Nuclear power for future energy supplies

Nuclear power for future energy supplies Should Nuclear Power Be Developed For Future Energy Supplies? Introduction I am writing this essay to debate the idea of having nuclear power developed for future use by us. This takes on a major issue and covers many aspects of our nations energy use both in present and for the future. When we think about nuclear power we do not automatically think of it as a non renewable energy source. This is because it is not part of the fossils fuels; coal, oil and gas, which we all know will not last us as reliable energy sources for much longer. However, nuclear power is a non renewable energy source and has many dedicated power stations located around the UK. Nuclear energy is considered an important fuel to produce energy as it currently provides 28% of this countrys needs, compared to the feeble 1% of renewable energy used. How Is Nuclear Energy Made? Nuclear energy is obtained by processes of nuclear fission and fusion. In nuclear fission the energy is released by splitting the atom sending a neutron blasting through the nucleus, this makes other neutrons fly off at high speeds setting up a chain reaction. Nuclear fusion is the opposite by which the nuclei of two or more atoms fuse together, in the process mass is lost and this is then converted into energy. Production of energy takes place inside a nuclear reactor which consists of a core surrounded by a thick concrete shield, steam pipes, turbines and a final (electricity) generator. After the mining of the ore (this is mainly uranium or plutonium ore) has been done the pure uranium is turned into uranium dioxide which is made into pellets. Several of these pellets are placed inside fuel rods. Usually there are about 90,000 fuel rods placed in the core of a reactor. Nuclear fission takes place inside the core by which the isotope splits using the atoms in the uranium dioxide from the pellets. The immense heat produced by this is carried away by fluid circulating through the reactor core. Once the fluid becomes heated it is used to produce steam, this steam drives the turbines which in turn rotate the main electricity generators to produce clean, reliable electricity. During this process there is a massive amount of radiation and so this is why the core is surrounded by a thick concrete shield to absorb this radiation. Arguments For Using And Developing Nuclear Power To satisfy our general needs of heating our water, heating our homes, cooking our food, powering our appliances and lighting our rooms, we need to retrieve energy from the many many methods available to us. One of these choices is nuclear energy. There are very good reasons why it should be considered and developed further, to be used in the future. Firstly, by comparing it to the other non renewable energy sources (coal, oil and natural gas), nuclear power is a very clean energy as it does not produce any of the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which lead to the greenhouse effect or global warming. This problem is significant for the disintegration of the ozone layer when fossil fuels are burnt to release energy. Plus using this form of energy can save the reserves we have left of some of the precious fossils fuels like oil, which is said to run out within the next 50 years. Because nuclear power already supplies 28% of the UKs energy, it is also much more reliable at present than many of the renewable options we have available such as wind, solar and wave. A very important point and something that must be considered is that there can be huge amount of energy produced from just a small amount of nuclear element. Just one kilogram of uranium can produce as much energy as 3,000,000 kilograms of coal. Many people also feel that the ‘dumping of waste is a major issue. It is a concerning factor, but when looking at the real statistics, the nuclear power industry produces 2,000 tonnes of nuclear waste every year in the United States, whereas the coal fired power plants are producing a staggering 100,000,000 tonnes of ash and sludge which is blown into the atmosphere being breathed in by us plus contributing to global warming. Finally, with the nuclear energy economy being one of the safest in the world, producing the cheapest energy, development in the future can provide thousands of jobs and other opportunities of stable employment for many people. Arguments Against Using And Developing Nuclear Power As well as the very well argued points agreeing with the future use of nuclear energy, there is opposition to this expansion. There are many people and often groups that raise concerns about the safety of nuclear power. Nuclear waste that is produced from the nuclear power stations emits a very high amount of dangerous radiation that can stay radioactive for up to 25,000 years so it must be disposed of very carefully. Any accident is extremely dangerous and can kill any life in the surrounding area immediately. A case study that shows the extreme risk of development of nuclear power and what can happen if an accident occurs is the 1986 incident in Chernobyl, Russia. Here a nuclear reactor exploded killing 31 people, and around 140,000 people were evacuated as quickly as possible. This area around the explosion was contaminated by radiation and this will remain for a long period of time. The clouds of radioactive material that were also released by the explosion spread, reaching even as far as Sweden. The wind that blew from Chernobyl also came across to Britain and caused acid and other toxic rain that ruined farmland, making the soil radioactive. Farmers are still having problems in parts of Wales because of the radiation that has spread as a result of an accident at a nuclear power plant. Rather than looking at nuclear energys dangers, it also has a few faults. One of these are that a big part of the energy that is created must be blown away because it cannot be used. Nuclear power is also unable to adjust to a lower power production for night. These are faults which not only can cause problems but also inconvenience. Back to the issue of the nuclear waste, focusing away from its safety concerns, and more about where it can be disposed of without causing major problems. As it does stay radioactive for a very long time it must be discarded carefully. The pollution of this waste can cause serious effects on both people and the environment. An example of pollution has been in the Irish sea which was dreadfully polluted by the nuclear waste from the power plant at Sellafield in Cumbria. This fuel should ideally be stored in a safe environment either underground or in special concrete surrounded stainless steel liquid tanks. Another concern that is brought up with nuclear power is the potential for nuclear weapons to be developed. In these weapons would be uncontrolled nuclear fission where even if just a small amount of unstable uranium or plutonium is used, a bomb would explode. If more countries turned to the development of nuclear energy we could be at risk of production of these weapons by countries such those in the Middle East and terrorist groups, some believe it may even lead to a possible nuclear war in the future. Conclusion Looking at all of the arguments for and against the issue of whether nuclear power should be developed for future energy supplies, they are all valid reason that should be taken into account. As for my personal response, I feel that nuclear energy should not be developed as the building of more power plants could cause harmful effects, especially if accidents occur. I feel that the chance of accidents taking place are far more likely if this source of energy is developed. This can lead to the deaths of many lives due to the sheer amount of radiation. Plus looking at the locations of nuclear power plants in the UK, they are mainly in remote areas, for obvious reasons, and also near the sea. More of these can lead to their expansion in more populated areas putting many lives in danger. I also feel that instead of turning to another non renewable energy from fossil fuels, it is far better to invest and research into the development of renewable sources which will give us clean, cheap energy in the future. By looking at changing the technology for these alternatives now, we can help plan for the future. However, if the nuclear industry was developed then when reserves of uranium and plutonium ran out we would once again be searching for other ways. So overall I feel that nuclear energy, although cheap and reliable, is not the best option to be developed for future use, not just in this country but around the world.

