2011 MJC GP JC2 E-Learning Module Environmental Concerns - Nuclear Energy

1. Nuclear Energy Environmental Concerns General Paper 2011 MJC JC2 Continue

5. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Previous Excellent! I see we’re all ready to start clicking. Now go back and re-join the lesson.

6. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Previous Home page Why is there the need for a clean and green energy source? Why can nuclear energy be this source? What are the risks involved? Who (and in which countries) face the most potential risks in the use of nuclear energy as an energy source? Is nuclear energy suitable for Singapore? (Assignment) End slide show

8. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy And finally… How much you get from this E-Lesson depends on how conscientious you are towards learning. It would be a good idea for you to take note of key-ideas , and make the effort to jot down your thoughts that will help you recall and understand the issues. Let us begin… Previous Continue Home

10. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy A quick look at how electricity is traditionally generated… Why the need for a clean and green energy source? Previous Continue Home For more information, click the info button on the left. Excellent website, but don’t get carried away clicking all the links  You can always return to it later after you have finished this E-Lesson.

11. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy … what people have been saying about it… Why the need for a clean and green energy source? Previous AFTER you are done, click here to continue Home

14. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Taken from: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_oil_con-energy-oil-consumption Last viewed: Jan 2011 We’re #23, not #1… Whew! Look in the crystal ball… Interactive chart on global energy consumption Why the need for a clean and green energy source? Previous Continue Home This table shows the number of barrels of oil consumed per day by different countries to generate electricity. Based on what you have learnt about the impact of burning fossil fuels, your hands should be clammy looking at this. … and why we should be concerned about it.

16. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Why the need for a clean and green energy source? Inside the crystal ball… (Prediction 1) Based on 2010 reports, the U.S. Energy Information Administration* (EIA) predicts: Total world consumption is expected to increase by 49% from 2007 to 2035 Continue

17. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Why the need for a clean and green energy source? Inside the crystal ball… (Prediction 2) Based on 2010 reports, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts: Largest projected increase in energy demand is from non-OECD* economies Previous Return to main slide *OECD – Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Comprising of 30 countries, the OECD provides a forum for discussion of issues and reaching agreements, some of which are legally binding.

22. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy What are the risks involved? Three Mile Island Accident The United States 1979 Chernobyl Disaster Ukraine 1986 Case studies Click on the pictures to learn more about each incident. Previous Continue Home

23. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy What are the risks involved? Event Occurred in 1979, the Three Mile Island accident was a partial core meltdown in one of the pressurized water reactors. Impact, Consequences The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated the accident and reported very little radiological contamination in the environment. This was attributed to the fact that the accident happened outside of the facility. Implication and Learning Points Importantly, this accident highlighted the wrong decisions made because the operators were overwhelmed with information, much of it irrelevant, misleading or incorrect. As a result of the TMI-2 incident, nuclear reactor operator training has been improved. Before the incident it focused on diagnosing the underlying problem; afterward, it focused on reacting to the emergency by going through a standardized checklist. For more information, visit the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident Return to main slide

24. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy What are the risks involved? Event On 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in northern Ukraine, a testing error caused an explosion – the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated by inadequately trained personnel. Impact, Consequences During a radioactive fire that burned for 10 days, 190 tons of toxic materials were expelled into the atmosphere. The wind blew 70% of the radioactive material into the neighboring country of Belarus. The explosion of the reactor at Chernobyl released 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the time of the accident, about 7 million people lived in contaminated territories, including 3 million children. About 5.5 million people – including more than a million children – continue to live in contaminated zones. Afflictions include cancer, birth defects, and genetic mutations. For more information, click on the following links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster http://www.chernobyl-international.org/documents/chernobylfacts2.pdf (PDF document) Return to main slide

30. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Is nuclear energy suitable for Singapore? Previous Continue Home Assignment To what extent is nuclear energy a suitable alternative for Singapore to meet her energy needs?

31. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Is nuclear energy suitable for Singapore? Previous Assignment To what extent is nuclear energy a suitable alternative for Singapore to meet her energy needs?

34. Environmental Concerns Nuclear Energy Helpful websites Reminder: You are NOT supposed to copy-and-paste any of these arguments. These websites help you contextualise the issue of nuclear energy to Singapore. You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to source for your own resources and articles. Speech made by PM Lee Hsien Loong during the 2010 Singapore International Energy Week. http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/mica/speech/S-20101101-1.html Written in 2008, author offers his opinion on some of the concerns raised. http://www.post1.net/lowem/entry/singapore_nuclear_power_not_ruled_out Article written by a student (NUS Political Association). http://www.nuspa.org/cms/?q=node/38 Is nuclear energy suitable for Singapore? Previous

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