Essay on Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power - 966 Words

As a result of the current global warming issues and the ever growing scarcity of our current energy resources we may be forced to resort to nuclear energy. The Department of Energy has already given its support to energy companies who have decided to construct nuclear power plants. It appears that nuclear power is the right course to take, but before this decision is finalised it is important to weigh the multiple advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. There are many pros and cons, but they weigh up almost equally which makes it a hard decision to choose the right course of action, nuclear power or non-nuclear power. The first step to deciding on the use of nuclear power entails looking at its pros. These advantages include its†¦show more content†¦The splitting of a large nucleus causes a chain reaction of splitting other nuclei and releasing shooting neutrons that can continuously split more atomic nuclei creating energy in the process. The next step includes comparing these pros with cons. These include the possible accidents or disasters, the possible creation of nuclear weapons, the expensive price of creating the nuclear power plant, The disposal and safe storage solution of nuclear waste, and the possible terrorist threat to nuclear power plants and waste disposal sites. Nuclear accidents or disasters have happened and taken place on different occasions in different locations in the past. Two of the most widely known nuclear disasters that occurred are the Three Mile Island reactor in the US and the Chernobyl reactor in Russia. Even the countries of France and Japan have had leakages and accidents. Japan experienced a partial meltdown of uranium core in Ottawa in 1952 and several other accidents afterwards including the well-known Tokaimura incident in 1999. France experienced its first major nuclear disaster in 1992 while the most recent was in July 2008. The latest involved a plant malfunction which caused 30,000 litres of uranium enriched solution to leak into two of France’s rivers. The possible creation of nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty provides that every country has a right to undertakeShow MoreRelatedPros and Cons of Nuclear Power in Usa940 Words   |  4 PagesNUCLEAR POWER GEOGRAPHY HOMEWORK 10/27/2012 DAISY SOWAH FORM 5W PROS AND CONS OF NUCLEAR POWER IN THE USA Worldwide, there are 441 nuclear power plants that supply about 16 percent of the worlds electricity. There are currently 104 operating U.S. nuclear power plants that produce over 20 percent of U.S. electricity. ADVANTAGES a) Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contributionRead MoreEconomic And Environmental Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power1411 Words   |  6 PagesAND ENVIRONMENTAL PROS AND CONS OF NUCLEAR POWERSTATION IN UK â€Å"HARTLEPOOL† A nuclear debate on the fuel cycle to the key economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power was held on the 3rd of March 2016 in Coventry University 212GED oil gas students. My acting role as EdF Witness local employee from Sizewell Nuclear Power Station was to stand in favor of â€Å"Pro nuclear†. The debate was to discuss why the committee should agree to deploy a nuclear power station in HeartlepoolRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power as an Energy Source Essay586 Words   |  3 PagesThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Nuclear Power Plants as an Energy Source Nuclear power is the use of continuous nuclear reactions to do practical work. It is produced by nuclear fission reactions which occur when adequate quantities of Uranium-235 are restricted to a small area. Nuclear fission is the process of nuclei being split. In this case a heavier nucleus splits up into two or more lighter nuclei, then this moves on by a chain reaction when the emittedRead MoreNuclear Power : A Source Of Energy881 Words   |  4 Pagesthat is available is wind power. Wind power is able to turn a mill that generates electricity. Wind power is a source of energy that is very reliable, steady, and consistent from year to year. The growth of the wind power sources can lead to more jobs that will help America s and the world s economy grow (Williams,What Are the Different). What is the cleanest and safest type of alternative energy? To some people s surprise it is actually nuclear power. Nuclear power is the safest, cleanest,Read MoreHow is Energy Produced from the Resource? Essay562 Words   |  3 PagesHow is energy produced from the resource? Nuclear energy is the power produced during a nuclear reaction. It can produce in two different ways like, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. It is from the sun and stars which releases heat and light energy to warm up the earth. How much nuclear energy do we use? It has been said that it produces 13-14% of the world’s electricity and it accounts for 6% of the world’s energy, France and japan make up 50% alone, and the U.S. has been producing 20% since 1991Read More Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Essay580 Words   |  3 PagesPros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Nuclear power was the world’s fastest growing form of energy in the 1990’s. However, presently it is the second slowest growing worldwide. Considering that nuclear power accounts for eleven percent of the world’s energy supply, one must ask what happened [Nuclear Power]. Why is it that the growth of nuclear power has almost completely stalled? The simple answer is that after meltdowns such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, many people are afraidRead MoreWorld Peace and Nuclear Powers860 Words   |  4 PagesWorld Peace and Nuclear Weapons By Naseer Ahmad Virk This article deals with one of the most debatable discussions of all time. Read on to know more about nuclear weapons pros and cons. Nuclear weapons have been in this world since World War 2 and have been used, till date only twice and that too in the same war we are speaking about. The only country to use nuclear weapons was the United States of America. The US dropped two atomic nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and NagasakiRead MoreNuclear Energy And Fossil Fuel992 Words   |  4 Pagesbetter the use of nuclear energy or the using of fossil fuel? People over the years have been debating on a realistic way on saving energy but also having an efficient amount of energy to generate millions of homes and places. The two sources of energy that are mostly used are nuclear energy and fossil fuels. Often people say that nuclear energy is the best approach while others believe it is the burning of fossil fuels. These two sources of energy have their own pros and cons when it comes to thisRead MorePros and Cons of Energy Sources1119 Words   |  5 Pages Pros and Cons for Oil Pros Cons - Readily available - Creates jobs for economy when required to drill and transport - Largest provider of electricity - The world has been using oil for the last 100 years - Not much new technology will be required to extract oil - Use of oil continually grows the U.S. economy - If certain regions would be allowed to drill oil in, then more oil could be extracted and the price could lower for gasoline - Production of oil rigs could lead to the development ofRead MoreNuclear Power And Nuclear Waste1272 Words   |  6 Pages Nuclear power, the type of energy that sits on the edge of humanity’s greatest hopes, and its darkest fears. With a country such as the United States continuing to expand its industry, housing, agriculture and commercial buildings there is a need for more and more energy each year. Nuclear power is one of the many ways the United States gets its energy. Nevertheless, it is one of the most controversial means of energy production. The main concern with nuclear energy is the nuclear waste that