Nuclear Energy – Blessing or Curse?
Nuclear Energy – Blessing or Curse?
Nowadays hot debates surround use of nuclear energy. It is widely suggested that it is one of the cheapest and cleanest energy resources, whereas others strongly disagree with that viewpoint, and claim that use of nuclear energy poses an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity. Consequently, there are many demonstrations against nuclear power plants worldwide, whereas others consistently support nuclear energy. Where does the truth lie?
One of the major advantages of nuclear power is that by generating electricity by nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants do not produce carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas causing global warming. Experts have proved that Britain’s power plants have decreased the nation’s carbon dioxide emission by between 7 and 14 per cent. Although even nuclear energy isn’t 100 per cent clean, it is considered carbon free.
Secondly, nuclear power plants provide low-cost energy at a stable price, and have relatively low operating cost. Researches have proven that the operating and maintaining cost have been declining over the past decades. Furthermore, nuclear power plants can be operated for an extended period of time. Needless to say, low price energy is very beneficial for the industry.
On the other hand, nuclear power plants produce nuclear waste, which is not biodegradable and is extremely dangerous. Moreover, it remains hazardous for thousands of years. There ere several ways in which nuclear waste is stored, such as burying the waste under the ocean floor, storing it underground or shooting it into space. The most promising option so far is burying it underground. However, this method poses great threat to wildlife, and if nuclear waste comes into contact with groundwater, it can easily contaminate it.
One of the most potent arguments that has been put against nuclear energy is the issue of nuclear disasters. Nuclear disasters occurred in Chernobyl in 1986 and in Fukushima in
Nowadays hot debates surround use of nuclear energy. It is widely suggested that it is one of the cheapest and cleanest energy resources, whereas others strongly disagree with that viewpoint, and claim that use of nuclear energy poses an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity. Consequently, there are many demonstrations against nuclear power plants worldwide, whereas others consistently support nuclear energy. Where does the truth lie?
One of the major advantages of nuclear power is that by generating electricity by nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants do not produce carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas causing global warming. Experts have proved that Britain’s power plants have decreased the nation’s carbon dioxide emission by between 7 and 14 per cent. Although even nuclear energy isn’t 100 per cent clean, it is considered carbon free.
Secondly, nuclear power plants provide low-cost energy at a stable price, and have relatively low operating cost. Researches have proven that the operating and maintaining cost have been declining over the past decades. Furthermore, nuclear power plants can be operated for an extended period of time. Needless to say, low price energy is very beneficial for the industry.
On the other hand, nuclear power plants produce nuclear waste, which is not biodegradable and is extremely dangerous. Moreover, it remains hazardous for thousands of years. There ere several ways in which nuclear waste is stored, such as burying the waste under the ocean floor, storing it underground or shooting it into space. The most promising option so far is burying it underground. However, this method poses great threat to wildlife, and if nuclear waste comes into contact with groundwater, it can easily contaminate it.
One of the most potent arguments that has been put against nuclear energy is the issue of nuclear disasters. Nuclear disasters occurred in Chernobyl in 1986 and in Fukushima in