nUCLEAR AS ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF ENERGY: BOON OR BANE?
According to the law of conservation of energy, “Energy cannot be created nor be destroyed but it can be converted from one form to another.” An example of this is the nuclear energy, which is released from the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear energy can produce large amount of energy through fission and fusion and has various pros and cons as well.
Based on reports, the emission of greenhouse gases had reduced for nearly half due to the use of nuclear energy. Compared to other power-generating energies, it does not contribute to carbon emissions and does not produce smoke particles. In such way, pollution can be lessened.
Other than that, nuclear energy is very powerful, efficient and reliable. Nuclear energy can be produced from nuclear power plants even in the cases of rough weather conditions. Unlike the traditional sources of energy, it releases million times more energy. The production of nuclear energy has also low fuel cost that it only requires little amount of uranium. Economically speaking, this energy is very conventional and has certain significant advantages specifically in supplying the electricity throughout the nation. Consequently, many large countries opt to put huge investments in nuclear power.
However, this is only a half truth. Despite of much expediency, the great nuclear energy has also its drawback. Nuclear energy also generates its own nuclear wastes and these wastes can cause tremendous danger not only to people but also to a whole country. The problem with nuclear wastes is that its handling and disposal is difficult to manage and it takes many years to lose its radioactivity. Nuclear plants have also a limited life. Its construction is even costly and once constructed, it has also an expiry date.
There were already nuclear accidents that happened in the past years. Two of the famous accidents are the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. The Three Mile Island accident was the worst accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. It was a partial nuclear meltdown that occurred on March 28, 1979. The accident began due to some failures on the system and inadequate training of operators. Consequently, it resulted in the release of unknown amounts of radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the environment. The cleanup started in August 1979 and ended in December 1993 that cost about $1 billion.
Another catastrophic nuclear accident, the Chernobyl disaster, occurred on April 26, 1986 in Ukraine which caused an explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive particles into the atmosphere, which spread over much of the western USSR and Europe. The disaster raised concerns about nuclear power worldwide. There were radioactive gases released in the atmosphere and 237 people suffered from acute radiation sickness (ARS), of whom 31 died within the first three months based on reports. This marked a huge impact not only to humans but also to the environment as well.
In the Philippines, under the regime of Ferdinand A. Marcos, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built due to country's energy demands and decreasing dependence on imported oil. However, anti-nuclear protests aroused in the late 1970s and 1980s. The succeeding administration of President Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the plant; considerations were taken such as the strong opposition of Bataan residents and Philippine citizens.
Weighing the pros and cons of whether nuclear energy can be an alternative source of energy in our country, I can assert that the construction and operation of these nuclear power plants can only cause havoc. The people cannot bear the risk just to be benefited by such energy source. Yet somehow, perhaps soon enough, we will avail this nuclear energy if our country has already enough resources to operate the Bataan nuclear plant and can assure the people of its safety by having skilled workers and proper equipments to be used.
Based on reports, the emission of greenhouse gases had reduced for nearly half due to the use of nuclear energy. Compared to other power-generating energies, it does not contribute to carbon emissions and does not produce smoke particles. In such way, pollution can be lessened.
Other than that, nuclear energy is very powerful, efficient and reliable. Nuclear energy can be produced from nuclear power plants even in the cases of rough weather conditions. Unlike the traditional sources of energy, it releases million times more energy. The production of nuclear energy has also low fuel cost that it only requires little amount of uranium. Economically speaking, this energy is very conventional and has certain significant advantages specifically in supplying the electricity throughout the nation. Consequently, many large countries opt to put huge investments in nuclear power.
However, this is only a half truth. Despite of much expediency, the great nuclear energy has also its drawback. Nuclear energy also generates its own nuclear wastes and these wastes can cause tremendous danger not only to people but also to a whole country. The problem with nuclear wastes is that its handling and disposal is difficult to manage and it takes many years to lose its radioactivity. Nuclear plants have also a limited life. Its construction is even costly and once constructed, it has also an expiry date.
There were already nuclear accidents that happened in the past years. Two of the famous accidents are the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. The Three Mile Island accident was the worst accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. It was a partial nuclear meltdown that occurred on March 28, 1979. The accident began due to some failures on the system and inadequate training of operators. Consequently, it resulted in the release of unknown amounts of radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the environment. The cleanup started in August 1979 and ended in December 1993 that cost about $1 billion.
Another catastrophic nuclear accident, the Chernobyl disaster, occurred on April 26, 1986 in Ukraine which caused an explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive particles into the atmosphere, which spread over much of the western USSR and Europe. The disaster raised concerns about nuclear power worldwide. There were radioactive gases released in the atmosphere and 237 people suffered from acute radiation sickness (ARS), of whom 31 died within the first three months based on reports. This marked a huge impact not only to humans but also to the environment as well.
In the Philippines, under the regime of Ferdinand A. Marcos, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built due to country's energy demands and decreasing dependence on imported oil. However, anti-nuclear protests aroused in the late 1970s and 1980s. The succeeding administration of President Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the plant; considerations were taken such as the strong opposition of Bataan residents and Philippine citizens.
Weighing the pros and cons of whether nuclear energy can be an alternative source of energy in our country, I can assert that the construction and operation of these nuclear power plants can only cause havoc. The people cannot bear the risk just to be benefited by such energy source. Yet somehow, perhaps soon enough, we will avail this nuclear energy if our country has already enough resources to operate the Bataan nuclear plant and can assure the people of its safety by having skilled workers and proper equipments to be used.