Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power Essay Example for Free

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power Essay The release and development of the enormous energy potential locked in the atomic nucleus signified a key revolution in scientific research in the 20th century. With great potential and optimism of developing a pollution free unlimited supply of energy, nuclear technology was ushered into the 21st century where it has become embroiled in unending debates. Nuclear power is a clean source of energy, the raw material is sustainable and the magnitude of power output is extremely large and efficient. Opponents have been quick to recount the costs of initial investment, the risks and safety loopholes and the more fearsome proliferation of nuclear weapons as the major detriments to exploitation of nuclear energy. This paper offers a succinct and informed analysis on the cons and pros of nuclear power exploitation and the potentialities that exist in the future exploitation of nuclear power. With genuine interest and adherence to rigorous and stringent constraints, safety in design and construction and global informed decision making, the setbacks to nuclear exploitation can be effectively ameliorated. In classical thermodynamics, energy is the capacity or ability to do work. Practically, energy is the major driving force of development in post modern civilizations. Energy is the main ingredient to economic, social and political prosperity. Gradual increases in demands of energy for production purposes has put a strain on non renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels; the most predominant sources of energy(Richardson, 1996). Decreases in oil, natural gas and coal reserves have prompted a paradigm shift to other forms of energy such as wind energy, solar energy and nuclear power to help replenish energy shortages as well as create a reserve for growing industrial energy demand(Nersesian, 2007). Increasing global energy demands and environmental pollution coupled with the prospect of declining and eventual depletion of non renewable energy resources is the sustainable incentive towards to exploitation of a clean, more efficient and sustainable energy solution to meet the global demand. Even though solar energy and wind energy present a cleaner more sustainable energy option, the magnitude of global energy demand can only be offset by nuclear power production(Conant, 1979). In simple terms it takes a certain amount of energy to make another form of energy. Combustion of oil produces a certain amount of energy that is much higher than when coal undergoes combustion. Nuclear energy consumes the least amount of fuel energy to release a huge out put of electricity(Nersesian, 2007). This makes nuclear power the most cost effective form of power production and it does not contribute to environmental pollution so long as the nuclear waste is disposed off according to compliance standards, the risk of radiative exposure is reduces through installation of security measures(Dell et al, 2004). In this era of climate change and global warming, nuclear power; a green energy source is a godsend necessary to limit and considerably reduce the release of green house gases and other toxic elements into the atmosphere and the ozone layer. In 1977, the Kyoto Protocol negotiated by the Framework Convention on Climate Change(FCCC) agreed in principle to institute steps aimed at the reduction of green house gases. The center piece of such a resolution undoubtedly rested on the transformation from non renewable sources of energy to renewable sources of energy. Only fission, wind solar, decarbonized fossil fuels, wind and biomass have the capacity to provide a steady supply of carbon free energy. To a large extent only fission energy is commercially feasible and cost effective, the other have significant economic and technical handicaps. Nuclear energy remains the only viable option that can be fully exploited to reduce green house gas emissions to near minimum emissions while maintaining a reliable and consistent supply of carbon free electric energy supply to meet the world energy demand(B. van der Zwaan et al, 1999). Apart from the initial capital investments involved in construction, monitoring, insurance and decommission, nuclear power production is relatively inexpensive. Uranium; the raw material in nuclear reactors is less expensive than any form of fossil fuel. Because subsequent production costs are reduced, nuclear power is a less expensive source of electricity. The magnitude of energy produced makes it more reliable and consistent energy source. Other sources of renewable energy supply are so limited as to be of very little economic benefit. For this reason countries are extending the lifespan of older nuclear reactors while constructing new ones. This has led to a progressive reduction in the costs incurred in nuclear energy production. There are more specific reasons that attest to this trend. Countries have succeeded in developing and adopting a more superior choice of nuclear technology, efficiency in construction and operation management, low costs of decommissioning in the United States and Western Europe have ensured that green technologies like nuclear power become the future global energy solution(Griffin, 2003). Despite being one of the most efficient energy production technology, nuclear power production is plagued by a myriad of issues. Some of these issues are ,specific in nature but a majority are basically non specific and are manly driven by lack of adequate technical and scientific know how or even fear . Specific issues revolve around licensing regulations and safety. Safety concerns are ideally resolvable and include fatigue of the piping system in much older plants, fire protection system, issues that concern the degradation of the reactor pressure vessel as a result of neutron irradiation. Those opposed to the building of more nuclear power plants advocate for an uprating of the power output of those plants that are currently in operation(Angelo, 2004). Global terrorism is putting more strain on the regulation of nuclear production for fear of proliferation of nuclear weapons in unstable states and the acquisition of nuclear production knowledge by extremists , fundamentalists and terrorists or suicidal fanaticism(B. van der Zwaan et al, 1999). However, such fears are obviated by the defense in depth philosophy employed in the design and construction of nuclear power production facilities. Nuclear plants are primarily designed to protect the public from radiation exposure. For terrorists to attack such plants then it would mean that their primary aim is not to cause mass civilian deaths but sabotage the power production. Moreover, these facilities have a vehicle barrier systems designed to deter against truck bombs. Advanced security