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Exploring Nuclear Energy Impacts
Nuclear energy is a source of sustainable electricity and power. Globally, nuclear energy accounts for six percent of energy used for various purposes. For instance, studies indicate that nuclear energy generates approximately 14 percent of electricity used in the world. Very few countries in the world have the capacity to harness nuclear power and utilize it effectively.
Only thirty one countries in the world have nuclear energy plants (National Statistics 2001). Some of the countries which have made progress in producing nuclear energy, are the United States of America, Japan and France. These three nations use nuclear energy predominantly for generating electricity. Over the years there have been heated debates in conjunction to nuclear energy production.
These debates seem to be between two groups. One of the groups led by World Nuclear Association, believes that nuclear energy is a reliable and efficient source of energy. The other group led by Greenpeace International refers nuclear energy to as dangerous. In addition, they argue that nuclear energy poses great threat to living things and environment. In comparison with other energy production technologies, nuclear energy is safer. This fact puts nuclear energy in a better chance of being utilized in the future (McKean 2006).
Despite various groups and individuals expressing their concerns on the threat posed by nuclear energy, it has numerous advantages when compared to other energy sources. The advantages of nuclear energy are that it serves as an alternative energy source when oil and coal are limited.
Nuclear energy requires small amount of fuel as compared to fossil fuels. Small amount of uranium is consumed in nuclear energy plants in comparison to other fuel sources. Some of energy sources pollute environment (Michael 1988). For instance burning oil and coal is major air pollutants.
Disadvantages of nuclear energy are that the radiation emitted from the nuclear reactants is detrimental to human body. It can cause human cells death leading to illness or death. Also, there is a major challenge in disposing waste from nuclear reactors. This is due to radiation emitted from nuclear waste which can cause cells damage (Roger 1999).
There are several ways through which nuclear energy would influence my career, life and future. They include:
Personal income
Nuclear power energy plants are costly to establish. It costs government billions of dollars to establish nuclear energy power plants. The cost of constructing nuclear energy is high but the low fuel expenses give a sigh of relieve. To compare the economic implications with other energy sources, one has to put in consideration some of dependency issues like large amount of fossil fuel required and coal. Also, one should consider the economic implications of nuclear waste storage and disposal in nuclear energy.
Additionally, it is essential to put in consideration the cost in measures undertaken during global warming mitigation. Reduction in electricity demand is a challenge to these nuclear energy plants which require financial support to operate effectively and efficiently (Practical Guide 1995).
Future uncertainties should be considered during nuclear power economic analysis. In most countries running nuclear power plants, risks related to cost of construction, accident liability and performance operations, are passed to consumer. Nuclear accident liability magnitude is great to such an extent that only government has an obligation for compensation (Stephen 2001).
Scenario
For instance, I am living in a country which for years has struggled with high running cost related to use of fossil fuel and coal to generate electricity. The government comes up with the plan to start up a nuclear energy plant that is cheaper and more reliable to run than other energy sources.
In order to raise enough capital to construct this plant, the government increases taxes on consumer goods. It also, decides to increase the income tax on worker salary in order to raise enough revenue to build the plant. Such scenario will affect my personal life by reducing my net salary and increasing my daily expenses.
Likelihood: 1- unlikely; 5-Most likely Impact: 1-Negligible; 5-dramtic
Accident and safety
Many nuclear accidents have occurred before. The most recent nuclear energy accident was Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. These accidents are precipitated by some of factors such as lack of passively safe nuclear energy plants and poor means to dispose nuclear fusion. Accidents caused by nuclear energy have high economic implications as compared to other energy sources.
Scenario
Assume a scenario of workers in a particular nuclear plant. Due to poor safety measures in this plant fire breaks out. Some of the workers suffer severe burns. This scenario will influence these workers’ life. Some of them may suffer form psychological trauma and affect their normal life for along time.
Likelihood: 1- unlikely; 5-Most likely Impact: 1-Negligible; 5-dramtic
Environmental changes
Nuclear reactors emission negatively affect the climate. Increasing nuclear plants in the world has continued to cause climatic changes. It has been established that nuclear emission have detrimental effects on Ozone layer which protects living things on the Earth surface from harmful ultra violet rays.
According to Institute of Energy (1998), climatic changes experienced due to effects of nuclear emission include increased heat waves and frequent droughts. Release of nuclear emissions and nuclear waste in the environment has contributed to oceans and rivers’ pollution being harmful to aquatic life.
Scenario
Assume a scenario with drastic climate change after adapting nuclear energy as source of energy. Due to climate change the temperature rises and starts to experience drought spells. This climatic change will affect life of those who are dependent on good climate.
Likelihood: 1- unlikely; 5-Most likely Impact: 1-Negligible; 5-dramtic
Responses plan for high priority/ risks opportunities associated with key areas mentioned above:
- Increase in personal daily expenses: In the process of constructing a nuclear energy plants, government will require to pass the cost to its people by increasing salary taxes or increasing value added tax on goods. It is important for government to frequently inform and educate its people on the project progress and its benefits. Levying these taxes should be done in realistic criteria to avoid burdening of the people.
- Reduction in electricity and power bill: After installing nuclear energy plant, the cost of electricity production will reduce. Building a nuclear power plant is expensive, but running it is cheap as compared to other sources of energy like the coal and fossil fuel. In addition, energy production from nuclear source is reliable and efficient as compared to other energy sources. Benefits of decreased cost in electricity production should be passed to consumers by reducing electricity charges.
- Experiencing intolerable conditions for living things: Nuclear reactors emission and waste are harmful to the environment. Emissions from nuclear plants are among the factors contributing to depletion of Ozone layer. This has led global climate change like experiencing of droughts more often and increasing of atmospheric temperature. Waste from nuclear plants which drain to rivers and oceans have destroyed aquatic life (Gate & Hauser 1988). Measures should be taken to find safe methods of controlling emission and waste from nuclear energy plants. Public education is important to enlighten people on importance and measures of conserving the environment.
Summary report
This article analyzes nuclear energy affects on my life, career and future as a megatrend. Personal income is one aspect that affected construction of nuclear energy plants. Nuclear power energy plants are costly to establish. It costs government billions of dollars to establish nuclear power plants. The cost of constructing nuclear energy plant is high however; low fuel expense is one of its positive factors.
Relating to accident and safety, many nuclear accidents have occurred before. These accidents are precipitated by some of factors such as lack of passively safe nuclear energy plants and poor means to dispose nuclear fusion. To sum it up, nuclear energy causes environmental changes. Emission from nuclear reactors negatively affect the climate. Increasing nuclear plants in the world have continued to cause further climatic changes.
References
Gate, R & Hauser, D 1988, Chernobyl: The Final Warning, Education Australia, Sydney.
Institute of Energy1998, Nuclear Energy: The Future. Viewed on www.instenenergy.org.uk/events/Nuclear%20summary%20paper.pdf.
McKean, R 2006, Justification for Nuclear Power. Viewed on www.sone.org.uk/item2.htm
Michael, C 1988, An Introduction environmental and resource economics, Longman, Group UK.
National Statistics 2001, Energy consumption in the United Kingdom, OECD, Paris, France.
Practical Guide 1995, Economic appraisal of environmental projects and policies, Proquest LLC: Houston, Texas.
Roger, P 1999, Natural resource and environmental economics, 2nd edn, Longman, New York.
Stephen, K 2001, Nuclear power in a World of Liberalized energy Market. Viewed on www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/Nuclear_economics_kidd_02.htm
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