NUCLEAR ENERGY

The discovery of nuclear reactions need not bring about the destruction of mankind any more than the discovery of matches Nuclear energy involves a controlled reaction to split atoms of nuclear fuel, typically uranium or plutonium, creating two new atoms. When accomplished on a reasonable scale, this reaction releases an incredible amount of heat, which can be used to heat water, producing steam and powering steam turbines, which can then be used to produce electricity. (In fact, nuclear energy starts with Albert Einsteinhis classic formula, E = mc^2 actually describes how much energy is released when an atom is split. Its a lot. To put it in perspective, the energy contained in a pound of uranium used for nuclear fuel (i.e., enriched) is equal to roughly one million gallons of gasoline.) However, when most people think of nuclear energy, they recall the 1979 Three Mile Island accident in Pennsylvania, the 2011 disaster in Japan from a 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami, which led to a partial meltdown, or the 1986 tragedy involving a Soviet era RBMK reactor at Chernobyl which resulted in an uncontrollable runaway reaction causing a steam break/explosion. Chernobyl became the worst nuclear power disaster ever to occur and has dramatically impacted the public's perception of nuclear power safety. In fact, fears of repeats of these accidents, safety concerns, disputes over storage of nuclear waste, and a web of government regulations has limited nuclear power plant developments over the past 25 years. Moreover, nuclear power has witnessed a recent renaissance, due to rising demand for energy, fears over greenhouse gas emissions, and rising prices for alternatives natural gas and coal. Nuclear energy is not based on fossil fuels, and therefore emits fewer greenhouse gases than competitors coal and natural gas, even accounting for its lifecycle emissions, which include the costs of constructing the plant, transporting the fuel, etc. Moreover, nuclear energy is not as exposed to price fluctuations in oil and natural gas, since uranium and plutonium are used to fuel nuclear plants India has 17 reactors operating and six under construction, and another 23 reactors are expected to come on line in the next eight years. In 2009 Indian reactor demand for uranium was estimated at about 3 million pounds and is expected to rise to as much as 10 million pounds in 15 years.
 

From 2005 to 2008, the number of people that support the use of nuclear energy in the EU increased from 37% to 44%, while the number of detractors fell from 55% to 45%.[29] 55% of INDIANS believe nuclear power will be an important source of power in the future Some people think that nuclear energy is here to stay and we must learn to live with it. Others say that we should get rid of all nuclear weapons and power plants. Both sides have their cases as there are advantages and disadvantages to nuclear energy. Still others have opinions that fall somewhere in between.

What do you think we should do? After reviewing the pros and cons, it is up to you to formulate your own opinion.