Japan Fukushima Nuclear Accident may not sabotage the world
World Energy Needs on
Technorati
The Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident had affected the course of history of nuclear energy. This accident had shook the world, instilled fear in the general public and had confused politicians,scientists, environmentalists and thinkers.
To scientists and nuclear industry players, nuclear power provides the lowest cost, safest and cleanest source of energy. With the rise in demand of energy it is apparent that the world cannot rely on coal and oil. These sources are very limited. Nuclear energy is available to replace coal and oil when they are finished.
Germany,Swiss,Italy and Austria are phasing out nuclear energy seeking renewables. What is surprising is that Japan itself, despite the fact that it is the one hit by nuclear disaster, rejected the proposal to exit nuclear energy.
UAE and Iran are also in favor of nuclear energy. In Australia, the former chair of Austrialian Nuclear Science and technology organisation, Ziggy Switkowski and Australia federal minister for Resources, Martin Ferguson support nuclear energy. Martin Ferguson had said that Australia's ability to meet its energy needs would not be sabotaged by the Fukushima disaster.
Due to the fact that many countries are reacting differently to the Fukushima disaster, a question arises: Is nuclear really bad? Should the world completely eliminate nuclear energy? The world population is increasing and the energy demand is rising. The global energy demand is projected to increase by 50% by 2030 and more than 80% by 2050. This shows that the world cannot rely on coal, hydroelectric,gas/oil,wind and biomass only for energy. It is worth to compare nuclear energy with other sources of energy.
Coal and oil are major contributors of acid rain and global warming. Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. These gases cause global warming and climate change.This is where nuclear energy has the greatest advantage. It does not release greenhouse gases. This makes nuclear energy environmentally friendly.
Hydroelectric source is very inexpensive but is a limited source since it depends on water elevation. Wind is a good renewable source but is limited to windy areas and it cannot supply energy on a very large scale. Solar energy is clean and environmentally friendly but is limited to sunny areas. It also needs vasts amount of land for small amounts of electrical energy. Compared with all other sources of energy, nuclear energy is the most efficient. Nuclear reactions produce a million times more energy as compared to hydro or wind energy.
Therefore the world should not eliminate nuclear energy but draw lessons from Fukushima Daiichi disaster and strengthen nuclear safety throught each contnent.