14th March, 2014
The Disadvantages of The Implementation of Nuclear Power
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Name : |
STELLA ANNE TEOH MING HUI |
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Class : |
K3C |
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School Num. : |
12231 |
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Title : |
THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NUCLEAR |
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Type of Writing : |
Critical Writing |
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Mentor Teacher : |
Ms Mabel Lim |
THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NUCLEAR POWER
What is nuclear? Do you know what nuclear is? Is it even renewable? No, of course not! Would the world be better off without nuclear power? Definitely yes!
Allow me to quote Pierre Schaeffer, “It’s ridiculous that time and time again we need a radioactive cloud coming out of a nuclear power-station to remind us that atomic energy is extremely dangerous.”
I would like to define a few important key terms, and also touch on the first point which is the occurrence of radiation and its effects on humans.
I would like to define the key terms, firstly the term nuclear energy; it is defined from The New World Encyclopaedia as the energy contained in the nucleus, or centre, of an atom. The word implemented means, to imply or to carry out.
It is said that nuclear energy should be implemented because it proves to be a pretty reliable source of energy. I ask you, do you think nuclear energy is much safer than wind or solar generated energy? Yes, solar energy might produce some minor radioactive products but is it more dangerous than a running NUCLEAR POWER PLANT?
Ladies and gentlemen, my first conviction, that health effects caused by leakage of nuclear waste and by-products; also known as radiation. Radiation occurs when unstable nuclei of atoms decay and release particles. There are many different types of radiation. When these particles touch various organic materials such as tissue damage may and probably will be done.
Radiation can cause burns, cancers and death. Radiation can affect humans and cause nausea, serious vomiting, splitting headaches and loss of white blood cells. Does hair loss sound like a recurring issue in your life?
Cancer and hair loss are also side-effects of radiation. Just to get electricity faster and more effectively are you willing to risk your health? And with the birth rate in Malaysia dropping, do you want those precious few pregnant mothers to have embryos in their uterus born with thyroid cancer?
How can you make sure that all those “qualified” people have the guts or experience and instincts to react in a way that can save thousands of lives?
Radiation alone killed 33 fire fighters in the Chernobyl Disaster 9th April 1986 on the very day, that nuclear reactor 4 experienced a core melt-down. Can you actually substantiate your statements of safety guidelines with concrete evidence? The slightest error in communication can be the difference between a complete disaster and a successful safety test.
You might have the most up-to-date nuclear reactors but can all that technology prevent human-made errors? Or errors in the very programming of the base systems that run the power plant? If you can’t achieve total control in the auxiliary department how can you control the entire power plant?
Returning to the point that nuclear energy is a clean source of energy; when you think about the “vast” expanse of land we have, which I mean small, how can we afford to build a power plant environmentally? The only places that aren’t densely populated are Sabah and Sarawak but to build power plants there, one needs to execute deforestation activities, and natural habitats of certain animals and plants will diminish rapidly. Do you want even more flora and fauna to face extinction?
We can’t implement nuclear energy without risking the national security and safety of our nation’s people. Yes, you’re right, one can’t achieve anything without trying first, but do you really want to risks the lives of hundreds and thousands, the legacies left behind by our ancestors just for a minor development in technology?
We needn’t rush into the race of revolution; after all slow and steady wins the race. If we sit back discuss this for a few more years or maybe build good relations with those countries that have already built nuclear power plants so that we will understand more about the nuclear world instead of rushing head-long into something we don’t know.
We as the younger generation, the pioneers of tomorrow and heirs to the rich land of Malaysia, have responsibilities to take measures to ensure the national security and safety of our people, animals, and plants, economic and industrial growth.
Nothing is stronger than a united nation full of hearts as one.
Posted at 8:45 am | Comments (3)