October 2004 - Vol 64, No.2 - International Technology and ...

RESOURCES IN TECHNOLOGYcosts of renewable and advanced fossilfuel technologies as each competeswith the other. Currently, nuclearpower is most suitable for electricityproduction, as are hydro, wind, andsolar power. However, technologicalprogress is likely to make possible theeventual cost-effective production ofchemical fuels, including hydrogen,from all these sources. They couldthus help meet transportation energyneeds now largely met by oil. Finally,nuclear power might also be extensivelyused in the future for seawaterdesalination, thereby helping toaddress another pressing challenge ofsustainable development—theprovision of plentiful, safe, and securesupplies of clean freshwater for agrowing global population (IAEA,2004).SummaryThe choice of what type of energytechnologies to use in order to advancesustainable development and reduceharmful emissions remains a sovereignchoice of every country. Every countrywill need a mix of energy technologies(hydro, solar, wind, nuclear) that issuited to that country’s geography andavailable resources. Given the advantagesof nuclear power in contributingto sustainable development objectives,it should be an important mix in manycountries. The world will face majorenergy challenges in the twenty-firstcentury, and the energy industry willface a future filled with change. Thereare unanswered questions about theevolving competitive environment forelectricity, and uncertainty about thefuture price and supply of fossil fuels.Questions abound about the economicviability of solar and other renewableenergy sources as well as how to managegrowth in electricity demand byincreasing efficiency of use whiledealing with the increasingly stringentenvironmental restrictions on theburning of fossil fuels. The answers tothese questions will require decisionsto be made by an informed and educatedpopulace, taking into considerationall social, economic, and ethical issuesby examining the balancing of benefits,uncertainties, and competing interests.One thing is certain—nuclear energywill play a vital role in the future.Design Brief—The Factsand Not the Myths ofNuclear PowerThe development of nuclear power,both fission and fusion, has the potentialto meet the world’s energy needsin a responsible manner, promotingconservation of natural resources andsustainable economic growth, not onlyin the United States but also on aglobal scale. With carbon emissionsnow threatening the very stability ofthe biosphere, the security of ourworld requires a massive transformationto clean energy. Renewable energysources such as solar, wind, andbiomass can help, but nuclear energypower has the potential for clean,safe, environmentally friendly energyon a massive scale, and it can bemade available to every country in theworld. Unfortunately there are stillmany misconceptions and myths surroundingnuclear power.ChallengeThomas Jefferson said, “I know nosafe depository of the ultimate powersof the society but the people themselves;and if we think them notenlightened enough to exercise theircontrol with a wholesome discretion,the remedy is not to take it from them,but to inform their discretion.”Your challenge is to create a series ofpublic service announcements to bepublished in a variety of media formats,illuminating the need for arenewable, safe, environmentallybenign energy source that will meetthe world’s growing population needsand encourage sustainable growth.Your media campaign can be for anyrenewable energy source for whichyour presentation can be justifiablysupported by your research. You canpresent both negative and positiveaspects of the energy solution youhave chosen, but your campaign mustfocus on factual information.ReferencesBeck, P. & Grimston, M. (2002). Double orquits? The global future of civil nuclearenergy. Retrieved June 14, 2004, fromwww.riia.org/pdf/research/sdp/Nuclear_Double_or_Quits.pdfInternational Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA). (2004). Focus on sustainabledevelopment. Retrieved June 15, 2004,from www.iaea.org/Publications/Factsheets/English/sustaindev-e.pdfInternational Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA). (2004). Nuclear power’schanging future. Retrieved July 26,2004, from www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/2004/prn200405.htmlInternational Technology EducationAssociation (ITEA). (2000, 2002).Standards for technological literacy:Content for the study of technology.Reston, VA: Author.Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). (2004).Nuclear facts. Retrieved August 5,2004, from www.nei.org/doc.asp?catnum=2&catid=106Perera, J. (2004). Fuelling innovation,countries look to the next generation ofnuclear power. Retrieved July 30, 2004,from www.iaea.org/Publications/Magazines/Bulletin/Bull461/article15.pdfUnited States Census Bureau (2004).Global population at a glance.Retrieved July 17, 2004, fromwww.census.gov/ipc/prod/wp02/wp02-1.pdfWorld Nuclear Association (2004). ForSustainable strategy, indispensablenuclear energy. Retrieved July 28,2004, from www.world-nuclear.org/sustdev/one_page_flyer/index.htmStephen L. Baird is atechnology educationteacher at BaysideMiddle School,Virginia Beach,Virginia and adjunctfaculty member atOld DominionUniversity. He can be reached viae-mail at slbaird@vbschools.com24 October 2004 • THE TECHNOLOGY TEACHER