I recently had a discussion with my parents who were kids during the 70's and early 80's, and generrally if you ever discuss nuclear power with people from this era they have the same opinion (i know maybe not everybody). The opinion im talking about is nuclear power. I gennerally like the idea of harvesting the energy of the atom, and i think there is more upside than downside to nuclear power than we think. First of all nuclear power is actually clean energy as it is all contained waste, meaning that no toxic gas is lead into the atmosphere. The only thing we get is, i will admit, very toxic waste material. These waste materials are often the main point of concern, when nuclear power is discussed. I think the reason for the big concern is the fact that they can be used to create weapons of mass destruction. Which is bad....
But aside from these things we do need a clean energy source that does not ruin our atmosphere entirely! I also think that it is only a matter of time before we are able to send these materials into space. The reason for us not doing it know is because currently rockets are to unreliable, to us putting a ton of nuclear waste on top of thousand liters of fuel. But who knows maybe in a couple of years when the art of rocketry have been perfected, we will send the waste far out in space?
But to return to the main topic... There have indeed been some tragic events that has lead to the loss of human lifes. But i think we need to address the fact that even more people die from pouluting power plants such as coal and oil. Do you want to know how many? 4.6 million people! But because the results of nuclear power accidents are more direct, and well more visible if you will, it seems more dangerous. Also i think (i will put on my tinfoil hat now), the reason for oil and coals consequences not being talked about a lot is because of the money. I know that global warming and the everything that comes with it, is a big topic in the media and politics. But it has come way to late for us having favorable odds, for doing anything about it.
What do you think? Do we need nuclear power?
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