Nuclear Power
Nuclear power has been responsible for driving high-tech innovations and is responsible for creating jobs for thousands of people. The question of whether nuclear power plants should be banned? Is a frequently asked question, as public awareness has been directed to nuclear power stations with the widely successful HBO miniseries, Chernobyl. The answer to this question should be a resounding no, as nuclear energy is cleaner, safer and more efficient than most of its alternatives, it is also by far the world’s largest source of clean energy.
Nuclear power has given the world a chance to radically decrease its carbon emission as concerns for global warming continue to rise. Nuclear power is produced through nuclear fission instead of chemical burning; therefore, the generation of power does not emit carbon (Rhodes, 2018). The use of nuclear power presents a chance to reduce the emission of carbon which in return will reduce global warming and human-induced climatic changes.
Nuclear power is highly effective and efficient since it can operate at a higher capacity. It's not every day that the sun gets to shine and nor the water passes through the turbines of a hydroelectric dam. Nuclear plants in the US are responsible for producing 20% of the electricity used, power plans have an average capacity factor that is over 90%, this means that nuclear power plants are operational for a total of 336 and are off the grid for maintenance for 29 days, in contrast, hydroelectric power has an average capacity of 38%, operational for 138 days (Rhodes, 2018). This makes nuclear power more efficient and reliable.
Despite the advantages brought about by nuclear power, nuclear proliferation has raised alarming concerns (Larsen, & Gravitz, 2006). The risk of nuclear technologies and fuel falling into the wrong hands would have adverse effects and increase weapon proliferation. The 1986 Chernobyl accident also portrays the deadly health effects if humans are exposed to radioactive materials that are used to produce nuclear power.
Inconclusion, nuclear power is clean and efficient. However, the continued production of nuclear power increases the risk of weapon proliferation and exposure to radioactive material has adverse health effects. Nevertheless, the advantages of nuclear power outweigh the disadvantages.
References
Larsen, T., & Gravitz, A., (2006). 10 Reasons to Oppose Nuclear Energy. Accessed 16th April 2020 from; https://www.greenamerica.org/fight-dirty-energy/amazon-build-cleaner- cloud/10-reasons-oppose-nuclear-energy
Rhodes, R., (2018). Why Nuclear Power Must Be Part of the Energy Solution. Accessed 16th April 2020 from; https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-nuclear-power-must-be-part-of-the- energy-solution-environmentalists-climate
