Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Power:
A Short Commentary on the Safety of Nuclear Energy
The question of safety in the utilization of nuclear energy has been discussed in the world debate forum on nuclear issues since the inception of nuclear technology in the 1940's. Many experts believe that nuclear energy can be utilized safely, and many advocate for the continued utilization of nuclear energy. Yet there are some among illustrious scientists who believe that nuclear power, in any form, is bad, and can harm humans. These latter individuals give the example of Chernobyl, and most recently, Fukushima, and point to countries such as Iran, who are developing nuclear "energy" without a clear statement of their intention as to what they will do with this technology. Thus, the uncertainty surrounding various facets of nuclear issues prompts one to think whether, in fact, nuclear energy is positive or whether the world forum should monitor more closely the utilization of this technology, especially in rogue countries. This essay will discuss these issues by referencing four recent articles, cited in the reference section at the end of the paper, and present, as its central point, the fact that if unregulated and unchanged, the utilization of nuclear power in an unsafe way can lead to many disastrous accidents.
The cause, in this case, is the utilization of nuclear energy for, most of the time, peaceful and beneficial purposes, yet the effect, as seen in disasters in Ukraine and Japan, can be catastrophic. Thus, many journalists are now wondering whether the safety mechanisms in place...
The most obvious disadvantage, one that far outweighs the advantages of nuclear power, is the fact that accidents can cause death and destruction on a massive scale (i.e. Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and Fukushima). Yet safe nuclear power does exist, more specifically in the form of the thorium reactor. Needless to say, this reactor was not utilized in any of the three places mentioned above. But this reactor is safe, because it does not produce waste and provides clean, reliable electricity. Furthermore, it is safe from just about any natural disaster and quite cheap and efficient to run. It is thus surprising to hear that in the wake of such disasters and such disadvantages to utilizing other types of reactors, more thorium reactors are not employed. The reason that many have not heard of these reactors is because nobody wants to change current practices, if they work, and many lobbying groups employed agree, for some odd reason, against these reactors, simply to maintain the status quo. Unfortunately, this is the sad truth, and threatens to be so for years to come. (Article 1)
The threat of more accidents with respect to this issue is not something that can be ignored. Yet the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is keeping aging reactors within standards of safety by either weakening or ignoring its own rules. This is not only alarming, but challenges the very purpose of this commission and demonstrates very reckless behavior. Some investigations have, in fact, found that the NRC has twice weakened safety standards, which…
References
1. Cribb, Julian. (2011, April 26) The Canberra Times. "Why is no one talking about safe nuclear power." Retrieved December 6, 2011 from www.canberratimes.com/au/news/opinion/editorial/general/why-is-no-one-talking-about-safe-nuclear-power/2144252.aspx .
2. Dallas News. (2011, June 22) "Editorial: yes to nuclear power, but only if safety comes first." Retrieved December 5, 2011 from www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20110622-editorial-yes-to-nuclear-power-only-if-safety-comes-first.ece .
3. NY Times. (2010, February 17) "Editorial: a reasonable bet on nuclear power." Retrieved December 5, 2011 from www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/opinion/18thur2.html .
4. The Yomiuri Shimbun. (2011, June 23) "We need nuclear energy, so let's make it safe." Retrieved December 5, 2011 from www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/T110622005048.htm .
Decreased Usage of Nuclear Energy: Qualitative-Content Analysis ADissertation Presentedusing the Qualitative Content-Analysis inPartial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor ofManagement in Environmental and Social Sustainability Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Caroline WesterhofPH-D Chair Dr. Daphne DeporresPH-D Committee Member Dr. Steven Munkeby, PH-D Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 A qualitative content analysis will be conducted to explore the phenomenon of decreased usage of nuclear energy at a time when global climate change indicates the
Management Research in Decreased Usage of Nuclear Energy: Content Analysis A Dissertation Presented using the Qualitative Content-Analysis Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Caroline Westerhof PH-D, Chair Dr. Steven Munkeby PH-D, Committee Member Dr. Daphne Deporres PH-D Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 A qualitative content analysis has been conducted to explore the phenomenon of decreased usage of nuclear energy at a time when global climate change indicates the need for increased usage of nuclear energy.
Decreased Usage of Nuclear Energy: A Qualitative Content Analysis A Dissertation Presented using the Qualitative Content-Analysis Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina Anastasia PH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the phenomenon of decreased usage of nuclear energy at a time when global climate change indicates the need for increased usage of nuclear energy. First, nuclear energy is declining in its share of
Meta-Analysis of Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal in Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina Anastasia PH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities.
Meta-Analysis of Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal in Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina Anastasia PH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities.
Meta-Analysis of Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal in Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina AnastasiaPH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities. First,