Why Is Nuclear Energy Important

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Nuclear Power: A Ticking Time Bomb

Nuclear energy is currently one of the major energy sources in the world right now. It is the world’s third most utilized fuel currently, only behind fossil fuels and hydroelectricity (“Nuclear Power Today”). However, it also has the highest disaster potential out of all the energy sources currently in use. This was made evident by the fallout of the triple meltdown at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan (“Nuclear Exodus”). This has led to the resurfacing of arguments and demands of environmental organizations, such as Greenpeace, to stop nuclear power in its entirety.

Greenpeace, “is a non-governmental, independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve
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The safety of nuclear energy is a topic, which has been discussed at various levels ever since the beginning of the incorporation of nuclear energy. However, since the beginning of its inception, the nuclear industry has always been protected by the governments of the respective nations (“Fukushima Fallout”). The Chernobyl Nuclear [in 1986] accident is one of the most famous nuclear disasters the world knows about. The fact that the actual death toll of the Chernobyl disaster was covered up by the respective authorities is something which serves to emphasize that fact (“Nuclear Exodus”).

Between Chernobyl and Fukushima, this topic and its arguments had been happening in the background, even during the relative disaster free period from 1990s to 2011. However, they have resurfaced in the wake of the recent nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan. As with all such calamities, it was not restricted to just one area of the world. People across the world were affected by it in one way or the other. If not directly, like the people living in Japan, then indirectly due to the fallout to the families and to the businesses. This brings to notice the extent of damage that can occur both on the domestic and economic front. Japan, a global power, was nearly cut down in half because of the incident
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In the past, there have been many protests and demonstrations against nuclear energy. However, none have managed to get the attention of the world as a whole. It could be attributed to the fact that not enough pressure has been put on the governments yet. The percentage of uninformed public remains high, something which an engaged stakeholder may change. One of the best ways one can be involved, is by getting involved with their choice of NGO’s or other organizations and working towards making a better tomorrow. This can be done by putting pressure on the governments, in order for them to also start realizing the problem. One of the most important things that can be done by a newly-engaged stakeholder is to spread awareness regarding this topic to others too, and to vote for legislation that would restrict or limit the growth of nuclear energy as an energy source. This will hopefully lead to more people joining hands in the fight against nuclear energy and thus would pressure their governments into acting on the

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