RP286 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power

 RP286 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power

Nuclear energy inspires passionate debate. As the world struggles to solve its energy problems, some believe nuclear power is our savior. Dramatic accidents and near misses, however, have convinced its opponents that nuclear energy must be discontinued.

Nuclear accidents tend to be famous and deadly. The Chernobyl accident may have killed more than 15,000 people. Three mile Island could have been deadly. No one knows what the long-term effects of the Fukushima meltdown will be.

Ironically, however, nuclear power is considered safe. The disasters make headlines, but yearly deaths from mining, burning, and drilling for oil and coal far exceed deaths related to nuclear power. Because nuclear power is so dangerous, the safety standards for most plants are extremely high.

Nuclear power is also relatively clean. It emits less carbon dioxide, contributing less to global warming than its competitors coal and oil. It's more efficient than any other power source. One ton of uranium produces as much energy as millions of tons of coal or oil. Therefore, nuclear power saves money and minimizes waste.

It sounds great, but that's not the whole story. Nuclear power's safety, first of all, is relative. While there have been very few nuclear accidents so far, they are always possible. A major accident at a nuclear plant would have far more devastating effects than a collapsed mine or a blown oil rig.

These potentially devastating effects mean nuclear power plants may become targets for terrorism. An attack on a nuclear plant could cripple an entire nation. It could even affect the whole planet.

Then there's the waste. Nuclear plants don't emit many gases, but they create radioactive waste. This waste must be stored away from humans for thousands of years, leaving a mess for other generations to clean up. This waste could also be used to make weapons.

Cheap and efficient, or deadly? Nuclear energy may be too powerful a process to ever be safe in human hands. Time— or the next disaster— will tell.