Nuclear power generation: pros, cons, and energy policy implications

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Nuclear energy -- pros and cons

There has been a lot of controversy regarding nuclear power during recent years, as even though it represents an impressive source of energy, the facts that it is highly unstable and difficult to control make it difficult and almost impossible for particular bodies to accept its importance. Nuclear power is one of the most impressive energy sources in the present and as conventional energy sources are either depleting or becoming too polluting people need to consider an alternative. Although nuclear power will certainly put an end to problems caused by other energy sources, it comes along with problems of its own and it is thus difficult to determine if it actually needs to be considered as the most viable solution to replacing many traditional energy sources.

Although it initially seemed like the best alternative to expensive and polluting fossil fuels, nuclear power gradually came to pose a serious threat as society realized that it was very difficult to control. Moreover, people were unable to come up with solutions to get rid of radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants (Mcleish 7).

As the issue of global warming came into public attention several decades ago it once again became obvious that nuclear power needed to be considered as an important alternative to fossil fuels. Nuclear power produces much lesser carbon in comparison to fossil fuels and it thus stands as an intriguing solution to the problem of global warming, especially considering that most experts believe that the burning of fossil fuels is one or the primary reasons why global warming is experiencing progress (Mcleish 7).

When considering nuclear power and reasons why it would be wrong for society to consider it a viable alternative to fossil fuels and to all other kinds of energy, most people are probable to think about nuclear accidents that occurred throughout history and claimed numerous lives. The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion and emission of radioactive material into the environment is certainly one of the most catastrophic nuclear events throughout history. This incident enabled people to understand that it was wrong for them to underestimate the potential harm that nuclear energy can cause. The more recent Fukushima power plant incident further contributed to emphasizing the fact that nuclear energy was very unstable and that it is very dangerous to use it. The event involved a tsunami causing a power plant to malfunction and for the area in the plant's vicinity to become polluted with radioactive energy, thus causing individuals there to have to be relocated to safer territories. Among other problems with nuclear accidents, one of the most important issues is that they rendered a place inhospitable for numerous years after they actually occur (Mcleish 7).