Nuclear power, specifically fission, is a way to produce energy by the splitting of an atom. Heat from the splitting reaction heats water, converting it to steam which then turns turbines and generates electricity.
The fuel needed for nuclear fission is plentiful, the process releases no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the huge amount of energy produced would get rid of the need to use, let alone rely on, fossil fuels. So why isn’t the world going crazy for nuclear power?
Fear. Many people are scared of nuclear power, and it’s easy to understand why.
There are the many health risks associated with prolonged radiation exposure, including cardiovascular disease, cataracts and cancer. The most dangerous form is ionizing radiation, which can damage tissue and DNA. The effect of radiation also extends further than humans, with fear of the environment taking a hit due to a nearby reactor; worries about contaminated water supplies and infertile soil are common talking points. Historically, there have been several nuclear events with horribly negative consequences, including accidents in Fukushima and Chernobyl and the nuclear warfare of bombs dropped in Japan during World War II. There has even been fearmongering in TV shows, beloved cartoons or otherwise. Overall, these reasons have led people to not want anything to do with nuclear power, or at least “not in their back yards”.
This upset over nuclear power is something that I can understand but absolutely cannot endorse. There are far too many benefits to fission and downsides to fossil fuels to even consider it.
Nuclear power isn’t the only dangerous energy source. Without dwelling on the issue to avoid being too morbid, mining has caused the direct deaths of tens of thousands of people in the last century alone, with countless others recieving life-altering injuries. This figure, however, is dwarfed by the millions of excess deaths caused annually due to the usage of fossil fuels. Air pollutants have been shown to have given people heart and lung conditions as well as neurodegenerative disorders.
Environmantally, there are little to no air pollutants associated with nuclear power. Care is taken in the disposal of waste and maintenence prevents leakage of chemicals. Recent research has resulted in the development of waste-water cleaning processes, which is both beneficial for the environment and allows for the reuse of materials. Different adsorbants can isolate the element cesium from water using membrane removal technology, and other cleaning methods make use of semiconductors.
In some heavily-radiated regions like Chernobyl and Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, animal and plant life has been thriving since the initial radiation. There are many different species living in these regions, likely due to the lack of human interference. Radiation inpacts animals and plants differently, as mutations are more common in them. This shows how even in areas too dangerous for humans to live in, not all life is wiped from the place.
Compared to chemical reactions, nuclear fission produces much more energy. A typical plant can produce up to 8 million megawatt hours per year, which is enough to power 2 million homes.
In recent years, polls have shown that the popularity of nuclear power has increased, despite some countries phasing out power stations. Majorities of people deem this source of electricity as reliable and cost effective, and within those surveyed who opposed nuclear power, over half still supported government policy to maintain current stations.
This global growth in trust for nuclear power is a good sign of things to come, for a future where clean, efficient energy production is the norm instead of being seen as scary, disease-causing, poisonous science.
References
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Global-survey-finds-high-public-support-for-nuclea
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