Quinlan 1

Riley Quinlan
Mr. King
English I
7 November, 2016
Nuclear Energy and Its Impact in Modern Life
Over the past few decades, the effects of nuclear energy on Earths environmental
stability and mankind has been controversially discussed. This dispute has lingered in many
first-world countries after the release of the first two nuclear bombs by the United States in
World War II. The media has addressed this issue concerningly because atomic weapons carry
the power capable of obliterating life on earth. Many countries remain apprehensive about the
consequentially global devastation that may result from either accidental mishandling or
intentional warfare; However, some people believe that nuclear energy is a better alternative for
generating power for the world, and it could not be removed from the Earth due to lack of
correspondence between nations.
One perspective of the argument claims that nuclear energy has mainly been used
towards warfare and would only divide countries further (Pros). The destructive force in atomic
weapons is so massive that one detonation could eliminate billions of lives (Robock). The atomic
bombs dropped onto the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945, resulted in
120,000 instant deaths, along with impending radiation exposure that lethally followed (History).
In addition, with 25,000 active nuclear missiles in the world right now, multiple atomic
explosions could introduce nuclear winters to the atmosphere (Rossenfeld). Smoke and soot
from urban firestorms caused by multiple nuclear explosions would rise into the upper

Quinlan 2

troposphere, and global agricultural production would be affected from reduced precipitation
and significant cooling (Hallam). These ice-age conditions would increase malnutrition and
famine, and the majority of the human race would be significantly affected negatively (Robock).
First-eye accounts in Hiroshima reported that the World War II bomb emotionally, physically,
and mentally scarred those who survived (Roe). Japanese survivors endured severe mental
problems including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Hallam). Radiation exposure also damaged
their organs, inflicting chronic diseases upon the victims and disorders for future newborns
(Rossenfeld). Although nuclear energy is seen by some as a detrimental threat to the world,
others claim that the efficiently massive production of electricity would not exist without nuclear
energy.
The positive side to nuclear energy is that, if managed correctly, it can be an
environmentally friendly energy source. Nuclear power plants could replace traditional coal
power plants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while being inexpensive (Pros). Some
individuals state that the entire removal of nuclear weapons would be impossible to undergo,
since an agreement could not be made between all warhead-possessing countries (Pros). In
addition, if the United States deactivated their nuclear missiles only, then they would be
unprotected from terrorist groups obtaining nuclear warheads (Nuclear). With America as a
leading superpower, people argue that defense is essential to stabilizing global conflicts
(Nuclear).
The issue of nuclear energy affects mankind on a global scale. The power derived from
nuclear fission can be used for prosperous purposes, but it can also serve as deadly military
weapons. Media in the modern era confronts these concerns for worldwide safety as the

Quinlan 3

production of nuclear weapons increases. Presently, people remain apprehensive about the
possibility of nuclear warfare during their lifetimes. Atomic power, in many eyes, can either
serve as a protective and vital energy source for humanity, but it is also capable of wiping out all
life on earth within a short amount of time.

Works Cited
Hallam, John, Ira Helfand, John Loretz, and Steven Starr. "Climate and Health Effects of
Regional Nuclear War." Nuclear Darkness & Nuclear Famine. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.nucleardarkness.org/warconsequences/climateandhealtheffects/>.

Quinlan 4

History.com Staff. "Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." History.com. A&E Television

Networks, 2009. Web. 08 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki>.
"Nuclear." NATO HANDBOOK ON THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF NBC DEFENSIVE
OPERATIONS. Federation of American Scientists, 1 Feb. 1996. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
<http://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/doctrine/dod/fm8-9/toc.htm>.
"Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy." Conserve Energy Future. N.p., 07 Mar. 2015. Web. 09 Nov.
2016. <http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-nuclear-energy.php>
Robock, Alan. "Climate Effects of a Regional Nuclear Conflict." IPRC Climate. U.S. National
Science Foundation, 2007. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
<http://climate.envsci.rutgers.edu/pdf/iprc_climate_NW.pdf>.
Roe, Madeline. "The Psychological and Physical Effects of the Hiroshima in 1945." Washington
State University. N.p., 29 Aug. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
<http://history105.libraries.wsu.edu/fall2014/2014/08/29/atomicbombs/>.
Rossenfeld, Carrie. "Effects of Radiation on the Human Body." Atomic Archive. AJ Software
and Multimedia, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/radeffects.shtml>.