Nuclear power plants have always been in controversy with two opposite opinions on it. Basically, nuclear fission is the process of splitting an atom in two. Nuclear energy is extracted from uranium, which is a non-renewable resource that must be mined. In every 18 to 24 months, a power plant has to shut down in order to remove its used up uranium fuel, which then goes on to becomes radioactive waste. While one side argues that this endangers the environment the other side says that it is less harmful than fossil fuels.
Here we get you some interesting facts, quotes, viewpoints to handle a
Group Discussion on Nuclear Energy. Also provided is a list of
GD topics on Nuclear Energy.Some facts about Nuclear Energy:
- Nuclear power plants are known to use large quantities of water which they remove from a lake or river. This is bound to affect aquatic life.
- More than 70% of America’s emission-free power comes from nuclear energy sources. 1 in 5 households and business in the US are electrically powered by nuclear energy.
- US power plants produce 2,000 metric tons of radioactive waste every year.
- 20% of the US electricity is provided by nuclear power with over 100 nuclear power plants in operation in the country.
- Worldwide there are over 400 commercial nuclear reactors producing energy for 31 countries.
- While extracting material for production creates wastes, the process of using nuclear energy has no major environmental impact. On the contrary, using fossil fuels lends pollution at every stage of production and use.
- In the entire history of nuclear energy production, there have only been 3 major disasters - Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and Chernobyl. However in the last 25 years, there have been over 10 major disasters with fossil fuel energy.
Group discussion topics on Nuclear Energy, you can expect to see:
1. Nuclear energy versus Fossil fuels.
2. Could nuclear energy be used in a way that would reduce global warming?
3. Disadvantages of nuclear energy are a hoax created to prevent mining.
4. Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.
5. Nuclear energy can help fight climate change.
6. Are nuclear power plants safe from risks of meltdown or explosions?
7. Could nuclear energy be made sustainable in the future?
8. Terrorists taking over nuclear facilities is a disastrous risk.
9. Proliferation of nuclear energy for weapons is not tolerable.
10. Is the usage of nuclear power in UK coming to a dead end?
11. Nuclear deals should be banned with terror-prone nations.
Some quotes that can be used in the Group Discussion on Nuclear Energy:
"Nuclear energy, in terms of an overall safety record, is better than other energy."
- Bill Gates
"The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything except our thinking. Thus, we are drifting toward catastrophe beyond conception. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive."
- Albert Einstein
Pros of Nuclear Energy:
1. Reducing pollution: This is not a hoax created by China and the world needs to act on this immediately to prevent climate change effects.
2. More proficient: It is more proficient than most of the sources of energy that not only create more waste but are also likely to fall back easily.
3. Cost-effective: It is easy on cost which is what the world needs right now.
4. Innovating on its renewability: It can be made renewable if more innovative studies are researches are allowed on it to progress.
Cons of Nuclear Energy:
1. Waste: Mining uranium in large scale and leaving behind radioactive waste is not doing any good to environment or mankind.
2. Risks: Apart from meltdown risks, there is a higher risk of it falling into wrong hand and being used against mankind.
3. Health hazards: All the radioactive wastes pose a serious heath to air and lives.
4. Hidden costs: There are hidden costs of production which is rather kept hidden.
Conclusion:
Nuclear energy could in future be made sustainable and renewable with more innovation.
We hope that this
GD guide on Nuclear Energy is helpful to you in preparing for your entrance exams and placements.
