One of the most serious problems that threaten the world in the twenty first century is energy crisis. Our ever increasing exploitation of coal, oil and gas deposits unavoidably leads to the depletion of the reserves of those fossil fuels. Greatly worrying are the results of the research conducted by New England Institute of Energy. The research indicates that coal, oil and gas deposits will be exhausted within the next 450 years.
Therefore, the problem how to substitute the source of energy is becoming more and more urgent. There are few solutions to the problem. Among the alternative ways of supplying energy there is solar power, wind-power obtained from modern mills spinning in the wind or several types of water-power. Hydroelectric power can be generated from river water in mountainous areas. Moreover, electricity can also be created from sea water flowing in and out with the tides. Nevertheless, the best alternative means of supplying energy seems to be nuclear power. One tonne of uranium, nuclear fuel, produces as much energy as 20,000 tonnes of coal. Moreover, it is not harmful to the environment, as opposed to the coal power stations which produce a lot of carbon dioxide and other gases causing the greenhouse effect and acid rains. Scientific research conducted in the United States proved that 94 million cars would have to be taken off the American roads to keep as much carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as nuclear power plants do in the United States.
Although the energy produced by nuclear power plants seems to be a benediction of the twenty first century, there are many opponents of the use of this technique. Their main argument against building nuclear power station is danger connected with it. Many people are now afraid of the nuclear power, remembering the disastrous consequences of the accident in Chernobyl power plant in 1986. The disaster led to the radioactive contamination of vast areas of the world and its consequences still have impact on our health. However, if all the precautions and safety measures are observed, the risk of another catastrophe of this kind is low.
To sum up, taking into consideration all the data, nuclear power seems to be today the best alternative source of energy that will prevent the upcoming energy crisis.
