Some are of the opinion that it’s too dangerous and poses a threat to the planet. Others think that nuclear energy is a clean and safe alternative to other forms of electricity. Here, we’ve tried to explain the most worrying facts about nuclear energy:

1. Nuclear energy can also be used to build nuclear weapons 

The disastrous effects of the use of nuclear weapons were seen in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Such was the extent of damage that a nuclear weapon is often referred to as a ‘weapon of mass destruction. Certain processes that are used to generate electricity from nuclear energy can also help in creating nuclear weapons. This is why it becomes absolutely necessary to be very responsible with nuclear power.

In recent times, most countries have signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. This treaty has never been signed by Israel, India, and Pakistan. Some of the countries that signed the treaty have threatened to make their own nuclear weapons.

2. Nuclear accidents can release radioactive materials in large quantities

There have been several major accidents involving nuclear reactors over the past few decades. One of them happened in Kyshtym in Russia. The accident caused an explosion of waste that was improperly treated. Another major explosion occurred in Chernobyl in Ukraine. It was caused due to the negligence of an improperly trained staff.

All such accidents released large quantities of radioactive materials into the environment. Today, the areas surrounding the damaged reactors have become uninhabitable. This is because long-term exposure even to low doses of radiation can be extremely dangerous. It greatly increases the risk of cancer in those who reside in such areas.

3. Nuclear power plants produce high-level radioactive waste 

Radioactive wastes are produced by nuclear power plants during their operations. These wastes are also produced during the production of electricity. It’s quite a challenge managing and getting rid of such waste. Nearly 97% of the radioactive wastes doesn’t carry the potential for harm. They tend to lose their radioactivity after a few weeks or days.

However, it is the other 3% that poses a real threat. They are high-level radioactive wastes and can retain their radioactivity for centuries. For this reason, they need to be kept in a storage facility far from human settlements. Nuclear power plants across the world produce about 34,000 cubic meters of high-level waste every year.

4. The danger of pollution in underground disposal of nuclear wastes

Almost all the experts agree that nuclear wastes should be buried underground. They must go hundreds or thousands of meters below the ground to ensure safety. Yet, most of the countries are still deciding how their nuclear wastes must be disposed of. Those who are opposed to nuclear power are of the opinion that such methods of disposal can be dangerous.

Radioactive wastes disposed of the underground can leak into the groundwater. Opponents of nuclear power are also not convinced about the safety of underground waste facilities. They still believe that these waste facilities may be unsafe for future generations.

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How is wind energy produced?

The generation of electricity through winds is done with the help of turbines. A propeller is driven by the wind and it rotates the rotor of a generator, which produces electricity. To protect the environment and make better use of energy, the wind turbines are grouped in wind farms. Such machines usually have a twenty-year lifespan.

Wind energy vs nuclear energy

In recent times, nuclear power is considered a clean form of energy as compared to other sources of fuel. There was a time when many countries were beginning to consider using more nuclear energy. However, two incidents changed everything. 

One was the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 and the other was the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster of 2011. Following the Fukushima incident, the German government decided to shut down all nuclear power plants by 2022. Before this decision, the country was a big supplier of nuclear energy.

The world seems to be gradually moving away from using nuclear power. Wind energy is being projected as the form of energy that humans will use in the future. Although the winds cannot be predicted and are inconsistent, they are certainly an affordable source of energy. 

A couple of decades ago, generating energy from the wind and the sun was considered too expensive. Today, the costs involved in generating power from these two energy sources have reduced significantly. 

A study done by Lazard, an investment banking firm provided a good insight in this regard. More than 6 cents are needed to produce one kilowatt-hour of energy from natural gas and coal. Wind costs only around 1.5 cents to produce the same amount of energy.

Spain as a case study

A considerable amount of electricity in Spain comes through wind energy. This form of energy is also a source of wealth and employment for the nation. The country has avoided the imports of fossil fuels to a great extent.

