Nuclear Power: The Pros and Cons, and What We Need To Know

Nur Atiqah Mohd Isa

First earthquake, then Tsunami, then nuclear disaster and followed up with a snow storm.

Just days following the magnitude 9 earthquake off the coasts of Sendai sent a tsunami to the northeast coasts of Japan’s main Honshu Island; numbers showed that more than 17,000 people are already feared dead. Latest estimates suggest more than 452,000 people are homeless, 343,000 households still have no power and a million homes have no water. Plus, Japan’s public health fears were upped recently after radiation was found in Tokyo’s tap water – just hours after nuclear experts raised the risk from the crippled Fukushima power plant to a deadly Level Five.

In light of recent events, it is crucial that we know what is happening around us, mainly:

The Malaysian government announced that the country is considering on establishing a nuclear power plant by 2021.

Now, let’s expose ourselves with the pros and cons about nuclear power, and what do we really need to know.

THE CONS

“Nuclear power stations, apart from the hazards they create, produce only electricity. Electricity alone cannot satisfy our present or future needs, and cannot easily be stored. During the process of generating electricity, nuclear power stations also generate highly poisonous radioactive waste, a great deal of which has already been dispersed into our environment. The radiation from this waste causes cancer, genetic mutations and species degeneration in all living creatures. No safe method has been found for disposing of this waste. It cannot be destroyed. It lasts for thousands of years.” (‘File on 4’, BBC Radio 4, 12 December 1979)

The arguments against nuclear power:

1.       Radiation

2.       Wastes

3.       Accidents

4.       The costs

For many years now, the nuclear industry has been claiming that it is a safe industry. Even before the production of the first atomic bomb, it was known that radiation such as that routinely produced by nuclear power stations causes cancer, genetic mutations and a reduction in immunity to disease. There is still no known safe and permanent method for disposing of this waste. And the ultimate environmental catastrophe directly caused by the process of nuclear power generation is, of course, an accident originating in a malfunction of the power station itself. Such an accident may be the result of human error, or even a failure in the technology used.

THE PROS

Nuclear energy is the greenest energy currently available on Earth. It is indeed greener than any other form of power generating plants including solar voltaic and wind energy farm. Nuclear power plant does not cause atmospheric pollution. No smokestacks are needed because nothing is being burned. France initiated a large-scale nuclear program after the Arab oil restriction in 1973 and has been able to reduce its acid rain and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 40%.

Nuclear power plants do not contribute to the global warming problem. Shipments of fuel are minimal so that the hazards of coal transportations and oil spills are avoided. Additionally, nuclear technology is readily available; it does not have to be developed first. It generates high, substantial amount of electrical energy in one single plant.

The necessity for Nuclear Power:

1.       The need for more energy

2.       Energy demand

3.       The depleting availability of oil

4.       Coal as an alternative: its abundance, acceptance  and production

CYBERJAYA, Wednesday 16 March 2011 (Bernama) — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated his view on not having a nuclear power plant in this country.

“You know my view about it. We do not know enough about the reaction of this material,” he told reporters when asked on his view on building the plant.

Dr Mahathir said the radiation leaking from the stricken Japanese nuclear power plant due to the tsunami after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake seemed to lend support for his concern.

“Once it is activated, it becomes radioactive. People do not know how to get rid of the waste,” he said.

However, at the end of the day, it is up to the readers to decide for themselves whether the idea to establish a nuclear power plant in Malaysia is a wise move or not. In all honesty, it was difficult for the author to maintain a neutral ground upon writing this article. She feels that we are not ready yet for such changes.

Nur Atiqah Mohd Isa
Exco Sekretariat Teknologi Hijau dan Pembangunan Lestari
Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar Universiti Putra Malaysia