USING NUCLEAR ENERGY SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR THE SAKE OF ENVIROMENTAL SAFETY

Nuclear energy is commonly offered as an alternative to overcome the crisis of energy. The debate whether the use of nuclear energy is appropriate choice has not come to an end. Some people agree with the utilization of it because of its benefits. Some other, however, disagree because of its risks environment. For the sake of the environmental safety, nuclear energy should be avoided.

Those who agree with the operation of nuclear reactors usually argue that the energy produced from them can be used for multipurpose. The reactors can produce radioisotopes utilized in medical, industrial, and agricultural field. They also claim that the nuclear energy is the only feasible choice to answer the ever-increasing energy needs. According to them, the other sources of energy: oil, coal, and liquid natural gas are not renewable and safe, while nuclear energy can be sustain ably produced in a safe way.

Some government officials also point out that this kind of energy is the safest one in response to environment compared to the non-renewable ones mentioned above. They claim that the reactor operates on a “zero-release” basis, which means that waste materials are processed so that none will be released into the environment. In addition, they believe, nuclear energy will never cause pollutions, but the other, especially oil and coal, really do.

However, people disagreeing with the use of nuclear energy, on the other hand, keep criticizing that to choose it as the best alternative to overcome the growing energy needs is silly. The silliness can be seen from the question why they are interested in nuclear power when there is still and abundance of natural energy sources: oil, coal, hydroelectric, thermal, etc.

In reaction to environment, they add that the operation of the nuclear reactors does not make any sense. Some NGOs specializing in efforts to save environment argue that their waste products completely destroy environment and human lives. On the other hand, it is true that the other kinds or energy like oil and coal support the environmental pollution, but their contributions can still be tolerated. It is also true that the nuclear reactors provide energy in great quantities, but their contributions to destroy environment and lived cannot be avoided. A meltdown in a reactor, for example, results in a contamination of soil and water under its core, making human lives impossible for miles around. The reactor is also dangerous to lives because of its radiation leaking. In this case, it is often said that under a good control no fission products are allowed to leak out from the reactor. But who can guarantee this?

It is obvious that nuclear energy should be avoided because it endangers environment. If we continue using it, while the radiation is very poorly controlled, then it will kill ourseives sooner or later. The government should pay much attention to the fact and revise the choise.