Capitalism and Freedom Book Review

Warren Bryan 3/5/12 Book Review: Capitalism & Freedom Author: Milton Friedman Milton Friedman’s Capitalism & Freedom is one of the most important books regarding economics of the 20th century. His thoughts laid the groundwork for the emerging modern conservative movement, which was an evolution of the 19th century beliefs surrounding liberalism.Friedman’s major themes of his most famous work consist of the roles of competitive capitalism, as well as the role that government should play in a society â€Å"dedicated to freedom and relying primarily on the market to organize economic activity. † The book touches on a multitude of other economic issues; however, his first two chapters regarding the major themes of the book are most relevant in today’s study of economics. Most of Friedman’s viewpoints I agree with in terms of promoting freedom and its necessity to promoting prosperity and growth.Friedman, however, lacks a certain level of clarity regardi ng the specificity of his definition of â€Å"economic freedom† and the other variants of â€Å"freedom. † Friedman argues that a free market economic policy is by definition part of freedom, or in his words, â€Å"†¦freedom in economic arrangement is itself a component of freedom broadly understood, so economic freedom is an end in itself. † This is one of his prime arguments supporting his claim that free market economic policies are critical for a free society.The implications surrounding this statement are that anyone who is against a free market economic policy is also against the American values of liberty and the liberal tradition, or as Friedman puts it, â€Å"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. † What he lacks in his explanation concerning the connection between freedom and economic freedom is his disregard to define the concept of freedom, whether concerning its origins, how it developed, or what it means specifically relative to all the different economic issues it applies to.For example he lists several present day scenarios that violate one’s economic freedom: having to pay 10% of income to social security, not being able to follow an occupation of your own choice without professional licensure, being forbidden to exchange certain items because of quotas that prevent such exchanges, being thrown in jail for setting prices lower than the manufacture specified (fair trade laws), and the farmer who cannot grow the amount he desires because of price supports.Under complete economic freedom, the government should not be able to tell us how or where to spend our money, dispose of our goods, or how we should labor because it’s in violation of our individual freedom, or our entitlement to property and labor, according to Friedman. Surely these are all characteristics of being free, however his explanation is certainly not the end all-be all. It is more rela tive to examine what is exactly entitled to the elements of freedom.A famous example comes from a Supreme Court Justice who said, â€Å"My freedom to move my fist must be limited by the proximity of your chin. † This coincides with John Locke’s paradoxical claim that one must give up certain rights to achieve freedom. An absolute interpretation of â€Å"freedom† is just not plausible because of the endless amounts of extenuating circumstances that would, and should, interfere with ones freedom. The very nature of society and law places these restrictions on absolute freedom because your actions are limited by the protection of another’s entitlements.Friedman acknowledges this impossibility and admits that there is still an important role for the government to make the rules and act as â€Å"umpire† toward them. He concludes on this thought stating, â€Å"What the market does is to reduce greatly the range of issues that must be decided through pol itical means, and thereby minimize the extent to which government need participate directly in the game. † Friedman more narrowly believed the government should intervene with â€Å"indivisible matters. † A problem with this claim regarding indivisible matters is he never clarifies what constitutes an indivisible matter.The example he gives is in relation to national defense, â€Å"I cannot get the amount of national defense I want and you a different amount. With respect to such indivisible matters we can discuss, argue, and vote. But having decided we must conform. † Thus, we shall let the government deal with indivisible matters where we must meet a consensus on basic things such as defense. How do we know that a flat tax, a tax reform mentioned by Friedman, counts as a matter that government should control whereas a tax for social security does not?The criteria must be explained for the difference between the two. Friedman believed that the market allows bett er proportional representation than the democratic process. â€Å"The market allows the voluntary exchange of goods between individuals without coercion. † â€Å"Exchange can therefore bring about co-ordination without coercion†¦no exchange will take place unless both parties do benefit from it. Cooperation is thereby achieved without coercion. † This implies that the free market system gives people what they want instead of what some group thinks they â€Å"ought to want. This is a basis for his belief in laissez-faire. Friedman believed that government intervention enforces conformity. Policies are implemented based on a majority vote, or at best a 2/3rd vote, thus imposing a view from the majority onto the minority. A valid point that Friedman fails to comprehend that government is necessary for exchange even to begin. What he fails to comprehend is that the market only exists by being founded on laws that the government has already defined.The perceived freed om of the market and tolerance of diversity is not the product of free markets, yet the benefit and consequence of agreements that makes the market possible to begin with. The possibility that people can exchange goods in the market place pre-supposed that there are contracts, notions of property, enforcement systems for violations and so on. The most crucial part in regards to what makes freedom possible in the market is directly related to the government, the very thing he believed enforced conformity.I argue that Friedman fails to recognize both types of freedoms, the first being the freedom to participate in the market but not the freedom in regards to the agreement undertaken to participate within the market in the first place, or the rules of the game. An analogy I found clarifies this concept. The analogy compares the games of checkers and chess. Chess has a more complex rule set than checkers does relative to the extent of moves allowable, however most people would probably choose to play chess for this very reason.Thus, a reduction in rules with the government doesn’t necessarily mean we are more economically free, but yet that we choose to â€Å"play† a different game. Surely I agree with Friedman that the more economic freedom the better, but it is ultimately the government’s job for how we settle the â€Å"rules of the game. † As Friedman’s book proves, as well as my arguments against some of his claims, it is very hard to establish a fine line between governments and markets. The degree of freedom will always be in question within a free society.However, there are many different degrees within these free markets and there can be multiple ways to draw the line between government and the market and still be classified as a â€Å"free market. † ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 4. [ 2 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 6 [ 3 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 9 [ 4 ].Howard Schwartz, â€Å"What Color Tie Do you Vote For? † Jan. 2007, 5 March 2012 [ 5 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 24 [ 6 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 33 [ 7 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 35 [ 8 ]. Milton Friedman, Capitalism And Freedom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962, 1982, 2002), 35

