nuclearinfo.net). Another important advantage is that the technology to build the plants is already available which means we do not have to look 20-30 years into the future for this method (Time for Change).
Per gram, uranium is 20,000 times more efficient than coal however, it is also a lot more rare than coal. The waste that is produced from the nuclear power plants is a lot less than the waste produced from coal plants but because this waste is radioactive it is also more dangerous.
However, this waste is stored in containers that can withstand water erosion, fire and earthquakes (Thinkquest.org). Another advantage is that nuclear plants are inexpensive in construction costs, and operating costs. The people that work and supervise at the nuclear power plants and all trained professionals/specialists (Nuclearinfo.net). Nuclear Energy produces about 20 percent of all the total energy produced in the United States
While there are many advantages there are also many disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages is that nuclear energy produces very dangerous radioactive waste. While it may be possible to contain it the radioactive waste can stay around for up to 10,000 years (according to the EPA) (Time For Change). The information between Time for Change and Thinkquest.org seems to disagree, Time for Change says that uranium is a scarce, rare resource that could run out in 20-30 years, however Thinkquest.org says that uranium can last for at least 100+ years. But they do both agree that uranium can run out over a long period of time. Another disadvantage of nuclear power is that since it is manually run there is room for human error which could cause accidents. These accidents could cause things such as: “cancer, cell death, genetic damage to future generations of that persons family, and radiation burns” (Nuclearinfo.net).
The storage and disposal of the nuclear waste is another problem because while the containers are protected some nuclear waste can still leak out so you have to find safe secure areas where no human/animal life will go (Nuclearinfo.net). While the reactors are useful “The reactors also have a very expensive capital outlay in the beginning, although the costs are cheaper in the long run” (Thinkquest.org). These plants can also be dangerous to the workers because of radiation leaks, that come through containers that can never be made completely safe (Nuclearinfo.net). Last, “The time frame needed for formalities, planning and building of a new nuclear power generation plant is in the range of 20 to 30 years in the western democracies. In other words: It is an illusion to build new nuclear power plants in a short time” (Time for Change).
Overall, the advantages and disadvantages are about equal, so there is no specific way to choose. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy have many uses to the modern world.
Works Cited Page
Arjun Makhijani, Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S.
Ieer.org, N/A, 2010, February 23, 2012
Jürg Rohrer; Ann-Kristin Peterson, Pros and Cons of Nuclear energy, Time for Change,
Nuclearinfo.net, The Benefits of Nuclear Power, Nuclearinfo.net, N/A, 2012, February
22, 2012 http://nuclearinfo.net/Nuclearpower/TheRisksOfNuclearPower Nuclearinfo.net, The Challenges of Nuclear Power, Nuclearinfo.net, N/A, 2012, February
Thinkquest.org, Alternative Sources of Energy, Thinkquest.org, N/A, 2007, February 22,
World-Nuclear.org, Nuclear Power in the USA
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