The Advocacy for the Use of Nuclear Energy as a Sustainable Source - Research Proposal Example

Yilmaz Yigit Tokman Jeffrey Peirce EGR 150 February 27, Topic: The advocacy for the use of nuclear energy as a sustainable source but a control of its proliferation Abstract The paper offers an insightful analysis of how nuclear energy has by far been underutilized. According to Bobric et al (8), 63% of the world electricity comes from fossil (coal, oil and gas) 19% arises from hydro and only 17% from nuclear. To this extent, nuclear energy is being underutilized and an increase of its use will have more benefits as both a supplement to the renewable energies and a source that is sustainable and can be relied upon. An increase in it use will foresee a replacement of the green house gases that bring about global warming and able to foster development. The increase will by far bring about a ‘sustainable development’, which was a term coined by the Brundtland commission whose intention were to protect the future generations while minimizing depletion of the same resources at present. This paper therefore offers insight on the issue of increasing nuclear energy so as to meet the global energy needs that the (world energy) council contends as being huge to meet the efficiency within which energy is provided. However, the paper is still cautious of the negativity involved with the issue such as the proliferation and the threats it brings about. Reviews The proposal exposes the intricate relationship that exists between the use of the energy and the impact it has on the environment. The proposal is about the increase of the use of the nuclear energy to supplement the existing sources of energy. The advocacy for the increase in the usage of nuclear energy does not imply ignorance should be made in regards to the threats that exist. This underlies the fact that there has to exist laws and regulation that govern the usage and production of such. This ensures caution and a further responsibility to be held by countries that get involved. The proposal offers the alternative to the prevention of what is being envisioned; which is global warming and a world that will have sustainable development through the production of nuclear energy. The proposal hence offers both an analytical and critical outlook of where the world is ending in terms of the sources of energy and the path within which it is to be undertaken to make these world a more efficient and safer place. Hypothesis The belief is that the current sources of energy that include fossil fuels (such as coal and oil) are becoming exhausted at an alarming rate, such that within the next decade they may be depleted. This leaves the question of how humans will sustain themselves and hence the need for an alternative source of energy that should be dependable and exist in limitless nature. Nuclear energy is believed to be resourceful in that it can provide what is required to supplement or become the existing source of energy. Long Term Objectives The objectives that are likely to become the long term are one that will make nuclear energy a sustainable energy source that will be reliable and have no harm to the environment. The perceived lack of emissions of green house gases is revelation that it holds the future for sustainable energies. The world will be able to achieve energy in ways that are environment friendly and are not a threat to its existence. The advancement of continued use of fossil fuels has been seen as one that erodes the environment whereas the research in fusion energy provides more attractive commercial products. To this end, studies have confirmed that the cause of global warming is mainly the release of green house gases. This then means that nuclear energy is not among the factors that lead to global warming, an indication that it is a clean energy for the present and future. Background It is without a doubt that the world stands threatened due to the global warming. This is so because since 1950, the world’s climate has been warming, primarily as a result of emissions from fossils. The term global warming has therefore become a familiar term due to its impact on the environment (Houghton 69). Studies have shown that nuclear energy that is generated from nuclear power plants produces 16% of global electricity and only provides 6.3% of energy production within which a mere 2.6% goes to the final consumption. Studies argue that the nuclear energy is a sustainable energy that reduces carbon emissions and is able to increase energy security. Nuclear energy has no limits, hence can be harnessed to the greatest; making it more efficient than the limited sources such as fossils. He contends that relying on renewable energy will never solve the crisis that befalls climate and the energy in particular. The proponents also contend that it is far much cheaper to use the nuclear energy than either fossils fuels or renewable energy. Proponents therefore lift their heads high contending that they believe that the diminishing probability of fossil fuels will make it impossible to use them. They contend that nuclear energy serves as reliable source of energy that can last for billions of years, thus can be sustainable. It is with these that I base my proposal for a reliable nuclear energy increase. The opponents, on the other hand, come out defending strongly their views with arguments on the threats nuclear energy has on people and on environment. These threats range from destruction of the environment due to uranium mining to other health hazards. The possibility of a nuclear proliferation is alone a bit threatening and should be treated with caution. This is so because it will deem the world insecure due to the magnanimity of the matter. The unsolved problem of radioactive nuclear waste also poses a challenge that is detrimental to the environment. Critics in these perspectives do not even believe that all these risks including that of waste can be minimized due to the advancement of a new technology. Progress The fact is that, indeed, the increase in nuclear energy may make a reliable source of energy mean that we can all rely on to fulfill our need of having energy that is environmental friendly. The sources cited above have confirmed that indeed sustainable energy can be achieved. However, much progress is not being observed with this issue bringing controversies and endless debates. The majority of the people either seems not to understand or is ignorant of the fact that nuclear energy is indeed an energy that can bring sustainable development to the global world. This, though, do not underlie the fact that some countries such as China have made big strides in its realization. Research Design and Methods The research carried out was both quantitative and qualitative hence a blend of the two would add more value to its credibility and reliability. With quantitative research, it reflects the literature involved in coming out with empirical evidence while with qualitative research it has statistics from various sources that are cited. Strengths /weaknesses It is undoubted that this project has a lot of strengths that it prides itself with. The idea of a world free of global warming that is caused mainly by the emission of green house gases is refreshing. This acts as the alternative with a major aim in ensuring that energy security is realized to the end. However, with the increase in nuclear energy, countries can sustain themselves and become interdependent; a thing that will see an increased economic growth and more development. Nevertheless, this project faces opponents who are against its increase to levels that are acceptable. The opponents have critics that imply that nuclear energy is too expensive. The problem of waste is still unsolved hence a prospect of looking out for better methods is more applicable. The issue of nuclear accidents has devastated the world and has had numerous health risks for those involved. Critics contend that by the fact that nuclear power does not emit green house gases, emissions of gases would occur due to its replacing and becoming the existing energy source. The weaknesses however make the idea seem evil and one that is to target humans. This, by far, is not true as this form of energy comes with a lot of threats to its existence. Conclusion The proposal of an increase in nuclear energy use to the world at first seems like a bad idea due to its association with proliferation and the threat of a Third World War. The idea of a sustainable energy, on the other hand, seems to captivate many hence there is need to strike a balance between the two. How these can be done is through the funding of nuclear plants so as they can increase their capacity of nuclear energy. The construction of new power plants should also be made possible such that they reach the heights of electricity or other sources that have been supported. However, this has to attract a lot of legislation from various quotas. A need of control arises as its proliferation to the wrong hands will mean that its usage will become a dangerous one. Recommendation I recommend the advancement of increase in the use of nuclear energy. This I suggest to be made through the increase of more power plants in various countries. Research and development concerning the production of nuclear energy should also be taken so as to develop the sector to greater heights. However, insistence on the increasing use of nuclear energy does not imply I advocate for the dropping of regulations. Contrary to this, I recommend more measures from both the international community and the involved stakeholders to take charge and enforce stringent laws. This is not only to avoid proliferation but also, to a large extent, prevent the risk of a war among nations, which may be catastrophic. To this end, caution on who should produce and levels of production to be made should be stated by the responsible parties. Works Cited Bobric Elena et al. ‘Nuclear Power Generation Alternative for A Clean Energy Future’, Health Physics Department, Cernavoda NPP – Romania No. 2, Medgidiei Str. Cernavoda 905200, Romania, Houghton John Theodore. Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. Cambridge University Press. Port Chester, NY, 2004. Print Read More