Is nuclear power the answer to our energy needs?

Question

Is nuclear power the answer to our energy needs?

Answer 1

It's AN answer.

Answer 2

NOO .. there is also natural energy!! like wind  !!

Answer 3

No, conservation is.

Answer 4

I don't think so. The question of nuclear waste and where to dump it safely bothers me too much.

Answer 5

Its looking more likely, thats not saying its the answer. What are the alternatives and at what cost?

Answer 6

An interesting question but it is not a straight as forward as you think and there are hidden agendas in all fuel types and their future. Oil is power and the powers that have it or control it are reluctant to let go. All sustainable forms of fuel could be viable if research was allowed to flourish and financed to provide an economic and green solution. This research has been suppressed over the years to suck the massive profits and power that comes with controlling oil for as long as is possible. I think you will find in generations to come that the world has not come to a crashing halt with the greenhouse effect. We humans, even though appearing stupid at times will allow sustainable fuels to flourish and perhaps when the power slips from oil the producing countries, we may also inherit a more peaceful and stable world in which to live. Forgive my profound words this morning but I truly believe that a new and more peaceful dawn awaits  . . . . it's just taking a little longer than we all would wish.

Answer 7

No, nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide but its extraction does, also the resource is actually finite, furthermore it produces a lot of waste which can not be disposed of in our lifetime. To further reduce the argument that nuclear power is the answer i will put forward the argument that some countries may wish to use nuclear energy for less than reputable means: IE warfare.

Answer 8

In the wrong and it's the most dangerous thing in existence. I think we should be concentrating more on wind power, solar energy,  and water propulsion it's free and hopefully will always be around. Take today for instance it is so windy if I had solar panels and a wind turbine it would more than pay to power everything I'm running with alot left to spare to sell back to the energy companies or I could store it in batteries for my own use later..  So I don't think nuclear energy is right.

Answer 9

a nuclear reactor has a power of 900MW to 1.3GW

no other source of energy (except gas or oil) can deliver such power for the time being.

Answer 10

Yes.  A typical nuclear plant puts out 1,000 megawatts of electricity, compared to 14 megawatts for a typical wind generator.  They use them all over the world safely without releasing radiation, especially in France, who wisely recycles spent rods back into more fuel.

Storage technology is firnly established and the alleged terrorist threat is moot considering what Iran and North Korea are already doing.

Answer 11

Robert L has given a sensible answer, pointing out that there are many nations that we would rather not see with nuclear power (because they could then develop bombs).  Then there is the terrorism threat and the likelihood of accidents.

I would like to point out another problem; uranium (the fuel for nuclear reactors) is just another fossil fuel that will become much more expensive as it runs out (quite soon).  The answer to our energy needs must be a sustainable one; not one that runs out.

What is sustainable in this context?  Obviously not fossil fuels whether carbon or nuclear.  Not bio-fuel crops because we need the land for food crops and trees.  Sustainable power has to be a mixture of wind, wave, tide, geothermal, hydro and solar combined with means of power storage.  These all need to be developed urgently alongside conservation and the conversion of waste materials into energy (bio-digesters and combined heat and power incinerators).

The good news is that the solution to our energy problem is not difficult (it is not rocket science!!!).  It just needs political will.  And we can send a signal to the politicians by economising in our use of energy and switching to sustainable sources whenever we get the chance, even if it is slightly more expensive at present.  The cost of fossil fuels is rising rapidly and so solar panels etc will soon start to repay your investment.  A simpler lifestyle (walking, pedalling, using public transport and not buying stuff just to keep up with the neighbours) is more fun and healthier and indicates to politicians that there are votes to be had in adopting sensible sustainable policies.

Best wishes for a sustainable future.

Answer 12

Yes we cannot keep importing tons of Oil to burn in our power stations we need to start producing our own energy and not be so reliant on the oil producing nations.

Answer 13

Definitely not; we don't have a safe way of  disposing of nuclear waste, and radiation leaks cause frightful health problems for those living close to nuclear power stations. In dysfunctional Britain I doubt the ability exists to build and maintain nuclear power stations properly. It is a miracle we haven't had a Chernobyl type explosion here, or perhaps we have and we've not been told.

Answer 14

h**l No!

Global warming and oil depletion are global problems. If you think nuclear power is the solution, you have to see it as a global solution. So are you happy for every country in the world to have nuclear power? Think carefully before answering.

Apart from the political problem, there is a serious safety problem if nuclear power beomes global. Exponents of nuclear power claim that the reliability of nuclear power stations (i.e. the best practice US built ones) is such that we should only expect a major nuclear accident once every 10,000 years. Sounds good doesn't it. But if nuclear power becomes global, that equates to a major nuclear incident somewhere in the world once every two year! The problem is not the chance of it happening, the problem is the outcomne is so bad when it does!

Answer 15

wind power, geo thermal and wave energy are something that billionaires need to buy for the rest of us as they have more money than they need to spend on themselves.  So give something back for your luxery lifestyles you greedy rich gits!!!

Answer 16

no

cold fusion is the answer

although the gov denies it works

Answer 17

thats a hard one, but a look at the way we consume is the key, but truly as individuals, but i think a look at individual ways to use renewable energy on our own properties where possible, but it is not cash flow friendly some times!

Answer 18

surely something where the waste products stays toxic to living things for goodness knows how long can't be the best thing we can come up with!!?

Answer 19

Solar Power is another answer to our energy needs. Were Solar Power collecters to be designed with speed current factories to create cars which people can afford as Henry Ford was said to have done then answer could be there. Were people to vote for people who support Solar Power to make sure it happens then can be more sure it will. With posters, newspapers  distributed explaining why such is a good idea the chances again improve. A name required to support such Solar Power Party. Separate  people run for Mayor of course not as Party but either from or ones chosen by citizens in election for similar ideas.

Answer 20

For the moment it probably is, but it is sensible to develop cleaner alternatives for the future.  Wind farms are springing up all over the World, but they're not the answer either: they are expensive to build and maintain and cannot produce ANY electricity on a cold frosty day with no wind.  This means that an alternative must always be available, making them hardly a replacement!  Solar power has similar limitations (not much power generated during long cold nights!).  Nuclear fusion looks promising, but what's wrong with good old hydro-electric (dams & turbines)?

Answer 21

For the moment yes when we have to geet rid of the nuclear waste maybe not so much but it is much more efficient I think & were running out of fuel to burn...

Answer 22

Regretfully, I think it has too. Although nuclear produces clean energy, disposal of wasts is still an issue. The best experts can come up with, is to bury it deep underground - eg. an old mine.

The UK needs to have a variety of energy sources so we're not heavily dependent on any one. green energy should play its part, but even then, there are issues with wind farms and tidal power - effect on nature conservation area (mudflats used by waders, for instance). The only perfect solution for the planet, is not to use any energy!!

Answer 23

Nuclear power is the only option we can take to supply our needs without creating tons of CO2.

Renewable sources simply will not be able to keep up with demand.

Providing we manage it correctly it is perfectly safe and environmentally friendly. Most of the cretins who protest about nuclear are only doing so for protestings sake and would kick up a stink if beer was free.

Answer 24

no because if u include the cost of waste processing its the most expensive form of generation and leaves tones of radio active waste behind for future generations

Answer 25

Yes, along with renewable and less wasting

Answer 26

yes