The Beneficial yet Hazardous Nuclear Energy

Nuclear potential energy is the potential energy inside of an atomic nucleus. The nuclear particles are bound together by a strong nuclear force. The uranium found in the nuclear power plant reactor core is used for heating up the water. The uranium is heated and it turns the water into steam which turns the turbine. The turbine then produces electricity. In the world, there are about 443 operating nuclear power plants, accounting for 14 percent of the world’s electricity and 6 percent of the world’s energy.

On March 11 2011, an earthquake and a tsunami caused 3 nuclear reactors in Fukushima, Japan, to be severely damaged, causing world-wide panic and chaos. This was not the first time a nuclear incident has happened and this accident has caused economic, political and biological problems. Many people have died during all of these accidents and even though 25 years has passed since the accident, Chernobyl, Ukraine is still restricted to the public. However, although nuclear power has many disadvantages, it still has its good points. Nuclear energy is still controversial and there is still an ongoing debate about the use of nuclear energy.

Nuclear energy is a sustainable energy source that also reduces carbon emissions. As nuclear power does not involve burning of coal or fossil fuel, no carbon dioxide is produced and released into the air. Only uranium is used in nuclear plants so it is said that nuclear energy is clean. Global warming is starting to become a bigger problem and many countries have already started planning on saving carbon emissions. Nuclear power may be one good way to cut down on carbon emissions.

However, after the fuel rod has been used and there is no more nuclear energy left in it, it cannot be used and must be disposed. However, even though it does not have any nuclear energy left in it, it is still very dangerous and radioactive. These fuel rods must be disposed of properly and carefully or else some of the nuclear radiation would leak out. The United States’ plan of disposing these fuel rods is by burying it under the ground and wait for it to decay off. However, it takes tens of thousands of years for these fuel rods to decay off and the number of fuel rods the United States have used can cover a football field, one metre in depth. This issue is still being debated about and it is very important that scientist find out how to dispose of them quickly.

Reflection

Recently, Singapore is debating on whether it should build a nuclear power plant to provide energy for the country. After the disastrous nuclear accident in Japan, I feel that the answer is quite clear. Singapore is such a small country. Imagine the amount of nuclear radiation the locals would experience. Also, if there were a similar accident in Singapore, the whole country would become a wasteland and all the locals would contact a lot of harmful radiation. Singapore is such a small country compared to Japan, and their country is in ruins now. Imagine what would happen to Singapore. In conclusion, building a nuclear power plant in Singapore is too risky and dangerous.