systems cordon off restricted areas from any form of intrusion or unauthorized entry. Nuclear facilities are immune and more resistant to aerial attacks than any other civilian security or energy installation. After the September 11 attacks, the United States government installed additional protection measures and carried out studies to determine the extent of damage to a nuclear plant should it be struck by a large aircraft as in the World Trade Center attacks. Results affirmed that no considerable damage was envisioned because such an explosion would not be able to penetrate and affect the nuclear fuel or even penetrate into the nuclear facility to cause any radiation release(Angelo, 2004; US National Energy Council, 2003). Nuclear accidents and safety issues have remained to be the most pressing, highly visible issues because accidents generally release nuclear radiations that affect the general public. Nuclear facilities are required to completely prevent radioactive release into the environment. Fear of potential exposure to radiations is still being propelled by two notable nuclear reactor accidents. In 1979, the Mile Island accident in the United States caused severe destruction to the facility although no external human or environmental health was recorded. This was only possible because the reactor had installed a safety containment vessel. In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine accident caused disastrous human and environmental effects. Lack of a safety containment vessel, glaring human errors and poor reactor design was to blame for the extent of the destruction. 31 employees and emergency response personnel lost their lives from acute radiation sickness. The environmental consequences were spread throughout the Soviet Union. Effects were also felt in parts of Europe and even across vast regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Angelo, 2004). The facts behind the detrimental effects caused by the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accidents pointed to gross design and operational defects(Evans, 1984). Such defects are not applicable to modern nuclear reactors that undergo rigorous and stringent compliance tests but the Chernobyl accident still drives popular misconceptions that emanate from nuclear neurosis or radiation phobia as some psychologists prefer to refer to the misconception syndrome. However, issues about nuclear safety should not be stashed aside and the status quo in safety left to reign. Safety in nuclear energy production should be a continuous improvement exercise because radiologic accidents inflict profound psychosocial impacts along and across the societal strata. Emergency response and evacuation mechanisms are a prerequisite to any operating reactor plant. The trends of evacuation and health care assistance in the aftermath of a reactor accident is a determinant of the level of psychosocial impacts that will manifest in the society long after the accident. Disorderly evacuation, panic driven movements by the surrounding community and general public panic stimulate unwarranted societal anxiety. It is these impacts that tend to propagate indecision on the level of safety a nuclear plant can attain(Foreman, 1970). Economically, nuclear energy production costs are comparatively lower when compared with other sources of energy. However, initial investment capital is enormous(Kursunoglu et al, 2000). The costs incurred in construction, monitoring, insurance and decommission are extremely high hence creating opposition to investments in nuclear power(Domenici, 2007). Because the efficiency of nuclear energy is not under any doubts, a broad based strategy program is essential to ameliorate the concerns about initial cost of investments, risks involved in energy production, waste disposal problems and the fear of proliferation of nuclear weapons. Conclusion Recent developments in the nuclear technology and the continuing threat of nuclear warfare has stimulated fresh intellectual debates on the benefits of nuclear technology to the existence of mankind. Even when used for civilian production of energy, nuclear technology conjures up a real threat to world peace the oldest wish for humanity since the onset of human civilization. Nuclear power is the most potent force for human annihilation and it gets even more scary when such a tool is placed is accessible for suicidal fanaticism. When used unwisely, it may prove to be a deadly weapon that is capable of trashing human civilizations and making real the undying fear of nuclear apocalypse. Regional nuclear warfare and nuclear nuclear terrorism can only be forestalled or completely eliminated when humanity works together for a common purpose that is beneficial to each and every head on the surface of this earth. Human beings have an innate responsibility to do all in their power as human beings to use nuclear technology to advance the cause of modern civilization in power generation, medicine, agriculture, research, industrial applications and space exploration. Nuclear power should be harnessed properly with the genuine cause of building a sustainable planetary civilization that spans beyond the ends of the earth into the uncharted territories of the solar system. Rigorous and stringent constraints, safety in design and construction and a global informed decision making is a prerequisite to nuclear power exploitation. References Angelo, A. Joseph. (2004). Nuclear Technology. p. 439-443 B. van der Zwaan. , Hill, C. R. , Mechelyncj, A. L. , Ripka, G. (Eds). (1999). Nuclear Energy: Promise or Peril? Conant, Melvin. (1979). Access to Energy: 2000 and After. p. 85 Dell, Ronald. , Anthony, David. , Rand, James. (2004). Clean Energy. RSC Clean Technology Monographs. p. 68-76 Domenici, P. V. (2007). A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy. p. 4 Evans, Nigel, Hope, Chris. (1984). Nuclear Power: Futures, Costs and Benefits. p. 8, 151 Foreman, Harry. (1970). Nuclear Power and the Public. p. 209 Griffin, James, M. (2003). Global Climate Change: The Science, Economics and Politics. p. 237 Kursunoglu, Behram, Stephan L. Mintz, Arnold Perlmutter. (2000). The Challenges to Nuclear Power in the Twenty-first Century. p. 94 Nersesian, L. Roy. (2007). Energy in the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide to Conventional and Alternative Sources. p. 15-26 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power. http://www. greenenergyhelpfiles. com/articles/20. htm Richardson, Mervyn. (1996). Risk Reduction: Chemicals and Energy Into the 21st Century. p. 234-246 United States National Council of Energy. (2003). Energy and Transportation: Challenges for the Chemical Sciences in the 21st Century. p. 49. National Research Council (U. S. ). Organizing Committee for the Workshop on Energy and Transportation, National Research Council (U. S. ), National Research Council

