The Unresolved Controversy Surrounding Nuclear Energy - Essay Example

Nuclear energy is one of the worlds most controversial technologies that are significantly affected by systemic Issues and problems that no real solution is envisioned in the near future (Maurin, 2013). Despite the controversy, nuclear power is still part of the present and everyday part of the energy mix of several Western countries including the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Some other developing countries like India, China, Brazil and South Africa are slowing employing the use of nuclear energy. This is going on despite the real evident doubts over the desirability that accompanies the prominent role played by nuclear power during the Second World War, as well as the terrible disasters in the industrial world. Over the last 60 years, nuclear energy has been the only human-made form of energy that has been both controversial and at the same time widely deployed around the world. Atomic power, therefore, presents an issue that is worth an exploration into the controversies and visions surrounding it.

The United States Energy Information Administration predicts that the consumption of energy around the globe is expected to rise by about 60% for the period between 2010 and 2040 partly because of population increase. Many developed and developing countries have therefore sought the use of certain types of energy that cost the least regarding production and at the same time putting in mind protection of the environment. Since the deployment of nuclear power during World War II, the US government, through a political dimension remained the only relevant thing that governed atomic affairs in the 1950s (Stiglitz, 2011). The general public, mostly through private organizations, started to raise concerns over the safety of nuclear power. The public was concerned about the environmental health hazards involved, the disasters involved in case of a leak, the safety of the people in case atomic power falls into the wrong hands, i.e., people using it to create explosives, among many more (Nalubanga, 2017). The US government however staid firm and remained the dominant actor because it had planned sufficiently for deployment of nuclear energy. The issue is still unsolved because apart of the world still does not agree with the implementation of nuclear power for universal use.

Looking at the whole situation, it would be accurate to say that nuclear energy is the future of the industrial world. Technological advancements have brought about safe ways of handling atomic power in ways that preserve the environment in the best possible manner. Compared to other sources of energy such as oil and coal, nuclear energy is a clean source. It is categorized among hydro-sources and renewable sources that come in handy during cases of energy-related climate changes because of its low CO2 levels. The public should be educated on the new ways that have been invented to handle the safety and waste management during the process of making nuclear energy. Universal legislations should also be put in place to ensure that they incorporate issues such as safe storage of radioactive material, transportation, and disposal. The nuclear industry brings a significant contribution to the economy through job creation primarily in the commercial, engineering and environmental aspects. On the other hand, nuclear energy, once embraced, can contribute substantially or even substitute other energy sources especially in areas that are politically unstable. The world at large should reflect and do a cost-benefit analysis and further invest in this form of energy that is the next big thing in the industrial world.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Maurin, D. (2013, October). The Viability and Desirability of Alternative Energy: Exploring the Controversy over Nuclear Power. (Ph.D. dissertation) Universitat Auto`noma de Barcelona, Spain.

Nalubanga, L. (2017, January 25). Nuclear Energy: Economic benefits & environmental controversy. New Vision.

Stiglitz, J. (2011, April 6). Gambling with the Planet. Project Syndicate.