Pediatric Onset Type II Diabetes - 1854 Words

America is a melting pot of immigrants. First, the pilgrims, the Italians, the Polish came to America for opportunity. More recently, people from the Philippines, Syria, and Mexico have emigrated from their homes for a better future. Latinos are the largest minority in the US-making up more than 13.7% of total population. Type 2 Diabetes and its complications are a major health concern all over the world. Some racial and ethnic populations are more at risk for this disease. Type II Diabetes is well known as one of the most preventable diseases in modern times. The focus of this research paper is to determine why Latinx children are at an increased risk for Type II diabetes, compared to their peers. In order to understand the complexity of†¦show more content†¦The clinic that was chosen as it provides care for children who are typically uninsured or below the poverty level in the county. All of the subjects studied were classified as having type 1, type 2 diabetes, secondary diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance. Total 55 patients with diabetes, 17 met the criteria of type 2 diabetes, and the other 38 had type 1. The subjects age ranges ranged from 10 to 17 years, and boys and girls were evenly represented. The patients shared several important clinical features. The mean BMI for the group was 32.9, and everyone in the group was obese. The majority of the patients had been obese throughout childhood. The medical records of the Mexican-American children with type 2 diabetes were reviewed and summarized in 1994, and again in 1996. Data like ketones in blood, plasma glucose, insulin, and thyroid antibodies were noted. Their health history including birth weight and maternal history of gestational diabetes were obtained. Family histories of diabetes allowed assessment of the genetic aspects of the disorder. Eight siblings of the children performed 3-hour OGTTs. The siblings equally boys and girls, ranged in age from 8 to 16 years old. The survey that was distributed to 6 high schools in Ventura County were to assess the prevalence of diabetes in Hispanic youth. They asked for information from the school such as: school population, ethnic breakdown of students and the number of students with diabetes. Observed versus expected

Economic Liberalization Of The United Arab Emirates

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Economic growth is the increase in GDP from the markets. The two terms connect together for the UAE due to the economic growth allowing econ omic liberalization to flourish in the region to keep up with the modernity occurring. With economic growth increasing rapidly, the UAE has felt it necessary to liberalize its economy in order to diversify its region and allow for more opportunities domestically and internationally. In the United Arab Emirates, economic liberalization would mean thatShow MoreRelatedEconomic Liberalization Of The United Arab Emirates1194 Words   |  5 PagesPaper Research Question: Has economic liberalization been occurring in the UAE? Economic Liberalization in the United Arab Emirates The economy in the United Arab Emirates has experienced substantial increases in the last 40 years. The UAE’s capabilities with the pearling and oil industries have given the region its necessary budgets to expand so rapidly. 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