This sector employs more than 30,000 individuals in the country. Spain holds several patents in wind energy. The country also invests more than 150 million Euros every year in research and development. 

Wind energy has lowered the cost of electricity considerably. Spain is one of the world’s first countries to have integrated wind energy into the grid. Today, this European nation has set an example for other countries of the world.

The future of wind energy

It has certainly become a priority for many countries to produce large amounts of risk-free energy. While nuclear energy is clean and efficient, it is quite expensive to generate and carries enormous risks. This is why the French nuclear technology giant, Areva, is considering selling of their company. 

Today, investors are more likely to put their money in risk-free renewable energy sources, such as wind. It is expected to become cheaper in the near future. A time may come when it becomes one of the main sources of energy worldwide.

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So, here are five major organizations that strived to create a nuclear-free world:

1. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War 

The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) was founded in 1980. It comprises medical students, doctors, health workers, and other concerned people from the Soviet Union and the United States. 

They are committed to preventing nuclear war between the two countries. And were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! It’s true that all the members of this organization work for a common goal. Which is to create a world free from the threat of nuclear destruction.

2. Clamshell Alliance

Clamshell Alliance is an anti-nuclear organization that is co-founded by many activists in 1976. Such as Harvey Wasserman and Paul Gunter! The group carry out non-violent demonstrations against nuclear power in New England during the1970s- 1980s. The excellence of Clamshell Alliance’s planning and leadership is extremely well-known globally.

The discipline and spirit that the activists of this group display are without a doubt commendable. Without this, Clamshell Alliance wouldn’t be where they are today. The organization has become an inspiration for many communities in opposition to nuclear power plants too.

3. Greenpeace

Greenpeace is founded by Dorothy Stowe and Irving Stowe. They are known for their direct action and raising awareness on not only environmental issues by nuclear weapon issues too. Also, the organization takes direct actions against issues like climate change, commercial whaling, and deforestation. 

They strongly oppose the generation of nuclear energy. They advocate that nuclear power is dangerous, expensive, non-renewable and pollutes the environment. It uses the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters as examples for explaining the risks associated with nuclear power.

4. Shad Alliance

Shad Alliance is an influential group known for its anti-nuclear views in the 1970s and 1980s. They were born out of the Clamshell Alliance, which started the ‘alliance movement’ in New Hampshire. The activists from Long Island and the Hudson River area joined this group. Their goal is to target the nuclear power plants in Indian Point and Shoreham. 

A large demonstration was organized by this group at Shoreham. With over 18,000 marchings to the Shoreham nuclear plant. About 500 of them occupied the plant and 571 arrests were made by the police. Although the power plant was completed, it had to close down in 198. And did so without generating electricity for commercial purposes.

5. Critical Mass Energy Project

The Critical Mass Energy Project is formed by Ralph Nader. They were believed to be the largest anti-nuclear group in America! And had more than a hundred local affiliates with over 200,000 supporters. They give most of their efforts towards providing local groups with resources. These resources are so that they can campaign agaisn’t nuclear energy.

The first anti-nuclear conference that Ralph Nader sponsored is called ‘Critical Mass 74’, which was held in Washington DC! And several workshops held throughout the U.S about nuclear power. So, many groups wanted to form anti-nuclear organizations.

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One cannot ignore the fact that power consumption will continue to increase. It is mainly due to the global demand for energy, coming from industrialized as well as developing nations. If the recent reports are to be believed, nuclear power has become more expensive than solar power. The calculation was made on the basis of installed cost per unit of the capacity of power generation.

Nuclear Energy vs Solar Energy

Nuclear energy is generated by splitting uranium atoms. Upon splitting the atom, two smaller and lighter atoms are formed. The ‘lost’ mass is then transformed into heat used for the production of electricity. A controlled environment is provided for this process by the nuclear power plants. 

