Don’t overlook downside of using nuclear power
Posted by keelynet on June 7, 2008
Well, yes and no. I think there are ways to better control reactors to prevent explosions from attacks or human/machine failure and there are ways to convert radioactive elements to inert elements in order to clean up toxic waste.
“Deputy Science Technology and Innovations Minister Fadillah Yusof said that with the present energy crisis and the increase in greenhouse gases, Malaysia was ready to harness nuclear power for its electricity needs. In our frantic bid to curb global warming, we tend to overlook the downside of nuclear power generation. The Chernobyl and Three Mile Island disasters in Russia and the US respectively are often argued as one-offs, but what is never highlighted are the smaller nuclear accidents that occur alarmingly on a regular basis at the world’s numerous power plants. Nuclear power plants and nuclear waste would be potential targets for terrorist attacks and if such attacks were to transpire, it would be catastrophic for the whole world. It takes many years to plan and build a new nuclear power station. The irony of the matter is that uranium (the base element) is a depleting source of energy and may be used up in the next four to five decades, after which we would be left high and dry. It is certainly not a sustainable source of energy. And just what are you going to do with the extremely toxic nuclear waste that would be produced? Experts tell us that its extreme toxicity remains for over 10,000 years. How would you prevent a potentially cataclysmic environmental contamination disaster? Bury it deep into the earth? But it would still be open for future warmongers to dig up to make bombs because the technology to make bombs is closely related to that of generating energy. We should explore other options of energy production through renewable sources.” – Source
2 Responses to “Don’t overlook downside of using nuclear power”
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sohas said
Nuclear plants are good to provide base load(stable output). It can help displace certain percentage of fossil fuel usage; hence helping to combat CO2 emissions and avoid high prices of gas. Countries can choose to build nuclear weapons/bombs in parallel, but how likely would they use it? The damage is massive and sane people would not use it. Hence if a regulation is in place, it should be done fair and square(subject current nuclear using countries to the same rules).
what is solar energy ,and how do we harnes sit said
what is solar energy ,and how do we harnes sit…
Well yes and no. I think there are ways to better control reactors to prevent explosions from attack […]…