Nuclear Energy: Weighing the Risks Against the Rewards

Introduction

Every source of energy has its own drawbacks. This is especially apparent when considering recent energy-related accidents, including coal-mining mishaps, the nuclear crisis in Japan, and the BP oil spill, among others. This paper examines nuclear power and the consequences associated with its development, weighing the risks against the rewards.

Drawbacks of All Energy Sources

As noted in the introduction, every source of energy carries a set of drawbacks. For instance, while wind energy offers a number of benefits, it also has several disadvantages. In the words of Eccleston, March, and Cohen (2011), wind farms can interfere with radar, creating gaps in radar coverage that affect aviation and national security. They further point out that wind energy is largely unpredictable. Similarly, although hydroelectric power does not produce any primary pollution or waste, artificial lakes created by hydroelectric dams could trigger earthquakes as a result of the adverse effects they have on tectonic systems (Eccleston, March, & Cohen, 2011). These two examples clearly indicate that no energy source is without a downside.

With that in mind, it is worth highlighting the consequences of developing nuclear power. Currently, 19.9% of electricity generated in the United States comes from the country's 100-plus nuclear power plants (McKinney, Schoch, & Yonavjak, 2012). It is important to note that some countries, such as France, generate the majority of their electricity from nuclear power. A number of countries, including China and India, are slowly but steadily developing their nuclear capacity (Eccleston, March, & Cohen, 2011). However, as some countries continue to explore this energy source, others have halted their nuclear ambitions — Sweden, for example, has succumbed to public pressure to halt its nuclear operations (Eccleston, March, & Cohen, 2011).

Advantages of Nuclear Power

One key advantage of nuclear power is its ability to produce a large fuel supply (Miller & Spoolman, 2007). A relatively small number of installations can satisfy base-load demand. As already noted, the United States generates 19.9% of its entire electricity supply from just over 100 nuclear power plants (Eccleston, March, & Cohen, 2011). Secondly, nuclear energy effectively helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which have been linked to global warming. Nuclear energy emits only one-fifth of the total carbon monoxide released by coal (Miller & Spoolman, 2007).

It is also worth noting that multiple safety systems make accidents in nuclear power plants unlikely (Miller & Spoolman, 2007). This is corroborated by McKinney, Schoch, and Yonavjak (2012), who point out that "nuclear power plants, so far, are much safer (in terms of human lives lost), despite several widely publicized accidents." The authors argue that although other sources of electricity have had their share of accidents, they do not attract as much public attention as nuclear plant accidents do.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the risks of nuclear energy use far outweigh its benefits. This is especially the case given that even with enhanced safety features, nuclear power plants remain susceptible to unforeseen mishaps. A single disaster could easily erase the gains made from utilizing nuclear energy. Ultimately, the drawbacks associated with other energy sources appear more manageable when compared to those posed by nuclear energy.