Nuclear Power: A Radioactive Waste of Time Essay

For many years now, technology has strived to discover substitute(a) energy sources that atomic number 18 cheap, efficient and not harmful to the environment. atomic might is one of the alternative energy sources that technology has discovered. There atomic number 18 many views on whether or not it meets the aforementioned criteria, but the major concern when it comes to thermo atomic indicator is the arctic issue. Is thermo thermo atomic power safe? There is sufficient evidence to prove that it is very unsafe, including past atomic power related catastrophes, the by-product of nuclear power, and the situation that nuclear power seed downs are a vulnerable target for terrorists.Firstly, the amount at risk when it comes to nuclear power is overwhelming, accidental meltdowns cook the ability to accept instant death to many people, and have a life time effect on many more. On April 26th, 1986, an accident happened at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, and it caused a meltdown in the reactor. The results were catastrophic the meltdown released more radioactivity than the atomic bombs that dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During the disaster, 56 people died and virtually 600,000 people were capable to high levels of radiation. The radiation spread to places as far as Scotland. _Refer to figure 1._There are arguments that the Chernobyl meltdown was a result of old technology and mismanagement. Yet, since Chernobyl, concord to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission there have been nearly 200 near misses in the US in which the elicit rods at the shopping center of reactor came close to melting down. Nuclear power gambles with our lives, our health and the environment, an accident at work for someone can end the life of many.The nuclear exorbitance that comes with nuclear energy is a major concern for the environment. On average, a uranium ore contains merely 0.1% uranium. The majority of the materials extracted during uranium ore mining is was te containing former(a) precarious radioactive and toxic substances. Most nuclearreactors require one specific form of uranium, uranium-235 (U-235). This form represents plainly 0.7% of natural uranium. To increase the concentration of U-235, the uranium extracted from ore goes by means of an enrichment process, resulting in a small quantity of usable enriched uranium and huge volumes of waste. Enriched uranium is then put into fuel rods and transported to nuclear reactors where electricity is generated. Nuclear power plant operation transforms uranium fuel into a rich, highly-toxic and dangerous mixture of radioactive elements, such as plutonium.Plutonium is the manmade element used in nuclear bombs, only a small amount is needed to bring about a devastating outcome this deadly mixture remains dangerous for about 240,000 years. Furthermore, the radioactive waste produced emits large amounts of hazardous radiation. Even a couple of minutes of exposure to high-level waste can easi ly result in fatal doses of radiation. Radioactive waste therefore needs to be reliably stored for 240,000 years, one should take into account that humans have been on earth for only 200,000 yearsAnother problem is that there is no reliable spot to store away this waste for such a long period of time. Reprocessing of nuclear waste was supposed to be a beginning to the problem however, the reprocessing plants use a process that actually leads to more hazardous waste flows. non only is there the long term radioactive waste to worry about, but also the low-toned uranium (DU). Currently there is about 1.2 million tonnes of depleted uranium stored without any foreseen use in the future. _Refer to figure 2._The American and British governments used DU as armour for tanks and piercing tips for munitions in the Gulf War, veterans of this war have had health problems due to their exposure to DU. Even their children have suffered from their exposure to DU. Hence the process that it takes t o produce nuclear power and all the waste that comes as a by-product is a massive and dangerous waste of time. The radioactive waste can be harmful to our health and our environment, and without a safe and reliable transshipment center method we should realize the more nuclear power we process the larger the problem of nuclear waste.The nuclear industry may argue that nuclear power is the solution to global warming and the humor crisis by promoting nuclear power as a low carbonsolution. Todays valet de chambre is subject on coal, oil and gas burning these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, the main cause of global warming and climate change. Furthermore, oil and gas are finite, so a long term solution to the problem is desperately needed. However, nuclear power is not the answer, as nuclear power can only go forth electricity it cannot meet our transport or heating energy needs. Nuclear power generates around 15% of the Earths electricity, but only 6.5% of the worlds total e nergy supply. _Refer to figure 3._Additionally, according to the Energy Scenario by the International Energy Agency, even if existing world nuclear power might could be quadrupled by 2050, its share of world energy consumption would still be below 10%. This would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by less than 4%. Hence nuclear power clearly isnt a solution to global warming.Nuclear power increases the risk of nuclear weapons potential of spreading to other countries, of terrorists gaining material to make nuclear bombs and of potential terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities or transports. Reactors have not been built to withstand the impact of a large aircraft nuclear waste transports are even more vulnerable to terrorists. A study by Dr. Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that a potential terrorist attack on the Indian Point nuclear plant in the US could lead to 518,000 long-term deaths from cancer and as many as 44,000 near-term deaths from acute radiation pois oning. These numbers are from a potential terrorist attack on one plant, over half a million people will be killed because of nuclear power.It is blatant that nuclear power is unsafe, even if a reactor core doesnt meltdown accidentally a terrorist could cause the same results that a regular meltdown would. Not to mention the black market that has developed to nuclear materials. A typical power plant produces enough plutonium annually for 10-15 crude nuclear bombs. Experiments conducted by the government of the United States have shown that several nuclear weapons can be built in a matter of weeks using ordinary spent fuel from light water reactors (the most common type of reactors). Another study by the US government revealed that a country with only a marginal industrial base could secretly and quickly construct a small plant just 40 metres long, capable ofextracting about a bombs worth of plutonium every day. Hence nuclear power is unsafe and can lead to massive destruction at th e hands of terrorists.In conclusion, nuclear power is an unsafe for many reasons. Firstly, there have been nuclear meltdowns in the past which yielded devastating results, and many more close calls. Secondly, there is no solution for radioactive waste which is harmful to us and our environment. Also, nuclear power doesnt help our environment through its low carbon solution. Lastly, nuclear power plants are vulnerable to terrorist attacks, which puts the safety of many at risk. Hence, nuclear power is unsafeWorks CitedGreenpeace International. (2009). Nuclear power. Retrieved January 6, 2011, from http//www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/nuclear-power.pdfSterner, B. W. ABC Says Nuclear Reactor Unsafe The Tech. The Tech MITs Oldest and Largest Newspaper. Retrieved January 6, 2011, from http//tech.mit.edu/V125/N46/nukesafety.htmlNuclear Energy. Educational Web Sites. Retrieved January 6, 2011, from http//www.phy6.org/stargaze/Snuclear.htmPhysicsworld. Do we ne ed nuclear power? Retrieved January 6, 2011, from http//www.physicsworld.com/cws/article/print/128Pros and cons of nuclear power Time for change. Retrieved January 6, 2011, from http//timeforchange.org/pros-and-cons-of-nuclear-power-and-sustainabilityThis contamination will have an effect on several generations to come.FIGURE 1FIGURE 2The process in which nuclear power is generated, steps 1-5.FIGURE 3Nuclear Power only generates electricity, hence why it cant be a solution to climate change.