"Measures to improve control over atomic energy"

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1 Delegates Study Guides General Assembly (GA) "Measures to improve control over atomic energy" Written by: Edoardo Pero and Sara Ferrari

2 Index 1. Definition of key terms 2. Introduction 3. Background information 4. Major countries involved 5. UN involvement 6. Useful links Definition of key terms Atomic Energy: energy created by the splitting apart of nuclei of atoms. Nuclear war: a war in which nuclear weapons are used Nuclear weapon: is an explosive device that derives its destructive force due to nuclear reactions that are caused in its internal part. There are two basic types of nuclear weapons: Fission Weapons and Fusion Weapons. A nuclear device no larger than traditional bombs can devastate an entire city by blast, fire, and radiation. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests In The Atmosphere that entered in action the 5th March 1970, who tests that the official nuclear weapons states are the one who assembled and tested nuclear devices before the 1st January Introduction Nowadays atomic energy is one of the biggest international issues, apart of this the control over atomic energy is a real international business, in fact atomic energy has a great impact on our society s economy. First of all, nuclear energy is an economy-friendly way of generating electricity, that combines advantages such as the security, reliability and very low greenhouse gases emissions. The building of nuclear power plants is very expensive, but the generators are relatively cheap to run, as the costs to do such operation are low and there is a low risk of inflations during such operation. Nuclear power plants provide electricity when it is needed. Plants are expected to operate for more than 60 years from the time they are built. The International Energy Agency (IEA) sees the global demand for electricity growing at 1.9% per year from now until Given this environment demand, associated with the desire to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions during the generation of electricity, the IEA plans a growth of an annualised 2.3% in nuclear generation over that period. Nuclear energy is also used for medical issues, under the name of Nuclear Medicine, in fact medical professionals use a tiny amount of radioisotope, chemical element that produces radiation, injecting it into patient s body. A specific organ picks up the radioisotope, this permits to see if the organ is working in the right way, this process leads to the discovering of tumors. Speaking from the political point of view, countries, for what regards nuclear weapons, are divided in various groups: the countries part of the NPT ( Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), U.S, Russia (succeeded to USSR), China, France and United Kingdom,these countries are the permanent countries of the UN s Security Council;

3 There are countries which do not support the NPT such as Pakistan, India and South Korea, countries that have not reveal their nuclear capacities (Israel), NATO s states that support nuclear condivision (Germany, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands and Turkey) and finally the ones who were in possession of nuclear weapons in the past (South Africa, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus). Background Information Coal will always remain economically attractive to many countries especially to China, the USA, India and Australia. This will be as long as the carbon emission are cost free. Many countries are very competitive regarding Gas for the base load power places, especially using combined cycle plants. In the early 2017 the World Nuclear Association published a project which consists in report notes that say the economic of new nuclear plants are very much influenced by their capital cost, that is the 60% at least of their cost level for electricity (LCOE). Nuclear safety is very important and it's the responsibility for every nation that uses nuclear technology. The IAEA ( International Atomic Energy Agency ) thanks to the Department Of Nuclear Safety and Security helps and rpoovides a strong and sustainable global nuclear framework to protect people, society and environment. This kind of framework provides with harmonized development and is the standards of security and safety are applied, as well as guidelines and requirements, it does not have the mandate to enforce the application within a country. Major countries involved The major countries involved in taking measures to improve control over atomic energy are the countries of China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States of America. some other important nations such as india and pakistan also own nuclear energy source power. Most countries have renounced nuclear weapons, recognising that possession of them would threaten rather than enhance national security. They have therefore embraced the NPT as a public commitment to use nuclear materials and technology only for peaceful purposes UN involvement The IAEA was set up by unanimous resolution of the United Nations in 1957 to help nations develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Allied to this role is the administration of safeguards arrangements. This provides assurance to the international community that individual countries are honouring their treaty commitments to use nuclear materials and facilities exclusively for peaceful purposes. Useful links - World Nuclear Association: - United Nations: NATO: -

4 BIBLIOGRAPHY - Nuclear Power Economics and Project Structuring - World Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June Nuclear Power Economics Nuclear Energy Costs - World Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June "Medicine & Scientific Research." Medicine & Scientific Research - Nuclear Energy Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June

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