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Essay: Is nuclear energy use the answer to global warming?

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  • Subject area(s): Environmental studies essays
  • Reading time: 4 minutes
  • Price: Free download
  • Published: 15 October 2019*
  • Last Modified: 30 July 2024
  • File format: Text
  • Words: 1,007 (approx)
  • Number of pages: 5 (approx)
  • Tags: Nuclear energy

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Introduction

In contemporary society, global warming is not only an increase in the average temperature, it probably causes changes in the climate, such as increases in heavy rain, rises in sea level and drought. Nuclear energy is considered one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy. The reason being is that is produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. According to Owen (2006, p.195), in 2005, there were 441 nuclear plants in the world, that supplied about 16 percent of the world’s electricity. On the other hand, Australia currently has no facilities generating nuclear energy. Bird et al. (2014, p.645) states that most of Australia’s electricity is provided from the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, and concerns have been raised about the safety of nuclear energy. This fact is a major cause of global warming. In order to prevent global warming, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative energy is important. However, nuclear energy is not effective in preventing global warming. This essay will explain why nuclear energy use in Australia is not the answer to global warming from the perspectives of environment and economy.

Body 1

Nuclear energy can adversely affect humans, animals and plants over a wide area when there is an accident. There was a nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, which was caused by earthquakes and a large tsunami on 11 March 2011. Residents who lived within 20 kilometers of the nuclear power plant were ordered to evacuate by the Japanese government (Yasumura et al., 2013, p.186). Five years have passed since the nuclear power plant accident, but residents are still unable to return to their homes. This means that there are still some environmental problems, such as radioactive material which leads to human health problems.

Moreover, by introducing nuclear energy, there could potentially be problems that could drastically affect Australia. Fortunately, Australia is not prone to major earthquakes. However, there is a possibility that nuclear power accidents could happen not only due to the earthquakes. For instance, there was a nuclear power plant accident in Chernobyl on 26 April 1986, which was caused by design flaws and staff operation errors (Kortov & Ustyantsev, 2013, p.12). This means that the chance of operational errors occurring. To produce nuclear energy, a nuclear plant must be constructed. If the nuclear plant has an accident, it is clear that the effects would be detrimental on humans, animals and plants. According to Roeser (2011, p.200), the probability of a nuclear plant accident is quite low. However, a plant accident could occur, so many people wonder whether nuclear energy is safe. The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident has significantly changed public attitudes toward nuclear energy. As a result, Germany immediately shut down several nuclear reactors (Roeser, 2011, p.197). Therefore, nuclear energy is considered to have an adverse effect on the environment.

Body 2

Furthermore, it takes large amount of money and times in order to construct a nuclear power plant. Firstly, the high construction costs of a nuclear power plant have become an obstacle to the nuclear industry development. In addition, production of nuclear energy is especially high when compared with the production of other sources of energy. Nuclear energy is 20 to 50 percent more expensive compared to coal-fired power (Graaff, 2015). Secondly, if nuclear power plants are constructed, skilled labor trainings are essential. However, there is no nuclear power plant in Australia, so laborers need to travel to other countries which have nuclear power plant to gain some skills. This also takes a large amount of money and times. Moreover, Berthelemy and Rangel (2015, p.118) estimate that the average construction period of the nuclear power plant is 10 years, which is a 3 to 6 years longer than construction period of coal-fired power. Therefore, the government needs to support economically, because constructing nuclear power plant is long term plan and it takes a large amount of money. If thought the only problem of global warming, it would be more useful to promote the development of renewable energy while waiting for construction of nuclear power plant.

Body 3

There are some alternative energy technologies other than nuclear energy which may be more suitable for Australia. Alternative energy is also often called renewable energy, such as solar, wind, wave and tidal energy which providing the Australian energy demand, is the only realistic option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Effendi & Courvisanos, 2012, p.245). The most common technology for utilising solar energy is photovoltaic. Australia has vast land where can construct solar photovoltaic generation and wind farm, which is suitable for solar power and wind power because there are many sunny and windy days in Australia. In addition, Australia is surrounded by the sea, so that it is possible to utilise the wave and tidal power. In this way, renewable energy sources can be used to produce energy over and over. Furthermore, Panwar et al. (2011, p.1514) mentions that renewable energy can possibly provide energy emissions with zero or nearly zero emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gasses. In addition, renewable energy is no risk compared to nuclear energy when an accident occurs. Moreover, fossil fuels such as coal and oil have a depletion problem, whereas renewable energy could supply sustainably. Renewable energy will play an important role in future energy production and could help prevent global warming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this essay has explained why nuclear energy use in Australia is not the answer to global warming. If a nuclear power plant accident has occurred, the world might be faced with a lot of problems, which has significant impact on humans and environments. Furthermore, in order to construct a nuclear power plant, it takes enormous money and time. The government needs to support by economic aspect, because constructing nuclear power plant is long term plan. However, while waiting for the construction of nuclear power plant, global warming might be progressed. In order to prevent global warming, Australia should take advantage of the renewable energy. Thus, nuclear energy might lead to bad aspects such as environment and economy. It is not only the way to prevent global warming because there are some alternative energy technologies. (1032 words).

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