Persuasive Speech

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• published: 14 Mar 2016
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Title: Nuclear Power Specific Purpose: Persuade that Nuclear power isn’t the best way to produce energy Thesis: Although nuclear power seems to be an efficient way to produce power, the process comes with many downfalls. Introduction Although nuclear power seems to be an efficient way to produce power, the process comes with many downfalls. While nuclear power generates an astonishing amount of energy in a timely and efficient manner, and is one of the most reliable ways to produce power, people often do not understand that there is a long list of cons in creating nuclear power. One of the biggest issues with nuclear energy is that it produces large amounts of radioactive waste. Another problem with nuclear energy is the inevitable accident that is bound to occur. And lastly, the expenses paid to create, transport, and store nuclear energy. I. Benefits to Nuclear Energy A. Powerful i. Nuclear Power creates 3.7 million times as much energy as the same amount of coal (Nuclear Tourist 2011) B. Efficient i. Can be run 24/7 and produce at 92 percent capacity factor, while coal is 60.9 percent (Nuclear Energy Institute 2015) C. Reliable i. Nuclear energy does not rely on natural resources such as wind and solar energy Transition: Now that you know some of the benefits of Nuclear Energy, lets move on to the negatives of Nuclear Power. II. Radioactive Waste (Rinkesh 2015) A. At warm temperatures the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power will eventually destroy any container it is held in. B. Radioactive waste is dangerous and cause harm to living things i. Can kill if exposed to too much radiation ii. Is connected to increase risk in thyroid cancer C. Takes years to reach an adequate level of safety III. Accidents A. 1986 Chernobyl Accident (World Nuclear Association 2015) i. Total of 30 people died ii. 7,000 cases of thyroid cancer in people who were under 18 at the time of the accident iii. 30% of uranium dioxide fuel escaped into the atmosphere iv. The accident was a combination of flawed structural integrity of the reactors and unknowledgeable workers B. March 11, 2011 Fukushima Accident (World Nuclear Association 2016) i. A 15-metre tsunami disabled 3 Fukushima reactors ii. There was a 10 Km evacuation iii. The reactors were emitting radioactive waste and the cooling ponds were unable to keep up with the waste causing some waste to enter the atmosphere Transition: Although Nuclear Power is one of the cheapest forms of energy, the majority of its expenses comes in transporting and storing its waste. IV. Expensive A. With all of the waste created it must be monitored for years i. Building a plant is an expensive process on its own ii. As well as obtaining nuclear reactors and paying for their upkeep iii. While also paying people to mine for uranium for use in the reactors iv. After nuclear energy is created the waste must cool for an extended period of time v. Then blended with glass followed by further cooling vi. People must monitor the radioactive waste at all times to insure there are no issues with leaks, as well as preventing the waste from possibly falling into the wrong hands Conclusion Although nuclear power seems to be an efficient way to produce power, the process comes with many downfalls. With the few benefits of power, efficiency, and reliability, I hope you now have a better understanding as to why nuclear power is not the safest way to produce energy. First, with the ridiculous amounts of waste produced in the creation of nuclear power. Secondly the inevitability of unavoidable accidents occurring creating major consequences not just locally but around the world. And lastly with and extensive list of expenses created not just in the process but by all of the attention needed from the radioactive waste created. Sources Nuclear Energy Institute. (2015, July). Fact Sheets. Retrieved from http://www.nei.org/Master-Document-Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets/Quick-Facts-Nuclear-Energy-in-America Nuclear Tourist. (2011, April 1). Reasons for Using Nuclear Power As an Energy Source. Retrieved from http://www.nucleartourist.com/basics/reasons1.htm Rinkesh. (2013). Advantages Of Nuclear Energy. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_NuclearEnergy.php Rinkesh. (2015). Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy - Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved from http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-nuclear-energy.php World Nuclear Association. (2015, November). Chernobyl Accident. Retrieved from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx World Nuclear Association. (2016, March). Fukushima Accident. Retrieved from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-accident.aspx