...Before the Fukushima nuclear disaster, power supplied by nuclear reactors were set to be a major part of the energy portfolio in many countries. Increases in the share of nuclear were to rise in Japan, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the US. Because nuclear is efficient, relatively inexpensive, and emits significantly less CO2, when compared to fossil fuels, it was the perfect fuel for stabilizing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. However, after the disaster, many of these countries halted or even reversed their nuclear reliance plans. The authors suggest that there is still a role for nuclear in the energy portfolio, specifically in quickly developing Asian countries. As these countries grow, their demand for power also grows. Because...
Words: 281 - Pages: 2
...ACCT 5919 – Fukushima – An Analysis of Risk Management Issues ACCT 5919 – Business Risk Management Fukushima – An Analysis of Risk Management Issues Page 1 of 11 ACCT 5919 – Fukushima – An Analysis of Risk Management Issues 1.0 Executive Summary On 11th March 2011, Japan witnessed the second largest earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 with its epicentre at Tohoku. The earthquake gave rise to a Tsunami which hit the Fukushima nuclear reactor run by The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The disaster escalated by triggering a series of power and equipment failures, explosions, nuclear meltdowns and release of radioactive material. The disaster was regarded as a manmade disaster which could have been avoided with appropriate human response as stated by the chairman of NAIIC, Professor Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Bloomberg, 2012). TEPCO lacked a sense of responsibility to ensure safety and protection to the people effected by the disaster. The nuclear incident was caused by poor earthquake safety planning and faulty post-tsunami communication. The collusion between TEPCO and the regulators resulted in there being no separation of atomic regulation and promotion which led to nuclear power become unstoppable force immune to scrutiny. TEPCO, government and the regulators failed to develop the most basic safety requirements like assessing the probability of damage, preparing for containment of collateral damage, and developing evacuation plans. The lack of training...
Words: 3903 - Pages: 16
...Fukushima Radiation Causes Growing National Concern: Time for New EPA Policy Eric Zoppi 3279672 2 December 2013 On March 11th, 2011 the Tōhoku earthquake and the resulting tsunami wreaked havoc upon Japan. Unfortunately, this natural disaster resulted in the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, as the tsunami crippled the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Following this severe breach in security, numerous radioactive isotopes and radioactive particles were released into the environment, specifically the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding air/atmosphere, thus contaminating groundwater, soil and seawater, as well as effectively shutting down a myriad of Japanese fisheries. The ocean and air mainly came in contact with high levels of Iodine-131, Cesium-137, and Cesium-134, as well as lower levels of Tellurium, Uranium, and Strontium, which were concentrated closer to the surrounding area of the nuclear power plant. However, the impact that these radioactive materials will have upon the United States, in particular, has caused quite the national controversy. Despite heavy national acceptance of the occurrence of the disaster, two popular and opposing hypotheses have formed as a result of the Media’s lack of focus on recent analyses of the impending effects of Fukushima Disaster upon the U.S.: (1) the radioactive material that leaked as a result of the TEPCO nuclear power plant failure will not have a drastic, threatening...
Words: 4187 - Pages: 17
...The Land Rising Again On March 11, 2011, an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 9.0 occurred off the coast of Honshu. The earthquake produced a tsunami that affected mostly Sendai and would take the lives of thousands of people and more in injuries. Fukushima Daiichi is declared a nuclear disaster when a meltdown of the reactors in the nuclear power station left contamination in the water, land, and air. In the aftermath of the tsunami of March 11, 2011, the people of Japan have not only the challenge of redevelopment but the safety from Fukushima and strength to build a healthy psychological future. When Fukushima Daiichi was designed and built with information of tsunami hazard, there were no known large tsunamis that hit that particular part of the coast (Noggerath 39). Once the news of the nuclear disaster was being announced it brought a series of new tragedies to the community. They were evacuated from the surrounding area of the nuclear plant because of the release of radioactive materials. Many are not able to come back to their homes due to the decaying contaminates emitting radiation. Although evacuations were set forth immediately, those that have been exposed will suffer a great deal of health problems. Cancer and tumors are likely for those who were exposed to high levels of radiation. Other problems facing many is the psychological repercussions leading to “stress related symptoms such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder...