Large-scale ecological devastation was caused by accidents at the nuclear power plants of Chernobyl and Fukushima. Otherwise, nuclear power is considered to be relatively environment-friendly and produces fewer emissions. However, nuclear energy relies heavily on uranium mined from the earth and is therefore not sustainable. 

Solar energy is a sustainable source of energy and can provide a stable power supply during the year. It uses photovoltaic modules or solar panels, which utilize the light energy from the sun to generate electricity.

How solar energy can gradually replace nuclear energy

As solar technology advances further, generating power using sunlight will become much more cost-effective. Architects will integrate solar power into the building designs. Hot water systems run by solar energy will be far more economical as compared to the conventional systems. 

The cost of one watt of solar power was over $75 in the late 1970s. It dropped to about $0.60 in 2014. This proves that today’s solar power projects are far more cost-effective. Industry experts have predicted that 50% of the world’s power supply would come from sustainable resources by 2040. 

They have also said that millions of households worldwide would use solar energy in the next few years. This prediction is based on the current usage of solar power in the US and Japan. Germany, China, and Japan also provide financial incentives for those who implement such systems. This has made these countries world leaders in solar deployment.

For planet earth, the sun has always been a reliable source of abundant energy. Today, technologies are available for utilizing solar energy for a variety of purposes. Supply of hot water to households and producing steam for turbines generating energy are two of the best examples.

By now, the entire world has understood the fact that nuclear energy is not sustainable. The only reliable sources of energy are the ones that are sustainable, such as the wind and the sun. At the moment, the cost of producing nuclear power is becoming a cause of concern. 

Under such circumstances, the best alternative is solar energy. As long as the costs involved in producing solar power continue to decrease, there is hope. One cannot rule out the possibility of it replacing nuclear power in the near future.

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We will suffer increasing consequences if we continue to abuse power sources based on fossil fuel. These consequences will have some drastic effects on all living beings. Not just humans! Therefore, it is necessary to generate power from renewable energy sources that are free of emissions.

There are many companies involved in the generation of power from renewable sources already. And the good news is it’s becoming more popular every day! These companies are trying to protect against the disastrous effects of climate change. So they’re extremely valuable. Here are the top five among them:

1. NextEra Energy 

NextEra is one of the top 25 companies listed by Fortune magazine for innovation and global impact. It has affiliated entities and together they are the largest generator of renewable energy. Which comes from the wind and sun. 

NextEra Energy has been growing its business of green energy steadily over the last few years. The company has a power generation capacity of more than 21,000 megawatts! Throughout the United States and Canada.

2. Canadian Solar

The company was founded in the Canadian province of Ontario in 2001. And they specialize in the generation of solar power. They also manufacture solar PV modules and provides support for the installation of solar energy. 

Canadian Solar has delivered solar modules of more than 40 gigawatts worldwide. Since 2015, the annual revenue of this company has averaged more than $3 billion. This has made it one of the largest solar power companies in the world today! 

3. Motech 

Headquartered in Taiwan, this company was founded as Motech Industries Inc in 1981. In 2007 they were ranked as the world’s 6th largest manufacturer of solar cells. They previously specialized in the design and manufacture of instruments. Which was used for testing and measurement. 

In 1999, they entered into solar cell production. And then went on to become Taiwan’s largest solar cell manufacturer. The company has also won several awards, including the 2019 Taiwan Excellence Award.

4. Vestas Wind Systems

The roots of this company date back to the late 19th century. During this time, it was a blacksmith shop in West Jutland bought by Hand Smith Hansen. West Jutland is a continental portion of Denmark. In 1945, his son Peder Hansen founded Vestas as Vestjysk Stalteknik A/S. 

More than two decades later, it entered the wind turbine industry. From the year 1989, it began producing wind turbines exclusively. Today, the installed wind capacity of Vestas is much more than 115 gigawatts.

5. First Solar

The first solar company is ranked among the fastest-growing technology companies in America by Forbes in 2011. And its popularity has continued to grow since being founded in 1990! The headquarters is in Arizona and they own large solar plants with active projects across the globe.

