Go Green Matter

What do you know about nuclear power? What are the advantages really of having nuclear power? What then are the disadvantages of having nuclear power? Should we worry about it? Thousands of questions are needed to be answered to fully understand the pros and cons of nuclear power.

Let us first take a look the affirmative side. Nuclear power does not depend on fossil fuels. Through the help of nuclear power plants, carbon dioxide emissions are lessened. Since it does not depend on fossil fuels, the fluctuations in both oil and gas prices do not affect the cost of nuclear power. Nuclear power produces the energy the world needs. It can produce large amount of energy by just using small amount of fuel. To summarize its advantages take a look at the list.

• Nuclear power produces large amount of energy from small amount of fuel.
• It produces small amount of waste.
• It is reliable.
• It costs the same like coal. It is not really expensive to do.
• It does not produce carbon dioxide or smoke.

On the negative side, we know that mining and purifying uranium are not really clean processes. There is also a contamination risk when the fuel is transported from and to the nuclear power plants. It can cause pollution which is detrimental not only to humans but also to animals and other creatures as well. And once the fuel is used, you cannot just throw and dump it anywhere. There should be a specific and proper site for it. Study should be conducted to properly dispose the nuclear waste. Nuclear power is possibly deadly as it is still radioactive. So here are some of its disadvantages in general.

• Even if it produces small amount of waste, it can be very dangerous. It should be properly dumped for hundreds and thousands of years to die away the radioactivity.

• Though not a large amount of money is used to do it, a lot of money should be spent for its safe dumping, otherwise it can cause major disaster.

• It causes pollution which can be very destructive.

Yes, the use of nuclear fuel will decay into safe radioactive levels, this will however takes hundreds and thousands of years before it happens. For now, this waste should first be monitored and guarded strictly. As we have said, it should not just be dumped anywhere. Doing this will surely costs high amount of money plus the vast amount of money needed for the construction of nuclear power plant.

Nuclear waste causes problem. Despite its being independent from fossil fuels, it still causes water pollution, air pollution and even destroys our environment. We cannot afford to put at stake our natural resources. We should do something to protect our natural resources.

Using fossils fuels will not last, and using fossil fuels do not have a positive effect on the environment either. This is why more and more companies and people are switching to renewable, clean, and sustainable forms of energy that can get the job done just as well as fossil fuel energy. Here are some forms of clean energy that are available, yet still need to be promoted for wider use in our communities and the economy overall:

Natural Gases
Natural gas renewable energy, like methane, are great forms of clean energy that only turn into carbon dioxide and water when burned, unlike the more complex fossil fuels that release all kinds of chemicals that pollute the air.

Geothermal Energy
This clean energy form utilizes the Earth’s heat from the ground and transforms it into electricity that is distributed to our homes.

Solar Energy
Solar energy is energy that is harnessed from the sun’s rays through solar collectors and panels which later transform these wavelengths into electricity.

Hydro Energy
This is a clean energy form that is very sustainable and utilizes the one element that makes up 70 percent of the world’s surface – water. Hydro power energy is harnessed from the water flow, currents, and waves that happen with water movement.

Wind Energy
This is energy that is transformed from the mechanical energy that is created from wind captured by wind turbines. This is later transformed into electricity that provides hundreds of home with electric power.

Knowing all the different clean energy resources & timber investment that are sustainable and renewable, you can take your part in promoting these clean energy sources for more people to support. It is only through the support of communities that companies will think twice about providing them with energy that is taken from non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.

I am only 15 years old but have learned a lot in school and on my own about how important it is to take care of the planet and try to repair much of the damage that has been done by previous generations. Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPod, my net-book and getting a ride to the local mall with my mom but I just think it is so sad that so many generations have taken this earth for granted and now it is up to me and my future generations to fix it.

I spend a lot of time doing research on the web because I am part of a local non-profit called Green for Saving the Earth we hold weekly meetings and try and educate our local community on how to contribute to a greener earth. I often search the web for good green blogs and directory sites but I also believe in giving to charity. One of the most interesting ideas I have come across is charity car donation programs, they often give money from a donated car to charity and most of them use eco-friendly disposal of the cars. Whatever your age, please help do something today for a greener tomorrow!