What are disadvantages of nuclear power?

Question

Thsi is for a debate. And also if anyone could think of a team line for us (a catchy statement that we repeat a few times to increase the impact of our argument) that would help sooo much!

Answer 1

The use of nuclear power is controversial for a number of reasons. Proponents believe that these risks are small and can be further reduced by the technology in the new reactors. They further claim that the safety record is already good when compared to other fossil-fuel plants, that it releases much less radioactive waste than coal power, and that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source. Critics, including most major environmental groups, claim nuclear power is an uneconomic and potentially dangerous energy source with a limited fuel supply, especially compared to renewable energy, and dispute whether the costs and risks can be reduced through new technology.

Several concerns about nuclear power have been expressed, and these include:

Concerns about nuclear reactor accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster

Vulnerability of plants to attack or sabotage

Use of nuclear waste as a weapon

Health effects of nuclear power plants

Nuclear proliferation

Concerns about the complexity of nuclear power plants

There is concern in some countries over North Korea and Iran operating research reactors and fuel enrichment plants, since those countries refuse adequate IAEA oversight and are believed to be trying to develop nuclear weapons. North Korea admits that it is developing nuclear weapons, while the Iranian government vehemently denies the claims against Iran.

Answer 2

nuclear war?!

Answer 3

i think the most scary thing about nuclear power is the safety.

imagine chernobyl. peoples will say that maximum security measure will be strictly taken but hey, s***s ALWAYS  happen! and there will be no turning back. our next generation will be mutants arghh!!

Answer 4

Sorry, no catchy phrases.

The main disadvantage is public fear and opposition, based on Chernobyl, atomic bombs and Three Mile island, although Three Mile island does not really belong ion the same category as the other 2. That is just an indication of the level of public distrust when they equate Three Mile island with Chernobyl. There is no comparison at all.

The next disadvantage is cost. Nuclear is expensive. Partly due to safety measures and partly because uranium is a rare and expensive fuel.

The newest, and possibly most damaging disadvantage is nuclear proliferation. The world does not want  to see nuclear reactors in the hands of every country in the world, because it would make nuclear weapons much easier for those countries to build. It is one thing for the U.S and France to have reactors, and another for Libya, Iran and North Korea to have them.

On the up side, nuclear plants do not emit carbon dioxide, or any pollutants really. And they are really powerful. The main disadvantage with wind and solar is how weak it is. Nuclear definitely does not have that problem.

Answer 5

The main problem is disposal of the waste.  That is a technological issue that will be solved, eventually.  

Nuclear power technology and safety has increased greatly from the early days, and events such as Chernobyl or Three Mile Island are much more unlikely to happen.  The benefits of nuclear power far outweigh the disadvantages.   Some will moan about security, or use of materials in nuclear weapons, but either are simply faux arguments by those who quiver at the mention of of the word "nuclear".  

The use of material from power generation to make weapons is a highly technical, complex, and dangerous operation that terrorist groups simply do not have the ability to accomplish.  Dirty bombs are a minimal threat that is promulgated for media attention, by the media.  The actual danger of a dirty bomb attack is minimal, involving only localized damage and easily remediated.