They produce solar energy with a process that requires the least amount of energy inputs. It became the first solar panels manufacturer to lower its cost of manufacturing to $1 per watt in 2009.

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Using sustainable energy

Sustainable energy is being used by casinos to reduce their operational costs so here are two powerful methods of harnessing renewable energy that is being used by some of the casinos:

1. Solar energy:

Casinos can generate nearly 5-10% of the electricity of their establishments with the use of solar panels. They are generally installed on the rooftop to harness the maximum amount of energy from the sun. Solar energy is the most popular form of renewable energy today.

2. Anaerobic digestion:

This is a technique of generating an energy source from biodegradable materials. An enormous amount of food is wasted in a single casino every year. In anaerobic digestion, wasted food is transformed into fuel by natural processes. About 850,000 kWh of power is generated by Suffolks Downs, one of the world’s green casinos, using this method.

Some major casinos using sustainable energy

It is a known fact that most of the casinos across the world need a lot of power supply. This is required for their lights, air-conditioning, games, and functioning of various electrical equipment. In order to reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs, many of them are looking for alternative energy sources. 

Here are two of the major casinos that are using sustainable energy to a great extent:

1. MGM Resorts:

MGM is one of the biggest names in the world of casinos. They have the biggest solar energy instalment at their Mandalay Bay resort. It provides 20% of the resort’s power. MGM also use LED lighting in their gaming rooms and accommodations to reduce carbon emissions.

2. Rincon Casino:

Located in San Diego, this casino offers different kinds of games for gamblers. They’ve shown their commitment towards a sustainable future by using solar energy for their casino’s air-conditioning. Rincon also uses solar heating in the swimming pool of their premises.

Going online

The best way for casinos to eliminate carbon emissions is by going online. This can reduce their costs significantly. It would also give gamblers the convenience of playing their favorite games without traveling to the casino establishments. There are many online casinos functioning today across the world. 

They offer the chance for avid gamblers to place their bets and win, no matter where they are. Such casinos also have plenty of free bonuses in store for the players. However, it is essential that they know which of them are safe and reliable. They can know this through online casino review sites like Casinos Jungle.

This casino review site allows players to explore the most trusted online casinos. All of them are reviewed and rated by experts. Online gamblers can also play the latest slot games for free on this site. For details, visit https://www.casinosjungle.com/

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1. China

In 2016, China achieved the capacity of over 545 gigawatts of renewable energy. This was reported by the International Renewable Energy Agency. One of the biggest solar plants in the world is located in this country. It is called Longyangxia Dam Solar Park. 

It’s spread across a vast area of 27 square kilometres and has a capacity of 850 megawatts. Which can supply power to 200,000 households. The Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Plant is also one of the biggest sources of renewable energy in China. With a capacity of 22.5 gigawatts, it is the world’s largest hydropower station.  Besides the generation of solar energy and hydropower, the country also generates about 148.6 gigawatts of wind power.

2. USA

The United States of America had an overall renewable energy capacity of a little over 214 gigawatts in 2016. Nearly 14,004 megawatts of wind projects were under construction in 2017. This was stated in a report released by the American Wind Energy Association. 

The report also said that 11,815 megawatts of wind projects were in the advanced development stage. Over 52,000 commercial wind turbines were operating in 41 states of the country in mid-2017. 

Two of the major solar energy projects in the US are located in California. They are the 579-megawatt Solar Star project and the 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight Solar Farm.

3. Brazil

In 2016, this country had an overall renewable energy capacity of more than 122 gigawatts. A major portion of this included the hydroelectric power plants. Towards the end of 2016, Brazil achieved the hydropower capacity of over 98 gigawatts. 

The country has one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world. It is called Tucurui Hydropower Complex and is located on the lower Tocantins River in Tucurui. This hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of 8.3 gigawatts. Brazil also achieved a wind power generation capacity of 10.7 gigawatts in 2016.