Words: 528 - Pages: 3
...ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT RADIATION Technology has a significant role in today’s world. It can also affect many peoples’ lives. It makes life easier and more efficient. However in today’s world, there are some who have considered about the danger it may cause. People have started destroying our environment by using destructive weapons to defeat and lead with possession. There is dangerous equipment which had been manufactured throughout the world. Nuclear weapon is one of the most destructive weapons ever made which could really destroy the world in just a moment. It can cause a big effect in our lives as well to our environment. Radiation is an environmental hazard that people tend to worry about only when it is artificially produced (Schneider 336). When atoms combine it can causes a radiation which will affect molecules, cells and tissues. However there are some who think of biological effects of radiation on human body. The atoms unite through a process called ionization. So the biological effects begin with the result of radiation combining with the atoms which develops cells. There are several sources of radiation. In fact, It can be found everywhere. The homes which we live by contain amount of radioactive elements that decay into a chemical element called radon gas. It can leak into our homes which. It can also be found mostly in industry to control measuring equipment. Radiation comes from natural or artificial resources. However it was commonly found in natural...
Words: 709 - Pages: 3
...On March 11, 2011 a magnitude-9 earthquake shook northeastern Japan for 6 whole minutes. Not even an hour later the first of many tsunami waves, reaching up to 128 feet, began crashing onto Japans coastline and traveled as far as 6 miles inland destroying everything in its destructive path. This tsunami not only was the cause for 18,000 deaths, but also the reason for a cooling system failure at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant which then resulted in a level 7 nuclear meltdown and the release of radioactive materials. I am first going to discuss how TEPCO, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, reacted to the meltdown and how they continue to store and reuse the nuclear waste, and then will discuss my opinion on what they are doing and future steps I believe they should take. When the tsunami swamped the plant, the power to vital cooling systems for three of the reactors were cut. These began to melt and leaked radioactive material in the atmosphere. In order to cool these down TEPCO began pumping hundreds of tons of water into the plant. This now highly radioactive water was stored in makeshift, hastily built containers that were meant for temporary holding and have hardly held up 3 years after the catastrophe. The operator of the plant Toshimitsu Motegi compared the way they are dealing with leaking containers to a game of “whack-a-mole” and after 300 tons of radioactive waste leaking from one container, he decided it was time for the government to step in. Current...
Words: 734 - Pages: 3
...Nuclear technology started being researched in the late 1800’s. The research really didn’t kick off until the late 1940’s during World War II for the use of nuclear power on naval ships making propulsion and electricity, as well as nuclear bombs for use in warfare. There are also other major nuclear evens that also paved the road for nuclear technology. Some of these events include the Cherynoble meltdown, the Three Mile Island meltdown, and most recently the Fukushima Japan flooding of a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plant accidents and incidents with multiple fatalities and/or more than US$100 million in property damage, 1952-2011[5][16][17] | Date | Location | Description | Deaths | Cost (in millions 2006 $US) | INES level[18] | 01957-10-10October 10, 1957 | Sellafield, Cumberland, United Kingdom | A fire at the British atomic bomb project destroyed the core and released an estimated 750 terabecquerels (20,000 curies) of radioactive material into the environment. | 0 | | 5 | 01961-01-03January 3, 1961 | Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States | Explosion at SL-1 prototype at the National Reactor Testing Station. All 3 operators were killed when a control rod was removed too far. | 3 | 22 | 4 | 01966-10-05October 5, 1966 | Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan, United States | Partial core meltdown of the Fermi 1 Reactor at the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station. No radiation leakage into the environment. | 0 | | | 01969-01-21January 21, 1969 | Lucens...