Smith, the amount of Smith it takes to become a Smith :: essays research papers

SOCIALSECURITY.COM The web site for social security and retirement information. The purpose of this site is to provide up to date social security and retirement information and how to get answers to your questions. This website is a private web site and is not associated, authorized, affiliated with, or sponsored by any goverment, nor do we claim to be. Official worldwide government links for social security can be found on our questions and answers category located on the socialsecurity.com home page. If you have any ideas for enhancing this site or if you have any information you would like posted, please email us at webmaster@socialsecurity.com Please choose ONE of the following links: 1 -To receive the Social Security Benefits Handbook click here. This comprehensive guide answers many of the questions individuals seek regarding social security benefits. Easy to read. Highly informative. If you are looking to maximize your benefits, get everything you deserve and minimize the red tape, then this book is a must. Ordering is handled through Amazon.com at a substantially discounted price. After ordering please use you browsers back button to return to this page and then click the Socialsecurity.com home page link. 2 - FREE HEALTH or LIFE INSURANCE QUOTES. It's Absolutely FREE for all SocialSecurity.com users. You can even get FREE QUOTES for AUTO INSURANCE. You may get quotes for all your insurance needs. No obligation whatsoever to purchase. 3 -Go to Socialsecurity.com home page. You can use your browsers back button to return here from any linked sites. REMEMBER TO BOOKMARK THIS PAGE e-stablished 3/16/98. Disclaimer DISCLAIMER This web site is designed to provide information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that the publisher of this information is not engaged in rendering legal, or other professional services. The publisher is not responsible for any misrepresentations or errors regarding information listed here or on any linked sites. All information provided is for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for the reliance on this information. If legal advice or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

