Rafique 1 Rumyah Rafique Mr.

Majask World Studies B2 11 November, 2013 Nuclear Energy In this day and age, people are using up fossil fuels such as coal and oil as energy. At first, this seemed like a good idea, but people are starting to realize what effect it is having on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels is contributing to climate change, air pollution, as well as water pollution. Is this the only option we have? The answer to that is no. There is another more environmentally friendly option; nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is environmentally friendly, reliable, and lowers electricity cost. Nuclear energy is much more eco-friendly than burning up fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide and other harmful gases (EPA Environmental Protection Agency). Nuclear energy is created through the process of splitting uranium atoms. This process is called fission. The fission energy releases steam which powers a turbine, which creates usable electricity. Thus, it only emits steam, which is harmless to the environment. Although there are some fossil fuels emitted through uranium mining, it is very little compared to the large amount of fossil fuels that are used today. This shows that nuclear energy is much more environmentally friendly, and is the way to go. Nuclear energy is also much more reliable than other alternative energy sources. For example, wind. Wind is a great renewable energy source, but is it really practical? Although

Rafique 2 wind power has the benefits of being super eco-friendly, it cannot be massed produced. Wind power requires wind turbines, which require large amounts of space and high levels of wind. Even though it works in some places, it cannot work everywhere. Nuclear plants, however, can be built across the world, and put to use practically. The world needs an alternative energy source that is not only eco-friendly, but that can fit the demand of the people. Lastly, nuclear energy is cheaper than fossil fuels. As shown in the chart below:

(Source: "The Economics of Nuclear Power." Nuclear Power Economics. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.) This chart is showing that oil prices oil and gas prices have skyrocketed in the past decade or so. Nuclear energy relatively stayed the same. Although you must take into account the demand and supply, nuclear energy right now is in large supply, so the price should stay cheap. This is great

Rafique 3 for the lower class, the people who spend so much money on gas and electricity a year and struggle to afford it. Nuclear energy is a great untapped source of energy that should be utilized. It is ecofriendly, practical, and relatively cheap. The world should take advantage of this alternative energy. It is much better than using of fossil fuels and ruining the environment. Works Cited "Should the License for the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant Be Renewed?" Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. "Nuclear Energy." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. "Benefits of Nuclear Energy." Benefits of Nuclear Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. "The Economics of Nuclear Power." Nuclear Power Economics. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.