Nuclear power is generated by using uranium, a metal mined in various parts of the world. The first large-scale nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England, in 1956. Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant as theirengines' source of energy. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world’s energy needed. It causes no pollution asburning fossil fuels do. There are so many advantages of nuclear power. Nuclear powercosts about the same amount as coal does, so it is not expensive to make. It does not emitsmoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium. It produces small amounts of waste. It is also reliable. On the other hand, nuclear power isvery dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it goes wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major disaster. People are increasingly concerned about this. In the 1990’s nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world. In 2005, it was the 2nd slowest-growing. Why is nuclear power very dangerous?

Question

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium, a metal mined in various parts of the world. The first large-scale nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England, in 1956. Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant as their engines' source of energy. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world’s energy needed. It causes no pollution as burning fossil fuels do.

There are so many advantages of nuclear power. Nuclear power costs about the same amount as coal does, so it is not expensive to make. It does not emit smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium. It produces small amounts of waste. It is also reliable.

On the other hand, nuclear power is very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it goes wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major disaster.

People are increasingly concerned about this. In the 1990’s nuclear power was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world. In 2005, it was the 2nd slowest-growing.

Why is nuclear power very dangerous?