Society and Nuclear Power

Society and Nuclear Power


There is a paradigm change from alien abduction to nuclear fission in a world dominated by discussions about improving the atmosphere, obtaining access to clean water, and reducing the risk of terror attacks and other natural disasters. Scientists have expressed reservations about using nuclear power to replace other energy sources to minimize global greenhouse gas emissions. According to recent studies, atomic power generates over 14% of global electricity (Ahearne 10). For decades, however, nuclear technology has been seen as a potential source of weapons of mass destruction in the event of a disaster, such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which resulted in the deaths of many people. Charles D. Ferguson book, "Nuclear Energy, What everyone needs to know," is a clear debunk on the myth of the destructive force of nuclear energy.

Development and Accidents


For half a decade now, man has explored nuclear energy as a source of electricity. However, the nuclear accidents that happened in Chernobyl and the mile island in 1986 and 1979 respectively slowed down developments in atomic energy and even aroused questions on its relevance (Ferguson 139). Later on, we had the Fukushima crisis that led countries like Germany who were not nuclear enthusiast to have more reasons to shut down their power plants and consider other sources of energy. These accidents are just organizational mishaps that can be dealt with adequately trained staff and a solid contingency plan. Conversely, the issue of safety personnel comes where there is a growing concern even in China as to the viability of safety personnel. The dangers of a poorly maintained nuclear reactor can be very destructive. Countries have explored the possibility of using atomic energy as a source of renewable energy, but a deadlock is that they perceive that training of personnel takes years.

International Responses and Concerns


The aftermath of the Fukushima in Japan led the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to review nuclear plants in the United States. Also, Germany issued a moratorium to the shutdown of all its three reactors, while China had to deal with the problem of public hysteria due to its resolve to continue with the use of nuclear energy (Ferguson 136). Countries such as France, whose sole energy source comes from nuclear, are considering to increase their reactors. Nuclear proliferation has also been a problem in the development of nuclear plants as it could lead to mass destruction and other terror activities that could wreck lives. The 9/11 attack also increased the concern that terror attacks may be directed towards nuclear reactors, thus, causing destruction. The UFO missiles directed at the United States power plants were also significant concerns about the risk of nuclear power.

Nuclear Energy and Climate Change


The question of nuclear energy and climatic change is a matter of concern that Ferguson does not hesitate to mention. In the background information, he gives the consequences of nuclear plants that are poorly managed and says how they will cause the emission of carbon gases into the atmosphere, will deplete the ozone layer (Dodds 28-32). Radioactive waste has also been a problem throughout nuclear development, whose cause has been bad politics and poor technological recourse.

Conclusion


In conclusion, nuclear energy as a source of about 14% global electricity needs to be maintained with proper policies and technology. To reduce the risk it poses to the environment; there is need to learn from the historic nuclear cataclysms that were majorly caused by poor management and installation. Also, when we tackle the politics around nuclear energy and solve the leading causes of terrorism, the fears of nuclear proliferation will be a case of the past.

Work Cited


Dodds, Felix, and Richard Sherman. Climate Change and Energy Insecurity: “The Challenge of Peace, Security, and Development. New York: Routledge, 2009.

Ferguson, Charles D. Nuclear Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know? Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.

Ferguson., Charles. New Conventional wisdom on nuclear plant Dallas News. 2 December 2011, https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2011/12/02/charles-ferguson-new-conventional-wisdom-on-nuclear-power.


Ahearne, John F, Albert V. Carr, Jr, Harold A. Feiveson, Daniel Ingersoll, Andrew C. Klein, Stephen Maloney, Ivan Oelrich, Sharon Squassoni, Richard Wolfson. The Future of Nuclear Power in the United States. Lexington: Federation of American Scientists, 2012.

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