By: Arthur Hall
Submitted: 2010-05-06 11:24:31 | Word Count: 482
Nuclear power has been influencing the modern world in a big way. The impacts are both constructive and destructive. On the one hand nuclear power is used for power generation, running industries, fuelling rockets for expeditions and various other ways benefiting the society. On the other hand its destructive effects have already been experienced in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War.
Million dollar question for you is do we really need the nuclear power? There is no dearth of proponents of nuclear power free world who would instantly come up with the answer in the positive. But think a while about the rising fuel costs, global warming as well as the ever increasing demands from various sectors of the developing world. All these will point in one direction indicating the necessity of nuclear power as one of the potent energy sources for human development.
Authors vary widely in their views but the balance is still tilted in favor of use of the nuclear power as possible energy source. According nuclear physicist like Peter Hodgson, nuclear power is essential for the growth of economy. A more cautious approach is adopted by economists like Dennis Anderson who says that “we should first explore the possibilities of renewable sources and other forms of energy”.
(Source: Do we need nuclear power? – Peter Hodgson and Dennis Anderson – 2001)
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Multiple arguments have been advanced by eminent scientists, economists, and academicians both for and against the use of nuclear power. Both agree that energy is vital for sustenance as well as progress of the society and improving the standard of living and civilization in the world. Even for accomplishing the basic tasks of livelihood like heating or cooking food we require energy. At the same time it will be near impossible making long distance communication or travel without sufficient energy resources at our disposal.
In the past the energy was derived for this world from the traditional sources like coal, wood, and petroleum products alone. To some extent the crop residues and animal dung were also used. They continue to be the major source of energy in many parts of the globe save the developed economies. However, the developing economies are getting fast accustomed to the idea of alternative energy sources since all these traditional resources are satiable. Nearly two billion people are still without access to the alternative or new energy sources. Yet they are gradually getting acquainted with the idea of using such resources. And the largest alternative energy sources are nuclear energy, hydro power and solar energy. Among them again, the hydro power is limited resource but solar and nuclear power have immense potential in meeting all the requirements of the modern civilized society. They do not require to be supplemented by alternative energy sources.
Do not undermine the value of the traditional energy sources. “
