Nuclear Energy and the Global Problematique.
This paper by Fred Boyd dealt with nuclear power: the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity and the contribution of nuclear power in meeting energy demand. However, there are many other beneficial applications of nuclear science and technology, including radioisotopes for medical diagnosis, medical treatment, food preservation, industrial radiography, well logging, and polymerization. Fred pointed out that Canada was a world leader in the supply of medical and industrial radioisotopes at the time.
1998 Series 1 Number 25 Page 1
[There have been several radioisotope supply crises since the paper was written, including a major one in late 2007 caused by the safety-related shutdown of Canada’s reactor at Chalk River, ON. There was another in late 2022 because of a reactor problem in Belgium.
See < ARCHIVED – Lessons learned from the shutdown of the Chalk River reactor – Canada.ca >.
See <Tc-99m: How Canada’s affected by global isotope shortage | CTV News > Ed.]
Fred reviewed Canada’s early nuclear technology history, Canada’s electricity supply from nuclear energy (especially that of Ontario), weapons proliferation, safety, the Chernobyl accident, and environmental concerns surrounding nuclear energy (especially as compared to coal), and the nature of renewable energy sources (chiefly solar and wind).
Fred concluded that electricity from nuclear energy was advantageous because it had: no greenhouse gas emissions, ample fuel supply, competitive costs, concentrated wastes that can be managed safely, and technological safety.
Link to | Nuclear Energy and the Global Problematique.
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