4. Germany

Germany had a renewable energy capacity of over 105 gigawatts in 2016. The country’s wind energy capacity was 49.7 gigawatts and its solar power capacity was 40.9 gigawatts. Bundesnetzagentur, the German energy regulator, launched a tender for an onshore wind capacity of 1 gigawatt in 2017.

Germany increased its installed wind energy capacity between the years 2017 and 2019. According to ICIS, this was made possible through tenders for 2.8 gigawatts per year.

5. Canada

The renewable energy capacity of this country was over 96 gigawatts in 2016. Most of this was contributed by the country’s hydropower plants. Canada’s hydropower capacity in 2016 stood at 80.7 gigawatts. In the same year, its solar power capacity was 2.7 gigawatts. 

Canada’s wind power capacity was more than 11 gigawatts in 2016. The country was home to Annapolis Royal Generating Station. It was one of the few tidal power generating stations in the world. In 2019, it was shut down following substantial fish mortality issues.

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Experts still ponder over the reasons why a country starts or abandons its nuclear weapons program. Specific explanations on a nation’s motivations for acquiring or not acquiring nuclear arsenal have often been inadequate. However, here are some of the reasons stopping the world from being nuclear free:

1. Dominance

Some countries believe that the only way to achieve a certain degree of dominance is to possess nuclear weapons. This leads them to develop the best possible nuclear arsenals through research and development. 

Any country having nuclear weapons in its possession is capable of inflicting maximum damage on another nation. This belief is used as a tool for keeping their enemy nations at bay. The countries that want to assert their dominance may find it hard to let go of their nuclear weapons.

2. Self-defence

An increased focus on security also becomes a big reason for certain countries to acquire nuclear weapons. They see many countries, especially some of their neighbours, as a threat to their national security. 

When this is their approach, they consider nuclear weapons as powerful means to ward off a possible external aggression. It was a widely accepted fact that countries facing major security problems will pursue nuclear weapons program actively.

3. International status

There is also a perception that possession of nuclear weapons raises the status of a country globally. In the times of cold war, this was acknowledged by many countries. As a result, it served as a motivation for many to pursue their goal of acquiring nuclear arsenal. 

Many countries had ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This did not stop some of them from pursuing their nuclear weapons program later on. North Korea and Iran are the examples of such countries.

4. Domestic politics

Countries facing a turmoil in domestic politics sometimes use their nuclear weapons program to divert public attention. There are times when a country’s leadership is under threat following a public outcry. In order to divert the attention of public, the nuclear weapons program may be used by the leadership. 

When such an issue surfaces, negative reactions often come in from the international community. This stirs up nationalist sentiments in the country’s citizens and they forget about their dissent. Thus, the country’s regime may end up strengthening its position after successfully diverting public attention.

According to some experts, a total of thirty-nine countries were once involved in acquiring nuclear weapons. Most of them abandoned their quest of acquiring such weapons over the years. There are primarily two reasons for this. One is the enormous resources needed for making reliable and deliverable nuclear weapons. 

Second is the threat of a large-scale disaster that may happen as a result of using them. In recent times, the number of nations involved in the development of nuclear weapons has been quite low. There is immense hope among the international community that a nuclear-free world would soon become a reality.

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Of course, the road to complete nuclear disarmament in the world is quite long with many bumps. However, the good news is that something significant is happening in this regard. One considers national security, terrorism, and other threats while thinking of eliminating nuclear weapons.

Nevertheless, it’s also important to know the reasons why the world must be free of nuclear weapons:

1. A big strain on resources

The research, development, and maintenance of nuclear weapons put a lot of strain on a country’s finances. From 1940 to 1996, the United States spent over 5 trillion dollars on nuclear weapons programs. It continues to spend billions of dollars annually on these programs. 