Words: 2514 - Pages: 11
...Radioactive contamination With the development of the science and technology, nuclear energy is replacing conventional energy rapidly. It produces enormous energy by few resources. However, nuclear leak caused by an earthquake in Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant last year lead to a severe radioactive contamination. This raises great attention to nuclear safety. Radioactive contamination is the harm to individuals or equipment by the unregulated radioactive materials, such as radioactive gases, liquids, or particles. Almost everything can become contaminated by radioactive materials in environment. Anyone can intake of radioactive materials in the case of unconscious, even taking a walk or eat. A number of events can cause radioactive contamination. A well-known example is the explosion of the nuclear weapons. Previously, it was used as a mass destruction especially used in Second World War. Radioactive contamination also occurs when radioactive materials are not properly sealed. Laboratory mistakes and natural disasters are the most important reason. The effects of radioactive contamination vary. It depends on the degree of radioactive substances leaked. A low degree of contamination is more likely to be diluted by environment. It may not cause obvious harm. On the other hand, high levels of contamination can significantly threaten both people and the environment. If individuals live in a radioactive contamination, his body will suffer Serious destruction, especially...
Words: 291 - Pages: 2
...Some may ask what nuclear energy is, the dictionary defines this as: 1. The energy released by a nuclear reaction, especially by fission or fusion. 2. Nuclear energy regarded as a source of power. Also called atomic energy Nuclear power was first known to be researched in the early 1900's, and by the world war; it reached its greatest peak by demonstrating to the world its power to destroy. Nuclear energy can be good or bad, depending on how the person works with this material; it is used for both sides good and bad. Scientists were unsure from the beginning of how it was possible to get energy from the material called Uranium. They were sure that with its uniqueness it would be able to transform itself into different elements. So they were unsure of it for many years, until Albert Einstein he explored the world of nuclear energy. In 1905 he released his theory of the famous equation e=mc2 with this he knew that uranium was able to create masses of electricity. A few years later, scientists found out the great power of the atomic energy. Since then, both scientist and the public were unable to find the best fit for nuclear energy in our society. We have put it into power plants, but the government and public were disappointed by accidents. We have put it into war, and with it we have caused great damages. So the question is where can this energy go? Even though it has been discovered to be the greatest power source of the world today, nobody is willing to...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...underdeveloped countries where the cost of production will be minimal as compared to investing in developed regions. Yet globalization is criticized, mainly because of the effects it has on the society, environment and culture. Globalization has created competition between economies that compete vigorously with each other to achieve superiority. Such completion has caused more devastation and exploitation. Globalization has affected the financial market, economy, health, environment and culture. In this research project, the positive and negative aspects of development of nuclear program have been compared, analyzed, and evaluated. The nuclear program that includes, nuclear as power source, as a weapon and as a future research material, has been consistently growing. Every economy is investing in nuclear programs. Nuclear is a great source of energy, it is harnessed to produce electricity. Discovery of nuclear has...
Words: 2107 - Pages: 9
...Evaluating Truth and Validity Exercise All religious authorities are concerned about the dangers of nuclear war. All politicians are concerned about the dangers of nuclear war. Therefore, all politicians are religious authorities. The above statement is false and creates conclusions based on fallacies. It generalizes all political and religious leaders into one group and assumes that they all think the same. It also does not take into account the many varying religious ways of thought and forms of political leadership within the world. This is a case of over simplifying something that is not simple. It would be better worded as follows: Nuclear war is a very real concern amongst many of our religious and political leaders. Though the ideas behind what qualifies as and why nuclear war is a concern may be different, the end state of nuclear war is what concerns most though there are some extremist religions and political factions would like nothing more than to incite a nuclear war and are trying desperately to acquire nuclear weapons. I was able to identify most of the errors by playing the devil’s advocate as it were. This ability gives one an objective perspective and allows them to see the errors in their ways of thought. Beginning the statement with the word “All” is one that should be avoided. Many things you or I consider common sense might not be the same to someone else. This takes away the ability to accurately generalize. With a topic as ambiguous as this...
