Nuclear Power Technology Essay Example

Introduction

Nuclear power technology makes use of a reactor that produces and controls the energy released from splitting atoms of certain elements such as uranium. Splitting of atoms (fission) releases a lot of energy that can be used for various purposes. In a nuclear power plant, the energy released is used in heating water to generate steam that can run a steam turbine hence producing electrical energy. In this regard, the main principles of nuclear reactor technology are to produce electricity. However, the enormous amount of energy generated has brought numerous controversies across the globe in case it is misused. While proponents of nuclear energy argue that it is clean energy, if mishandled or misused, it can bring massive calamities such as the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during the Second World War. In this regard, critics of advancement of this technology argue that the enormous amount of energy can do more wrong hence entails more risks than benefits. Therefore, nuclear power technology is faced by numerous political implications as well as public opinions that impact its advancement in modern society.

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Political Implications and Influences

Energy has become a very crucial issue in the modern realm of politics. Many governments have increasingly been involved in the management of energy resources especially the consumption and management of oil. Various governments across the globe have sought to advance the progress towards consumption and usage of renewable energy to facilitate energy sustainability (Taylor, 2014). Therefore, nuclear energy has become an important alternative to fossil fuel due to its reliability. However, the dangers of this energy have brought numerous ramifications and policies geared towards ensuring the energy is not misused. Many governments have, therefore, been concerned with the safety and security of nuclear power plants as a threat to terrorism. Besides, they are concerned with the consequences of the prevailing expansion of such plants. Therefore, the licensing of nuclear projects has been under immense scrutiny. For example, the existence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) which is mandated to give licenses has come under public scrutiny due to the possible nuclear accidents (Taylor, 2014). This has made the US government to be involved in each process of the nuclear power plant from construction, choice of site, type of reactors, and the construction process safety.

Security is the major concern around the nuclear power plants across the globe. Nuclear plants have become a tempting target of terrorisms considering that they have a huge potential of contaminating vast sections of the surrounding environment thereby causing long-term illness to the target population. Despite the stringent measures that have been established regarding nuclear testing, the threat of terrorism is quite real. A major global concern is a potential of initiating a meltdown including the theft of the enriched uranium that is suitable for making different nuclear weapons. Since the 9/11 attacks, the plants have become under serious scrutiny and have been criticized for weak security measures. Additionally, the production of nuclear weapons by countries has brought serious political concerns globally. A recent example is North Korea which has stated its efforts in making nuclear weapons contrary to the global agreement. In this regard, nuclear power production has been linked to nuclear weapon production which is a global security threat. Nuclear power plants produce plutonium as one of the by-products which can be used to make nuclear weapons. Some countries like France have made use of their nuclear power programs as a springboard towards the creation of nuclear weapons hence raising global temperatures. Most notably, the activities in North Korea and Iraq have shown nuclear power programs can be used as a roadmap to nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

Nuclear power technology is also associated with numerous dangers such as unscheduled discharges of radiation, catastrophic releases of fuel and waste materials, deliberate release of radioactive materials, as well as undesirable political measures in coping with the hazards. For example, the disposal of waste materials from nuclear power plants including worn-out reactors has remained an unsolved issue. According to Waltar (2000), the annual waste expected from an average reactor is about a thousand more than the reactivity of the Hiroshima bomb. Despite such glaring threats, disposal and management has remained a puzzle and could soon become a catastrophe. In this regard, the risks outlined suggest that major developments of nuclear power are irrational if the consideration was humanity welfare. Therefore, there is huge uncertainty in the development of these projects which has brought massive concern globally especially on the foundation of capitalist nuclear projects.

Public Opinion on Nuclear Power Technology

Public attitudes towards nuclear power have become increasingly negative in the last few decades. According to Bisconti (2016), more than 50% of Americans oppose the further construction of nuclear power plants. There is undoubtedly a plethora of factors that are involved in influencing public opinion regarding major scientific endeavors throughout the world. According to Bisconti (2016), media has been a major force in the Western world of the influence of public opinion. Media has been involved in reporting various projects, risks, and dangers that nuclear power poses in different parts of the world. Besides, media has depicted the prevailing dangers and threats of global security due to some actions of various countries globally. Considering that most technical people concur that media presents all facts fairly as well as adequately, then media is seen as a humanitarian servant in society.

Health concerns have been significant in forming the public opinion towards nuclear energy. Fear of radiation due to the dangers they pose has been critical in decision making. In this regard, scientific researchers have preceded in assessing effects of human health on ionization radiation associated with nuclear power. People are majorly concerned with this factor since even tiny amounts of such radiations, they can be deleterious to human health. Therefore, the media and the public should not be criticized for their concern regarding the negative health effects of this power. Safety has also formed a key component of publics' global concern. For example, Three-Mile Island and the Chernobyl accident undoubtedly painted a very negative image of the technology. The gravity of the accidents is a major global concern especially with the public being critical towards their safety. Such risks coupled with waste disposition concerns have brought public concern especially after publicity of calamities and threats by the media.

Other groups in the society such as advocacy groups and business communities have played a significant role in influencing the public opinion on nuclear power technology. For example, America has seen the formation of different advocacy groups which support the advancement of nuclear technology. As noted by Roberts (1976), most of the advocacy groups that support nuclear technology entail professional and trade associations. For example, groups like the American Nuclear Society and the Atomic Industrial Forum include the advocacy of nuclear power as well as other issues. Although these groups have been more committed to their beliefs, the public opinion has significantly influenced their decisions. Besides, the public opinion about nuclear power has contributed to vast policies that have an impact on the licensing and operation of a plant. In this regard, such attitudes have brought numerous ramifications in the global society and hence entail the future of this energy.

Conclusion

The major public and political issues that surround nuclear power development have been a continuous topic around the world. Considering the threats that nuclear energy poses to the society, the decisions on whether to advance nuclear power plants will significantly be influenced by various groups of people and national and international policies. Such decisions will, thus, be informed by the threats of terrorism and the possible manufacture of nuclear weapons. Media and advocacy groups have facilitated the development of the current public opinion about nuclear energy globally. As noted in the research, public opinion is mainly informed by the issue of safety. People are mainly concerned about the possible occurrence of a catastrophic event that can have far-reaching ramifications. In this regard, governments both local and state have an important role in making desired policies that can regulate the development of nuclear plants. Besides, the analysis shows that nuclear plants pose numerous risks to the public thereby necessitating tight regulations to protect the public for impending dangers. Various forums must be held to create awareness and prevent bias in the media and other agents of disseminating information to the public. Therefore, the international community and governance have a vital role in facilitating the safe development of nuclear power technology.

References

Waltar, A. (2000). Socio-political factors influencing the expansion of nuclear power. Texas University Department of Nuclear Engineering, 84-90.

Bisconti, A. (2016). Public opinion on nuclear energy, what influences it. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 1-2.

Muller, W. C., & Thurner, P. W. (2017). The politics of nuclear energy in Western Europe. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Roberts, A. (1976). The politics of nuclear power. New South Wales University, 1-90.

Taylor, J. (2014). Nuclear power and politics. Jen'Sci, 1-3.