How should the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants be disposed of? Why has the nuclear industry failed to find an acceptable solution to the problem of nuclear waster disposal?
How should the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants be disposed of? Why has the nuclear industry failed to find an acceptable solution to the problem of nuclear waster disposal? I. INTRODUCTION Nuclear power is an important source of energy in many countries, even as the commissioning of new power reactors has slowed in recent years. More than 30 countries use nuclear power to meet approximately 16% of global energy needs, with the nuclear power component of total energy ranging from 76% in France (according to the International Atomic Energy Agency) to 1.4% in Brazil. In the U.S., approximately 20% of the electricity is generated from nuclear power.There are more than 400 nuclear power plants around the world, with more than 100 in the United States. However, additional nuclear power reactors are not currently being commissioned and have not been commissioned in the recent past. This is due to the issue of nuclear waste management that has become an increasingly major factor in the future and present use of nuclear power plants. The plants use either light water reactors or boiling water reactors and produce the greatest amounts of nuclear waste measured in curies /year. This waste is potentially hazardous to those who get exposed to it therefore it must be safely disposed of. In the US the Department of Energy (DOE) has been mandated by law to conduct research on
Implementation of national adaptation programs of action in order to provide immediate and urgent support to start adapting to current and projected adverse effects of climate change in Bangladesh.
PROJECT TITLE: Implementation of national adaptation programs of action in order to provide immediate and urgent support to start adapting to current and projected adverse effects of climate change in Bangladesh. ESTIMATED TOTAL BUDGET: US$ 250,000 ESTIMATED STARTING DATE: January 2008 DURATION: 18 months . Background of the Project: Bangladesh is a country situated on the northeastern side of South Asia bounded by India on the west and the north, by India and Myanmar on the east and by the Bay of Bengal on the South (see Map). Numerous rivers, small channels and backwaters intersect the country's plain lands. Much of the present plain was originally an estuary, which was filled up by the combined drainage system of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers (total length of drainage channel is estimated at more than 200,000 kms). These rivers continuously enrich the alluvial soil of the plains with heavy silt deposits. Thus, the rivers are of utmost importance in developing the country's vast flat alluvial land and in directly and indirectly influencing the economic activities through their impact on agriculture. The country has a typical monsoon climate as the monsoon wind, to a large extent, determines the country's rainfall and temperature. There are 3 distinct seasons: winter (November to February), which is relatively cool, sunny and dry; summer (March to
Flooding- A Global Perspective
Flooding- A Global
The Alpine Tundra Zone occurs on mountains throughout British Columbia, but especially along the Coast Mountains, in the north of the province
The Alpine Tundra Zone occurs on mountains throughout British Columbia, but especially along the Coast Mountains, in the north of the province, and in the southeast corner. It also extends beyond the borders of British Columbia to the north, east, and south. In southeastern British Columbia, alpine elevations start at about 2250 m, in the southwest at 1600 m, in the northeast at about 1500 m, and in the northwest at about 1500 to 1000 m. with limited areas of continuous vegetation cover. Soils are typically shallow and derived from weathered bedrock. Since cold retards the process of weathering, soils develop slowly in this zone. Occasional areas of permafrost also occur here. Terrain At the high altitudes typical of this zone, the terrain is often steep and rugged, with tall cliffs and rocky, snow-capped peaks. Much of the landscape is rock, ice, and snow, but some areas have stretches of flatter, gently rolling terrain, probably smoothed by glacial action. Glaciers also scoured out valleys and shaped steep cliffs and valley walls. When they melted, glaciers left a variety of special alpine landforms such as basin-like cirques. Talus slopes occur where gravity has caused frost-shattered fragments of rock to slide or fall down the slope. In alpine regions, the physical environment dictates the vegetation. Whether the terrain is gentle or extremely rough, the smallest
The Home Efficiency Audit.
Introduction The Home Efficiency Audit is a room-by-room guide that will help you identify and evaluate common environmental problems revolving around water efficiency, waste efficiency, and energy efficiency. Our energy consumption is a particularly important issue, which, through the generation of power from fossil fuels affects our surrounding environment (see: Greenhouse effect). And, in keeping a positive attitude towards the conservation of our environment and local ecosystems, this audit provides you with simple and attainable positive goals toward a more efficient household, and healthier living space. The Home Efficiency Audit will identify the major sources of poor efficiency in your home, giving information and tips on how to reduce your home inefficiency in your; basement, laundry area, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The Greenhouse effect The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon, without it the Earth would be about 30° C colder. Nevertheless, some scientists say that increased emissions of greenhouse gases have contributed to a manmade rise in global temperatures, sea level, droughts, forest-fires, heat waves, floods and storms. The emissions of greenhouse gases such as; carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, are all contributing to the greenhouse effect. Where the carbon dioxide, CO2, is the most important. The CO2 is the
Climate change and its impacts.