Things would be so different if such amounts were spent on health, education, and people’s welfare. It is apparent that the current nuclear powers of the world are losing out on the available opportunities.

2. The nuclear arms race

The nuclear powers often justify their nuclear weapons program by citing national security as the reason. It creates an impression among other nations that their national security must also be based on nuclear arsenals. 

Eventually, this will lead to a nuclear arms race. This will certainly increase the possibility of conflict between two nations escalating into a nuclear war. It is, therefore, extremely important that the nuclear powers act on eliminating such disastrous weapons.

3. Threat of terrorist attacks

The presence of nuclear weapons, their production, and storage facilities always face the threat of terrorist attacks. The best example is Russia. After the breakup of former Soviet Union, the nation’s command and control system has weakened considerably. This has made their nuclear arsenal vulnerable to attacks from terrorists. 

Enormous amounts are spent on the safety, security, and maintenance of nuclear facilities. Besides, these weapons are not helpful in countering terrorism. This is due to the fact that terrorist groups or camps are often unlocatable.

4. Possibility of nuclear accidents

Some dangerous accidents can occur at nuclear facilities due to natural disasters or human errors. There are two examples that point out to this fact. One is Ukraine’s Chernobyl disaster, which took place in 1986. The initial explosion caused the deaths of 30 employees. Many negative health effects on people were seen across Russia and Eastern Europe as a result of this incident. 

The second example is of nuclear meltdowns that happened at a power plant in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture. This was caused by an earthquake and tsunami that occurred in 2011. In both the cases, there was a significant increase in cancer rates among populations living nearby.

5. Concentration of power

Not all nations are nuclear powers. Those who do possess nuclear weapons always run the risk of giving their leaders the power to destroy the world. If such individuals fall prey to misunderstanding or misjudgment, it can put the entire world at risk. 

Even in democratic countries, the power of decision-making rests upon their presidents or prime ministers. The citizens who vote for them in elections are rarely informed about some critical decisions.

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What’s saddening is the fact that these two bombs killed many individuals who were utterly innocent. It was dropped at a time when many industrial workers were at work. Many were on their way to the industrial units. Children were in their schools. Most of them perished in these bombings for no fault of their own.

Reason behind the bombings

In the Second World War, Japan was one of the biggest enemies of the United States. Towards the final stages of the war, the relations between these two countries worsened. The Japanese forces were planning to capture the oil-rich areas of the East Indies. The Japanese had also expressed their intention to fight the war till the end publicly. 

They started using kamikaze attacks, which involved pilots suicide-diving against warships of the United States. Harry Truman, then US president, was left with no other alternative but to use the atomic bombs.

Why Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

At the time of the bombings, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were of great military significance. Hiroshima was an industrialized city with several military units located close to it. Among them was the headquarters of the Second General Army, which defended the southern part of Japan. 

The city of Nagasaki was one of southern Japan’s largest seaports at the time of World War II. It was the place where ordnance, military equipment, ships, and other war materials were produced.

Impact of the bombings

Not just the humans, practically all living beings were burned to death by the bombs. The heat and pressure resulting from the blast was that devastating. Things didn’t end there. More people died in the coming years owing to the effects of radiation released from the explosion. 

Nearly half of those who died due to leukemia were exposed to radiation. Birth defects were also seen in children born to women who were pregnant during the bombings.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki in recent times

The two are thriving, vibrant cities today and are home to more than a million people. One can find very little evidence of the destruction that the terrifying weapons unleashed on them. The parks and structures created in memory of the bombings and the people they killed get many visitors today. 

Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. He had visited the city in 2016. While writing in the visitors’ book, he hoped for the spread of peace and a world without nuclear weapons.

The TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons)

This is also known as the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. It was adopted on the 7th of July 2017 and came into force on the 22nd of January 2021. It became the first legally binding international agreement that aimed to eliminate nuclear weapons. No nuclear-armed country has supported this treaty. However, it is being considered as the first major step towards creating a nuclear-free world.

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