From the roundtable discussion, I observe that no matter which nuclear reactor we are going to choose, there are bound to be some aspects in which the design of the reactor will fail to address adequately. Safeguard against nuclear weapon proliferation is one such aspect that sparks off a contentious debate among our group.
For example, VHTR though promises to produce nuclear waste that is low in radioactive content and difficult for extraction of trapped fission products for use as nuclear weapons, has failed to address the problem of producing large volume of low-radioactive waste. The difficulty in extracting trapped fission products also does not necessarily render the terrorists incapable of utilizing these products as potential nuclear weapons.
Moreover, we also observe that majority of nuclear technologies and materials needed for the construction of a Generation IV nuclear power reactor are at the same time essential to develop a nuclear weapons program. As such, claims made by the proponents of Generation IV reactor with regards to safeguarding against nuclear weapon proliferation can never be valid.
Another issue is whether nuclear power really the solution to global warming as claimed by proponents of Generation IV reactors. In my opinion, even if these reactors were environmental-friendly, nuclear power could do little or nothing in the fight against global warming. This is because nuclear power is used only to generate electricity (except for VHTR that produces hydrogen as well) and its contribution to the world’s electricity only represents a mere 16%. Electricity itself, however, only accounts for approximately one third of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, nuclear power is not at all emissions free, if emissions in relation to uranium mining, transportation, plant construction and decommissioning and waste storage are included in the calculation. Hence, construction of any nuclear reactors is unlikely to be the solution to the global climatic change.
In conclusion, while Generation IV reactors are still unable to adequately address the issues of weapon proliferation and radioactive waste management, we should not embark on the construction of nuclear reactors so eagerly. Funding should instead concentrate more on research for renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy which are more practical and realistic solutions to our energy demand problems.
Written by: Teo Kian Siong
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the peaceful use of nuclear energy is always a very tough problem for all the countries. i always can heard form news that American government denounce some so-called "the Axis of Evil" to use nuclear power to make nuclear weapon or something. But if we just stand in the shoes of those guys, we would find that they are not born with evil. Simply because impoverished, unfairly treated or something like this, they are enforced to be terrorists
ReplyDeleteor pirates. I remembered I watched a program on National Geographic about what kind of life people in north korea. At that time, I felt completely shocked and I couldn't believe that there are still some places like that. And now there are still a lot of people in africa still starving and having no clean water to drink. So I believe as a responsible world citizen, we should not just ignore them but try to give them a hand. Not all the people are insane or inherent criminal; if they can even survive in the way they like, they would definitely take a risk to make devastating impacts to our human beings.