nuclear-news

Some believe the energy produced at nuclear power plants is the cleanest and safest form available. But if you look into the steps taken to produce this energy, you will find it can be extremely dangerous. The possibility of large amounts of radioactive material leaking into the environment is a reality. The decommissioning process, if not done sensibly, will increase the likelihood that radioactive material will be released into the environment.

This integrity of this process is perhaps more important than nuclear power plant operation as a whole. The placement of spent fuel rods is a decision that must be made with long-term consequences in mind. Materials used in the nuclear power plant will be radioactive for years to come.

Terrorism, natural disasters, leaks and accidents can lead to disasters that affect our communities. The thought of what may happen is frightening, but is something that we should all be aware of. With the busy lives we all lead, it is easy to fall prey to ignorance. As a third-year college student, I admit there are many issues to which I should pay more attention. It is our civic duty to take action on these issues. I am working to become an active citizen and wish that more citizens, especially young people, would do the same.

If we do not take the time to get involved now, there is no guarantee that life will be the same in the future. These are issues relevant to our lives and the lives of generations to come. No matter the differences we see when we look at each other on the outside, we must remember that we are all humans —every person matters when it comes to the fight for life.