The Firestone Tire Controversy

In May 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States issued a letter to the Ford Motor Co. and Firestone Inc. asking for information about the high incidence of tire failures on the Ford Explorer Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). During July, Ford analyzed the data on tire failures. The analysis revealed that Firestone Radial 15 inch ATX and ATX II tires produced in North America and Wilderness AT tires produced at Decatur, Illinois Plant had very high failure rates with the treads peeling off.When the tires failed, the vehicle often rolled over and killed the occupants. Firestone amid concerns over tread separation, accidents, injury and death announced a voluntary recall of all Radial ATX and ATX II and Wilderness AT tires. Around 6. 5 million tires were recalled. These tires were original equipment on certain Ford Explorer SUVs, Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Ranger pick up trucks and Mazda Navajo and B-series pick up trucks. The Firestone tire reca ll was perhaps the biggest auto safety crisis in the US history.NHTSA put the death figure in February 2001 at 174 which has risen from 101 deaths reported in September 2000. However, analysts felt that there were as many as 250 deaths and more than 3000 injuries associated with the defective tires. Most of the deaths occurred in accidents involving the Ford Explorer and the victims and their families filed hundreds of lawsuits. In May 2001, Firestone announced that it was severing its ties with Ford and alleged that the problems in the Ford Explorer caused 174 deaths.Firestone alleged that Ford was trying to divert attention from the problems with Explorer. Ford and Firestone seemed to have known about the flaws in the tires for almost a year prior to the recall but it wasn't until NHTSA launched a preliminary investigation that Firestone announced a voluntary recall. Questions were raised about how Ford and Firestone responded to the first evidence of tire problems. Ford officials said that the issue first surfaced in Saudi Arabia, where drivers were prone to deflate their tires for better traction while driving in the desert sand.When they returned to hard pavement, they failed to reinflate the tires and the combination of low pressure and extreme climate led to tire disintegration. Ford replaced the tires on some 45,000 vehicles in the Middle East and in several other countries with extreme temperatures. NHTSA officials felt that Explorers were too heavy for the 15-inch tires. However, there was no definitive evidence to indicate that Ford's design specification for Explorer's tires was to blame.A lawyer representing some of the victims said, â€Å"There are a lot of smoke and mirrors going on, Ford can say it's Firestone's fault, and Firestone can say it's Ford's fault. â€Å"5 John Lampe, Executive vice president, Firestone, said that Firestone would replace any tires found to be unsafe. Susan Sizemore, public relations manager at Bridgestone's US head quarters in Nashville said, â€Å"This is not a recall. It's a customer satisfaction initiative. If necessary, we are replacing those tires with either our tires or a competitor's. Firestone alleged that Ford Explorer without Firestone tires were still experiencing rollover problems. Officials conceded that some of the Firestone tires involved in the recall were apparently world class tires and did not appear to have safety problems but said the tires needed to be included in the recall because of loss of customer confidence in the Firestone tires. The committee investigating the case after hearing from both sides said that there was a need for further analysis by an independent source such as NHTSA about both the Explorer and the tires.In 2001, Firestone announced that it would shut down one of its US plants, which could be its Decatur, Illinois, plant by no later than December 31, 2001. This would eliminate some 1, 500 jobs. Bridgestone recorded a net loss of $ 250. 3 million for the first half of 2001 because of the tire recall. In the first half of 2000, Bridgestone recorded a net profit of 18. 90 billion yen. An extraordinary loss of $ 570 million taken by Firestone in June 2001 to pay lawsuits and clear up other costs related to the tire recall was the main reason behind the loss.Company sourced said that they would try to revive their North American operations by shifting focus to the Bridgestone brand. Shigeo Watanabe, president of Bridgestone said, â€Å"I don't think the Firestone brand will disappear, but the Bridgestone brand will grow. † The recall of 6. 5 million Firestone tires on the Ford Explorer in August 2000 cost Ford about $ 500 million. Explorer sales had plunged 21% in 2001. The company's earnings were expected to sink by 65% in 2001. Ford's share of the US automobile market had fallen by 1. 7 percentage points in 2001 to 23. 1%.Officials at Ford felt that the future of Ford (Explorer) would depend on how customers responded to F ord's reaction to the crisis. One official said, â€Å"My message to consumers is, if you don't think we have behaved in the way the world's leading consumer company should behave, then tell us, because we want to earn that loyalty and respect. â€Å"7 Commenting on Ford's future relationship with Firestone, that official said, â€Å"Given the importance of the relationship between tires and vehicle safety, and the importance of brand perception, how can you put Firestone tires on the new Explorer that comes out next year? â€Å"

Isjf Personality - 1369 Words

[ENFP] [INFP] [ENFJ] [INFJ] [ESTJ] [ISTJ] [ESFJ] [ISFJ] [ENTP] [INTP] [ENTJ] [INTJ] [ESTP] [ISTP] [ESFP] [ISFP] Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging by Marina Margaret Heiss Profile: ISFJ Revision: 3.1 Date of Revision: 20 Aug 2007 ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their need to be needed. In extreme cases, this need is so strong that standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life. (Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of service is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political controversy;†¦show more content†¦One ISFJ trait that is easily misunderstood by those who haven t known them long is that they are often unable to either hide or articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ child may be reproved for sulking, the actual cause of which is a combination of physical illness plus misguided good manners. An adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of temper over the ISFJ s unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to explain about a death in the family they didn t want to burden anyone with. Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the warning signs in these situations and take the initiative themselves to uncover the problem. Functional Analysis by Joe Butt Introverted Sensing As for ISTJs, the dominant Si is oriented toward the world of forms, essences, generics. Again, for both of the IS_J types, the sense of propriety comes from the clear definition of these internal forms. ... A proper chair has four legs, etc. (Jung saw IS as something of an oxymoron: sensing, which is a perceiving function, focused inward and thus away from that which is perceived (the object). In this light, he described this sensing as something removed from reality, full of archetypes/mythical figures/hobgoblins; sensing of one s own set of forms.) Extraverted Feeling A kind of regression toward theShow MoreRelatedEvaluation Of The Mbti Test895 Words   |  4 PagesTo better understand my own characteristics, I choose to take the MBTI test. MBTI stands for Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, which is a self-report survey that shows participants’ personalities and characteristics (Wikipedia). The result indicates that I belong to the ISFJ category, which means I am an introverted, observant, more feeling and judging, and turbulent person. From my recognition of myself, I think this test result is fair enough. I am detail-oriented, introverted, sensitive but patientRead MorePersonality Traits Of An Individual1314 Words   |  6 PagesIt is very important to understand the personality traits of individuals within an organization. Understanding the personality of an individual can help managers better understand the actions and decisions people make within a company. Therefore, personality test should be considered to gain a better understan ding of the thinking of people within an organization. The Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment is a good test to take to learn about the personality traits and thinking of individuals. Based