Nuclear Energy To Be Utilized And Why

Tu Le

Professor Matlock

English 1301

4 December 2017

Nuclear Energy To Be Utilized and Why

Imagine if global warming and loss of ice are no longer a problem, if severe weather patterns are avoided, if the devastating consequences of climate change are averted and the world stable and controlled of its environmental responsibilities. Most people would assert that it is an impossible thing to do, however, it can also be argued that with current first-rate technology, the goal can undoubtedly be achieved. The rising suggested solution is the replacement of nuclear power as dominating energy source instead of present-day fossil fuels because nuclear supports contemporary lifestyle whilst attaining a sustainable environment.

Since the Industrial

Between 2003 to 2007, the rate of world energy consumption “growth jumped nearly 5%” whereas in between 1970 to 2000, it was only “slightly more than 1%” (Cunningham 427). This development resulted in a dramatic increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide, and heavily impacted the Earth's average temperature, leading to a change in climate pattern that can potentially disrupt living ecosystems, often known as “climate change”. Throughout the 20th century, the majority of research and development on nuclear has also been conducted, mostly because of its important and menacing role in the period of world war time. From the period of 1970 to 1974, “more than 140 nuclear reactors” were planned to be constructed due to the expected oil shortage in the 1900s and the increased efficiency they were to bring (Cunningham 428). However, with that time’s economic downturn along with increasing cost for plants construction, the lack of safe storage for radioactive wastes, and oil peak of the 1970s, nuclear energy has been made unappealing and it has

According to report published in 2010 by OECD and IAEA “Uranium 2009: Resources, Production, and Demand”, the NEI determined resources “are adequate to meet nuclear energy needs for at least the next 100 years” with the current rate of consumption (nei.org “Abundant Supplies of Uranium”). According to the Nuclear Energy Institute in 2017, nuclear energy has the highest functioning capacity among all other conventional energy with the rate of more than 92% compared to 14.7% of oil. To elaborate further, one uranium fuel pellet would produce the same amount of energy as 149 gallons of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, or compared to one ton of coal (nei.org “Electricity