The Nuclear Power Debate Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Nuclear Power DebateIn 1953, nuclear energy was introduced into the States as a cheap andefficient energy source, favoured in say of increasingly scarce dodo fuelswhich ca purposed air pollution. Its initial use was welcomed by the general public,as it was hoped to lower the price of electricity, and utilise nuclear designer forits potential as a resource, not a weapon. However, as citizenry became aware ofthe long term dangers involved in storing nuclear waste, its use was criticised.Two accidents, at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, demonstrated to the worldthe marvellous risks involved in producing nuclear power.Nuclear power provides 17% of the worlds electricity but coal is themain source, making up 39%. However, fossil fuels such as coal, require greaterquantities to produce the equivalent do of electricity produced from Uranium.The use of nuclear power opposed to burning fossil fuels has reduced carbon copydioxide emissions by 2 billion tonnes per year, minimisin g the global warmeffect on the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is responsible for half of man makegases contributing to the Greenhouse Effect, and has sparked action from the UNIntergovernment Panel on Climate Change. Their consensus is a concern for theenvironment in the next century if fossil fuels confront to be used, even atpresent global levels. The Panel claims that for carbon dioxide to bestabilised to safe levels, a 50-80% reduction in alone emissions would be ...