Thursday, May 22, 2014

 The development of nuclear technology opened the door to a massive problem that the world has to face. Nuclear energy is a big energy source, but it is also one of the most complex solutions for the world’s energy crisis. The world faces a serious problem with energy, since our current energy sources are very limited and they are inefficient. However, nuclear energy is a long term source of power that could be a solution to this problem. Unfortunately, the technology of nuclear energy is a double edged sword. It has advantages and disadvantages. Some people think it has the power to move the world forward regardless of the negative effects, but other people see that it is an inappropriate source of energy for our world and the environment. They see that it is a black cloud that puts the health of people and animals in danger. They are more interested in other kinds of energy like solar and wind power. As for me, I see that it would be better if we don’t use nuclear energy because of its danger for the environment, its cost, and the possibility of its military usage.

Generating nuclear energy is a big and difficult project. Even though most people think it is simple and safe, the truth is that there have been terrible accidents that have killed innocent people. The most famous accident was in Chernobyl. The safety of people and wildlife should be most important. Humans, animals, and plants are essential elements of a healthy environment. You would not call it “The environment” without humans, animals, and plants. Nuclear power workers put themselves in danger of being hurt while they are doing their jobs at the plant. Radiation can hurt their bodies and not only that; it can also hurt the environment where they are building their power plants and laboratories, killing the animals and the natural plants. This bad impact can last for a long time. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant should be strong evidence of this fact. On April 26th, 1986, a huge radioactive, smoky cloud was created and spread through the air, and a lot of people were hurt and killed, in addition to many animals. Also, those bad effects are still with many people. So, you can see that the environment is in danger from nuclear power. When people, animals, and plants are rapidly destroyed and in danger, the cause of this threat must be limited.

Radiation has three major effects: cancer, radiation sickness, and genetic mutation. Cancer is one of the leading killers throughout the world. Radiation sickness has long-term and short-term effects; some are anxiety, fear, grief (other mental health problems) and most likely cancer. These mutations can cause birth defects and even leukemia in children. None of these problems occur with oil, gas, or coal. Is nuclear energy really worth the problems? I do not want to see my nation, my world fall down. I only want success for my future and the future of every other person. Nuclear energy is not the answer. Meltdowns, radiation, and exposure of nuclear waste cannot be avoided. We must continue our work on ways to produce energy. Nuclear power technology produces materials that are active in emitting radiation and are therefore called "radioactive". These materials can come into contact with people principally through small releases during routine plant operation, accidents in nuclear power plants, accidents in transporting radioactive materials, and escape of radioactive wastes from confinement systems.There has been much misunderstanding on genetic diseases due to radiation. The principal risks associated with nuclear power arise from health effects of radiation. This radiation consists of subatomic particles traveling at or near the velocity of light---186,000 miles per second. They can penetrate deep inside the human body where they can damage biological cells and thereby initiate a cancer. If they strike sex cells, they can cause genetic diseases in progeny.

Projects that put human’s lives at risk should not receive funding from investors. Generating nuclear energy requires a big financial investment. Building a nuclear plant in itself requires several billion dollars. It is hard to calculate the cost of nuclear energy. Millions of dollars are used at every single step of the process. However, money should instead be used to help humans and the environment, and for the benefit of our world. It is terrible to spend this money on a risky method while there are a lot of other options, like solar and wind power. Solar energy is one of the forms of power generation that are more useful. Solar power can be an alternative source of energy that requires less investment. This is also true of wind power. So, if there are other safe and good forms of power, why don’t we use them?

It is challenging enough when the scientists try to use the nuclear energy to be an effective future solution to the world’s energy problems. However, there is an additional danger in that nuclear technology may be used to make weapons of mass destruction. Countries that compete to generate nuclear energy so that they can use it as a weapon, cause danger for people, for other countries, and for the whole world. Scientists who created the first nuclear energy devices should have thought twice before they gave this risky knowledge to the world. Sadly, nuclear energy has been used against the world, people, and the environment. It continues to threaten the world with the possibility of war. A lot of countries have used the by-products of nuclear power generation to make weapons of annihilation.

Creating nuclear energy also generates incredible problems. The problem in itself is whether to take a stand against it or to approve it. People need this kind of powerful energy that can provide an easy and comfortable life for them. They want to have a clean and healthy environment. However, it is a risky and dangerous power. Therefore nuclear energy as a source of electric power has faced both approval and criticism. However, as I have illustrated, scientists should spend their time and money more wisely. They have to keep the environment in mind and be sure to create only safe energy projects. Nuclear power has the potential to eradicate all life on the earth, so scientists should use the billions of dollars to develop their countries and to save humans and animals. They should not use this money to develop and generate a dangerous tool to wipe out life. We are humans; we have the right to live in a clean and safe world. If we can’t find the right way to live in a way that is healthy and comfortable, how can we develop our civilization? We should build and not destroy. The only incident in the history of U.S. nuclear power that might cause any civilian deaths was the Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania in 1979, which released enough radiation to cause an estimated five cancer deaths in the general population over the next 30 years. Normal power plant operation is not considered to pose any risk.

In conclusion, I totally agree that by switching to nuclear energy, we are exposing ourselves to great danger. We can see that the sinister consequences of the decision to use nuclear power far outweigh the advantages of using such sources of energy. Continued use of nuclear power could lead to more severe types of accidents with effects that can not be irreversible. Countries world wide should research on better and safer sources of energy rather than risking the lives of millions of people just to generate the energy needed to supply our daily energy requirements.There is no need to increase cancer risk by introducing a hazardous means of producing electricity. Replacing coal to limit global warming should not be based on another toxic product. Instead, it should feature conservation, more efficient products, and safe renewable forms of energy such as wind, solar, and geothermal power to protect public health.

1 comment:

  1. In grand details this essay is and it is very understandable, your point I mean, to a fact that humans are in danger due to the harm a power plant can do. Keep on writing, I like it

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