閱讀與觀察札記

此篇是關於核四廠該不該建的英文作文,看標題即知我採取的立場.

在此不貼初稿,直接貼修正後的稿子.

    With climate change, the extreme weather conditions are becoming normal natural phenomenon.  It will be hotter in summer and colder in winter every year.  Human activities are influenced by climate change and people are facing energy shortages. Electricity will be a hot issue in Taiwan this summer, especially after the controversial construction of the new Taipei County Nuclear Power Plant, which has been a disputed and suspended issue repeatedly during the past decade, is projected to finish.  However, scientific research shows that nuclear power is not really as safe and environmentally-friendly as our government claims.  The best method to manage energy is to promote the renewable energy industry, proper energy usage, and green companies.

    Why has the government held the view that nuclear power was the important energy supply over the past ten years?  A few reasons account for our government’s instance.  First, big factories cannot afford the massive financial loss out of repeated brownouts, especially in summer.  Among the industries in Taiwan, technology industry depends on electricity supply greatly.   With the thriving of technology industry over the past decades, the quantity of electrical power supply did not meet its needs gradually.  Besides, this industry had a great contribution to Taiwan’s economic growth.  Once it suffered frequently from electricity shortage, national economic growth would be slowed down.  Second, nuclear power generates a higher amount of electrical energy in comparison of hydroelectric power and fossil fuels.  In one single plant, nuclear energy from one kilogram of uranium is approximately equivalent to 100,000 kilograms of oil.  What’s more, nuclear power emits relatively low amounts of CO₂ compared to fossil fuels.  In other words, it is “a zero emissions technology.”  As a result, entrepreneurs lobbied the government to construct a fourth nuclear power plant.

    However, there are disadvantages of this so-called clean energy.  In the first place, its waste disposal has been controversial.  The wasted hot water kills coral reefs.  In addition, the appointed nuclear waste landfill is not welcomed by the local residents.  No one wants this neighbor, nuclear waste, because it is life-threatening.  Second, a new nuclear power station will not meet currently people’s demand for electricity.  It takes many years to build this plant according to the need of electrical energy at that time.  The last issue is safety.  If there is a nuclear power leak or even an explosion, there will be a catastrophe, like the nuclear power plant accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986.  According to an experiment by Atmospheric Sciences of National Taiwan University, radiation would float very quickly from the fourth nuclear power plant to Taipei basin.  It would take an hour to Taipei in case of a radiation leak. 

    Actually, the root of the problem is the mismanagement of electricity.  Population is growing and we will never have enough energy to use if we don’t change our behavior. We should be using electricity efficiently and transforming high energy-consumption and pollution industries into greener ones.  Consequently, our government should pay more attention to the electricity usage and the renewable and green energy industries.

    Personally speaking, we can reduce our energy consumption and electricity bills in our daily life.  For instance, air conditioners should only be used when the temperature indoors is over 28℃.  Other ways are as follows: unplug the electric devices that are not in use and use energy-saving mode on appliances. 

    As for the government, it should help some industries transform into environmentally friendly ones.  Energy intensive industries use almost 40% of all energy but contribute no more than 4% of GDP.  The electric price for industry should be increased so as to gradually eliminate highly energy consumption and pollution industries.  The government can provide suggestions for green industries.  These include energy saving appliances or facilities, environmental buildings, wind farms and so on.  At the same time, the present energy policy should be re-examined.  Rules on the renewable energy should be properly established.  The authorities should also encourage and finance these industries.   

    A low-carbon economy, a trend and consensus internationally, will clean up industry and save our planet.  More and more advanced countries, such as Germany, do not put nuclear power as their first option for generating electricity.  Instead, alternative energy is their first choice.  Taiwan is a small country but has the potential to develop sustainable industries.  In order to compete with other nations, our government should have a clear vision and a strong will to realize it.  For ourselves and our future generations, we should supervise the government and our ways of energy usage.  After all, for the present, Earth is the only planet we can live.