Debate: Nuclear energy

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Is nuclear energy justified and should it be expanded?

[Edit] Background and context Nuclear power is any nuclear technology designed to extract usable energy from atomic nuclei via controlled nuclear reactions. The most common method today is through nuclear fission, though other methods include nuclear fusion and radioactive decay. All current methods involve heating a working fluid such as water, which is then converted into mechanical work for the purpose of generating electricity or propulsion. Today, more than 15% of the world's electricity comes from nuclear power, over 150 nuclear-powered naval vessels have been built, and a few radioisotope rockets have been produced. Some countries in the world currently use nuclear power. However, high construction costs have hindered the development of nuclear power in many countries. Yet, rising concerns regarding global warming and energy prices, however, nuclear energy has seen renewed attention as alternative form of energy. The world energy demand is projected to grow by 50% by 2030. To meet the short-term demand, the use of coal and other fossil fuels will increase. The main question and debate is whether nuclear energy should be included as a major component of 21st century plans to combat global warming and to help us meet the growing energy demand? Many questions frame this debate: Is nuclear power helpful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Can nuclear power scale to become a serious energy replacement to coal electric power (the main source of electricity globally)? Does the construction of nuclear plants contribute to global warming in any significant ways? What about the mining of Uranium, and what general environmental risks might this pose? What concerns surround nuclear waste? Can these concerns be addressed? How long can we expect supplies of Uranium and nuclear energy to last? Centuries? Even if it will run out in the future and is not "renewable", is it still worth pursuing now (particularly in the face of global warming)? Do nuclear plants pose a risk of "melting down", or have modern nuclear plants eliminated the risk of another Chernobyl or Three Mile Island disaster? Are there any radiation risks to local communities and to workers at nuclear plants? What about the threat of terrorist attacks on nuclear plants? What weapons proliferation risks surround nuclear energy? Should this prevent the further development of nuclear energy, particularly if it is believed that nuclear energy is part of the solution to the global warming crisis? See Wikipedia's article on nuclear power for more background.

Contents

1. Is nuclear energy justified and should it be expanded?

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2. Background and context

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3. Climate change: Can nuclear energy help reduce emissions, fight climate change?

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4. Vs. renewables: Can nuclear energy co-exist succesfully with renewables?

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5. Energy needs: Is nuclear needed to meet energy needs after fossil fuels?

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6. Safety/meltdown: Are nuclear plants safe from risk of nuclear meltdown/explosion?

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7. Sustainability: Is nuclear energy sustainable long-term? Is it "renewable"?

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8. Economics: Is nuclear energy economical?

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9. Waste: Can nuclear waste be dealt with adequately?

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10. Energy security: Does nuclear energy improve energy security nationally, internationally?

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11. Terrorist threat: Is the terrorist threat to nuclear facilities non-existent/manageable?

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12. Proliferation: Is the risk of nuclear energy being used for weapons tolerable?

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13. Public opinion: Where does public opinion stand on this issue?

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14. General: General statements in support and against nuclear energy.

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15. Pro/con sources

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