In the new millennium one of the biggest issues we face is the rising sea levels and melting of the ice caps. Island nations are predicted to be fully submerged if sea levels continue to rise at their present rate. Global Warming a phenomenon with the average global temperature rising since the 1880; has progressively worsened as industrial powerhouses like China and the United States try to meet demands and CO2 emissions increase as a consequence. The immediate effects of pollution from factories and automobiles can be observed in China with vast amounts of smog covering the Beijing skies affecting the respiratory health of the citizens. Unfortunately, these dangerous health problems plaguing the Beijing people has not deterred the government of China to reduce carbon dioxide emissions anytime soon. However, a new method to generate electricity known as Nuclear Power has gained popularity in China. As of today, China has 37 nuclear reactors operating and 20 more are under construction. Nuclear power generated 3% of the electricity in China in 2015. Nuclear Power could be an alternative to burning coal and fossil fuel to generate electricity in the future.
Nuclear power plants use heat produced from the splitting of uranium atoms, Nuclear Fission creating steam which drives turbines and generates electricity. Nuclear power has its own pros and cons that make it both a viable and non-viable method for generating electricity.
Reduces output of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Proponents of using nuclear power as an alternate energy source argue that less quantities of fossil fuels are burned and less toxic by products such as CO2 and SO2 are released. The burning of fossil fuel releases toxic pollutants that harm lung health and cause cancer. Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere to be breathed in by people damaging their internal respiratory system. Long-term exposure to air pollution causes premature death and accounts for 5.4% of all deaths worldwide. Ultimately if drastic measures and standards are in placed to prohibit the burning of fossil fuels Global Warming would cease to exist. A alternative method such as nuclear energy would replace fossil fuel without creating toxic pollutants. Unlike burning fossil fuel, nuclear power does not release any emissions into the atmosphere and produces nuclear waste instead.
Nuclear Waste
Opponents of Nuclear Power argue of the waste produced from spent nuclear fuel which is highly radioactive and contains toxic chemicals such as plutonium. The radioactive waste must be cautiously stored as it poses a threat on humans until it naturally decays. Exposure to radiation can cause changes in DNA and long term exposure has been associated with cancer. Ocean disposal and simply burying the toxic product have been implemented throughout the years. If properly disposed nuclear waste does not pose a threat and will eventually become safe as it decays over thousands of years. Nuclear waste can be safely disposed of without inflicting permanent health damages on the citizens unlike CO2 emissions which are regularly inhaled as it is part of the air we breath.
Accidents
Over the years of generating electricity through nuclear energy, a few accidents have occurred leaving the surrounding areas of the facility completely inhabitable. Chernobyl and Fukushima are some of the most disastrous nuclear accidents in the late 20th century and early 21st century. Examining Chernobyl’s case one of the reactors experienced an accidental power increase resulting in an explosion in its core. Radioactive isotopes were released into the atmosphere causing an open-air fire. Evacuation of nearby cities such as Pripyat took place as the radioactive contamination spread. Today the area contaminated with high levels of radiation is known as the Exclusion zone stretching an area of 2,600 km2 . Nuclear accidents like the one in Chernobyl are dangerous to all forms of life with high levels of radiation that can cause cancer. Making the area inhabitable for humans in the next 20,000 years estimated by Ukrainian Officials.
Nuclear power will most likely be the energy of the future as it solves the 21st centuries’ major problem Global Warming. With the current rate that the average global temperature is rising at, it will leave irreversible and devastating effects on the people and the environment. Substantial reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions must be implemented to reduce the effects of climate change. Nuclear power will generate the electricity of the future as burning fossil fuel will be limited or restricted and a alternative method of providing energy to the people will be required.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_waste
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_Exclusion_Zone
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/global-warming-effects/
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/2014/11/climate-change-threatens-irreversible-dangerous-impacts-options-exist-limit-effects/
