_Is_Nuclear_Energy_a_Clean_Solution?

Link to Prezi Presentation: http://prezi.com/wsbn8svb-0rm/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

=Matrix Presentation 1: Is Nuclear Energy a Clean Solution?= There is strong correlation between any country’s energy consumption and the quality of life citizens of that nation have. Energy consumption levels of well-developed countries are much higher than those of third world countries[1]. However, with rapid grown of economies of big countries like China, Brazil and India energy crisis seems to be more inevitable than ever. The situation is also clouded by diminishing reserves of fossil fuels like coal and oil. On top of that, knowing how unsustainable fossil fuels are pushes many scientists towards cleaner energy sources. As such, many new ways of getting a cleaner and more sustainable energy are being considered. However, since energy industry and many individuals who work in it generate profit that sometimes exceeds GDP of some countries, making any changes within the industry is extremely hard. Solar and wind energy sources have evolved to account for energy deficit. These two were sponsored by the government and even oil corporations. One source that has been left out is nuclear. Today’s nuclear technology is in its fourth generation and is far more superior energy source than coal or oil. One pound of Uranium, which is a size of a fingertip, has an equivalent of five thousand barrels of oil. When it comes to safety, nuclear energy is considered to be second safest energy source next to wind. However, since the whole nuclear energy started as a bomb put a negative side on it. There is distrust from people about using it which is often related to bombs and millions of people being killed. Also, disasters that happened with nuclear plants in Chernobyl and Fukushima made it look even worse. With recent advances in nuclear technology it became significantly safer and also renewable. New nuclear plants don’t produce waste and, in fact, can use nuclear warheads from the bombs. However, since oil companies don’t want to see such a stronger competitor on the energy market they choose to sponsor solar energy instead because they know it will never replace fossil fuels. Also, it is not always sunny which means we need fossil fuels as a backup.

[1] “Pandora’s Promise.” Accessed April 6, 2014. http://pandoraspromise.com/.

=References and Annotations:=

Robert Stone, director of the film, is a British-American documentary filmmaker. His work has been screened at dozens of film festivals around the world and received numerous awards. He is known in large part for his innovative use of archival material in historical documentaries. The film addresses energy consumption issue and the myths related to nuclear energy. It shows a direct connection between a population’s access to energy and better quality of life. More advanced countries consume more energy. The narrators of the movie predict an exponential energy growth that fossil fuels alone cannot solve. For credibility the film features environmentalists and energy experts like Michael Shellenberger, Gwyneth Cravens and Richard Rhodes who have changed their minds about the use of nuclear energy and have come to realize that it could be perhaps the only feasible solution for the increasing consumption of energy over the world. It goes over the negative history of nuclear energy and explains what was done wrong and how it was fixed. Finally, it went over the accident in Chernobyl. There were people who protested the nuclear energy because they thought millions of people died due to exposure to radiation. However, the actual number that died was 28 people. Also, it was mentioned that none of those cases had reported cancer contrary to the popular belief. “The whole nuclear business was started for a bomb. I think that put a negative side on it.” “I’m against nuclear but what if what I’ve been thinking all this time is wrong?” “Most people kind of think we are gonna be reducing our energy consumption. Actually, we just find more and more uses for it.” **6. Explain how the argument and evidence in the text supports your research focus. ** The fact that more and more professional environmental activists are switching in favor of using nuclear energy makes me think that there is hope in this type of energy. I used the current energy consumption levels presented in the film. Also, I used the list of stakeholders and media impact.
 * 1. Full citation:** “Pandora’s Promise.” Accessed April 6, 2014. http://pandoraspromise.com/.
 * 2. Where does the author work, what else has s/he written about, and what are her/his credentials? **
 * 3.** ** What is the main topic or argument of the text? **
 * 4. Describe at least three ways that the main topic or argument is fleshed out. **
 * 5.** ** What three quotes capture the critical import of the text? **
 * 7.** ** List at least two details or references from the text that you have used in your presentation and wiki post. **

“Nuclear Energy: Pros and Cons.” //Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit//. Accessed April 6, 2014. [].

“HowStuffWorks ‘How Nuclear Power Works.’” //HowStuffWorks//. Accessed April 6, 2014. http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm.