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increase the possibility of being a potential target of a terrorist
attack. However the benefits of nuclear power significantly outweigh
the risks.
In the shadow of the recent Fukushima disaster, we now have a
promising solution to prevent any future nuclear accidents, thorium
reactors. Also known as a molten salt reactor, thorium reactors, as
the name suggests, use thorium as a fuel rather than uranium.
Thorium is very similar to uranium, except it is three times more
abundant in the Earth’s crust. Thorium reactors are immune to
melting down and blowing up, because they do not rely on huge
amounts of water to cool them. Alternatively, they have a passive
cooling system. Furthermore, thorium reactors are resistant to
becoming nuclear weapons, as the fuel is unsuitable for use as a
nuclear weapon.
Australia must consider implementing nuclear power as it is an
auspicious option for the future. It is also both a stable and reliable
base load of energy. In spite of costly building expenses, the upkeep
of a nuclear power station is relatively cheap. Nuclear power is also
extremely clean and environmentally friendly. Although the
problem of radiation and waste remains unresolved, scientists are
working to develop new technology to safely and securely manage
and store the radioactive waste produced by nuclear fission. This
year, the
G7
leaders pledged to make a substantial reduction in
carbon emissions by 2050 and to totally eliminate the use of fossil
fuels by 2100. Australia would not be able to even meet demands for
our current energy consumption using only renewable energy
sources. We may be apprehensive to accept nuclear power as a
consequence of former nuclear accidents, but we must remember
that although we are products of our past, we don’t have to be
prisoners of it.
‘
Nuclear Power
In Australia
10