Words: 788 - Pages: 4
...Doğukan Department: Civil Engineering Date: 13.03.2014 Submitted to: Engin ALKAN EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY In our world, the energy is the most essential issue today. The more energy we have, the more we produe. In order to get some energy we need sources like nuclear power which harmful for the world. There are several reasons such as money, safety and failures for this. Firs of all, producing energy from nuclear power is very expensive. Although it seems the best way to generate energy, the fuel itself is expensive. Moreover, building and operating power plants are not cheap at all. Hiring workers and the crews of engineers and scientist is neccessary. Beside that, the teams need a training program. Plus, the conditions need to be safe for people who workk there and live in the city or country that they work in. Hiring, training and making the conditions safe means money. Secondly, most of the nuclerr materials are not safe. The nuclear fuels which are used in the power staations are dangerous. Mining fuels is also dangerous because it has radioactive gas. Workers may be effected unless they are fully proteccted from the radioactive gas. Every nuclear energy stations have it’s own waste products which are also not secure. Thet are very dabgerıys abd şt şs dşffşcykt tı dispose of or store safely. Thirdly, it is possible to accure any accidents. For instane, nuclear power plants can fail, whic is happened in Three Mile Island, U.S.A. ın 1979, Tarpur India in 1992...
Words: 333 - Pages: 2
...four different topics. I have underlined some of the words and phrases that link the ideas. Although the main ideas come from the ebook, it is sometimes necessary to expand on them and add examples; this is part of the practice. 1. Nuclear Power Benefits: Nuclear power stations have several benefits. Firstly, nuclear power is a relatively sustainable energy source, meaning that it can be used to produce electricity without wasting limited natural resources like coal, oil or gas. Secondly, nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations, and could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming. Finally, with improvements in nuclear technology, the risk of accidents is being reduced. As a result, many countries are now considering nuclear power as a solution to high oil and gas prices, increasing demand for electricity, and worries about pollution and climate change. Drawbacks (disadvantages): On the other hand, opponents of nuclear power worry about the safety of power stations. The Chernobyl disaster was an example of the dangers of a nuclear accident, and safety fears mean that the building of new nuclear power stations is unpopular; nobody wants to live near one. Apart from the risk of accidents, nuclear waste disposal is a significant problem as there is currently no way to decontaminate radioactive material. Waste has to be contained and stored, which is expensive and raises security issues. Another worry is that terrorists could steal...
Words: 1002 - Pages: 5
...Brittany Money Professor Costello R&W 305W 22 October 2014 Nuclear Power a Solution to Climate Change Climate change is all around us whether someone believes it for themselves or not. From the melting ice caps in Antarctica to the rising seas of Bangladesh. The increase of temperature in the earths atmosphere are rapidly getting worse and the reason for it is the burning of fossil fuels. We as a country, need to make a change in how we produce electricity to help our earth become a more sustainable place for our future children. A great solution to this issue we are facing is nuclear power. Nuclear power has its advantages and disadvantages just like any other form of energy. Although I believe that the advantages out weigh the disadvantages making it the perfect fit to replace fossil fuels. Nuclear power does have its disadvantages, with one being the fear of nuclear accidents. What happened at Chernobyl was the worst nuclear accident the world has seen. Although even that accident isn’t as damaging to the earth as what is happening to our earths atmosphere as we omit carbon dioxide, burning fossil fuels to power our electricity (The Right 61). Another disadvantage of nuclear power is the radioactive waste that the reactors produce. If not stored properly this waste can omit radiation into the air harming many people around the plant. Even with the potential harm scientist are able to dispose of it by solidifying it then it gets buried underground (Chandler). When its...
Words: 825 - Pages: 4
...The treat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. It is a common knowledge that there is a need for alternative sources of energy due to external factors. Tat is why the use of nuclear technology has become a very debated topic in recent years. Some people argue that nuclear power does more good than harm. I cannot completely agree with this point of view because I’m still in two minds. On the one hand, there are valid arguments in favor of using nuclear energy. First of all, it does not have an impact on greenhouse effect because it provides electricity without producing large amount of carbon emissions. Moreover, atomic energy is inexpensive in comparison with fossil fuels. In addition to that, introducing nuclear technologies allows countries, which do not have the access to organic fuels to avoid dependence on foreign import of these minerals. On the other hand, there are extremely significant dangers that should be taken into consideration. Firstly, some countries can use nuclear technology as a means to develop nuclear weapons with terrorist aims. Secondly, there is no safe solution for disposing of hazardous waste. Furthermore, the risks of a catastrophic nuclear accident are considerable. In evidence, it will be enough to remember consequences of an accident in Chernobyl and Japan. In...
Words: 284 - Pages: 2
