Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
No, we should invest in cleaner alternatives such as wind, hydroelectric, thorium, and geothermal
This argument is not sound at all because thorium is also nuclear power, not just the traditional uranium reactors. Nuclear power is very low carbon (there is some carbon in building the plant. Nuclear power is safe now. The measures put in place in a pwer plant today and exceptional in terms of saftey. This is further reinforced by the fact the UK doesn't lie on any fault lines like Fukishima. The risk of a radioactive release is minimal.
In addition to its saftey, nuclear power is efficient. Nuclear fuel is the most energy dense fuel type. This means that we can harvest massive amounts of energy from a small amount of fuel.
Waste is not as big an issue as its made out to be. Nuclear fuel can be recycled and fission products can be used to create more energy. The reason this is not done today is the governments fear of proliferation. However security measures would minimise this risk.
Thorium reactors would be a fantastic techology. Thorium is much more abundant in the earth and its easier to mine. It doesn't need enriched like uranium does and it is much more energy dense. The fission products also mean less chance of proliferation. More funding should be put towards thorium reactors.
The main barriers to nuclear energy now are public and government fear which need addressed with facts and real education.
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