THE SUBJECT OF THIS PROJECT OPTION #5 CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS In the past 10 years a great deal of scientific evidence that earth is undergoing significant climate change due to what has been called "global warming". The climate weather change is expected to result in primary environmental impacts such as changing weather patterns (increased rainfall, storms, draughts) as well as a rise in sea levels due to melting of the polar icecap. The secondary impacts will be felt by people living in the affected regions - land use patterns will change and people will have to adjust to new environmental conditions. Some regions, of course, will benefit and some will be adversely affected. The state will have to be able to analyze the situation, plan for a new future, and mobilize resources. For this project assess some of the likely impacts on Brunei Darussalam - especially the possibility of a 0.5 to 1.0 meter rise in sea levels. What can be done in Brunei Darussalam to plan for and alleviate any negative impacts? International efforts have been underway (international meetings and agreements) to try to reverse the global warming trend by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. What has been the Brunei Darussalam government's policy in this regard? Examine their involvement in the international negotiations. INTRODUCTION WHAT IS "GLOBAL
Assessment of Indoor Environment.
University of Brighton School of the Environment Built Environment Area 2001-2002 BE240 INDOOR ENVIRONMENT 2 Assessment of Indoor Environment Student No. 98209214 Neil Anstee Introduction Thermal comfort A description, "the condition of mind that expresses satisfaction within the environment." CIBSE Guide Section A 1999 The factors that can determine comfort, are, measured singularly yet will work in combination. Thus giving us our indoor micro climate. An indoor climate is heavily influenced by the outdoor climate, and the combination of these factors determines what a humans judgement may be. Many scientists, rely on systematic analysis of thermal sensations. Yet in some ways one can obtain suitable judgement in public places, of getting experimental subjects to express their perception of the thermal environment, on a suitable scale while an experimenter measures their actual thermal environment. Light Environment Light, besides being indispensable for visual perception of the surrounding space for where work and leisure, also regulates metabolic and immuniological processes in the human body. Many artificial light sources do not produce the same photochemical responses in man as natural daylight. New layout concepts for relatively new buildings, produce deep rooms with low ceilings, (similar to that of the two canteens, 'Mezzanine' and 'Mithras
The use of GMOs: A Critique, from the EFSA
A discussion on the use of GMOs Contents Terms of reference.............................................................................................................ii Summary...........................................................................................................................iii About the EFSA................................................................................................................iv Chapter 1: Information presented at the Plenary session: The EFSA on GMOs: a critical analysis...........................................................................5 The potential problems of the EFSAs role within the EU regulatory framework..........5 The precautionary Principle and its strengths and weaknesses......................................5 GMO Authorisation Process' problems and strengths.......................................................6 Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, genetically modified food and feed...........................6 Directive 2001/18/EC , deliberate release into the environment of GMO....................8 Chapter 2: Issues and questions raised: The risk assessment and monitoring................................................................................10 Labelling and Traceability................................................................................................11 Accidental
Water Conservation Projects in agriculture in China
Water Conservation Projects in China Introduction Increasing water usage demands in China, as a result of a growing industry and a growing population, particularly urban populations, together with severe droughts and reduced snow melt has been placing strains on groundwater and surface water resources (European Science Parliament, 2010). Water in China is scarce, and unevenly distributed, so there is regional management to allocate water where needed. Any aims to cut water use will affect such allocations and in some areas farmers buy water in times of need - which is pricey and can have peak demand issues. High amounts of runoff from irrigation have associated problems such as salinisation due to mobilising soil bound salt and contamination of resources from chemical runoff due to the high amount of chemical fertilisers used. Recent news has suggested that already 21% of fresh water in China is unsuitable for use in agriculture due to pollution (Guardian Sustainable Business, 2010). In 2004 agriculture in China used a massive 3585.7 million m3 of water (China Statistic Census, 2006) - that's 65% of all water used and approximately 90% of this agricultural use is used for irrigation. Water shortages and predicted crises have prompted the Water Resources Ministry to promote the conservation of water, affecting agriculture by way of plans for increased irrigation efficiency
The Global Water Crisis
The Global Water Crisis The Global Water Crisis Excess and shortage By 2010 about 2.5 billion people in the world are projected to lack access to safe drinking water. At least 30 per cent of the population in China, India, Mexico and the U.S is expected to face severe water stress. By 2025, the supply of water in India will be 700 cubic km per year, while the demand is expected to rise to 1,050 units. Control over this scarce and vital resource, will of course, be a source of guaranteed profits. Vandana Shiva[1] "We're all downstream." Ecologists' Motto. [2] The has been much talk lately of the looming water crisis, it is a crisis that is picking up steam, scope, and receiving increasing attention, as more and more people become aware of its implications, consequences, environmental impact, and most alarmingly, its potential for economic gain. A year ago a paper on this subject would have been almost surprising in the facts that it would reveal. In the past month however, there has been a noticeable increase in the coverage and notice this crisis is receiving, and rightly so. "This collective resource is becoming rarer because it is being overexploited by a consumerist and pollution--generating humanity. The warning signs are clear: falling water tables, shrinking rivers and lakes, widespread pollution, creeping desertification."[3] These and many other signs are all