Speech-Nuclear Power in Australia-Any advice?

[Pe_me]

I'm doing Nuclear Power in Australia for my public speaking SAC next term. My contention is that Nuclear Power should be not be allowed, but I could easily change this.
Has anyone done this topic? If anybody could share some useful resources (websites), or could give me any tips, or things I should make mention of, or anything that would boost my mark in this SAC (apart from actually speaking advice), it would be much appeciated.

[Russ]

I'm sure a google search will provide more than enough information on nuclear power, it's such a major topic.

If you're of the opinion that it shouldn't be allowed, then Fukushima is probably going to be a case study for you to mention. Avoid laboring the point and suggesting that nuclear power will result in those catastrophes; try a more reasoned approach and point to various historical situations (chernobyl, 3 mile island) as proof that nuclear power doesn't always go bad, but when it does it's generally horrific.

If I was writing it, I'd take the stance that nuclear power should be our last resort. Before we adopt a technology with very permanent consequences (ie nuclear waste) we should ensure that all other avenues aren't viable. Try and find some data so you can quote things like "geothermal or tidal energy has the potential to match nuclear power, but without the consequences".

I would stay away from wind farms or solar power as alternatives, they've been around for a while and everyone knows the problems (huge land commitment being the major one).

If you want references, there are hundreds in State of Fear by Michael Crichton.

[Pe_me]

Thanks for the advice, that sounds like a fantastic starting point. Any more advice by anybody would be much appreciated!

[taiga]

The capital costs are INCREDIBLY high. To set up appropriate infrastructure to facilitate for nuclear power would costs several millions of dollars, and more importantly cause for massive energy consumption during the building. I don't have any reliable sources, but I once read (albeit on the AYCC website) that it could take up to 15 years to offset the carbon dioxide pollution which was caused by creating the plant.

[Pe_me]

wow, thats amazing, 15 years is a long time, and we talk about it as being sustainable!!

[Russ]

It's sustainable once you set it up, it's just a large investment

[schnappy]

I'd suggest finding a topic you're very confident in arguing for. The more you actually feel for a subject the far better you'll be able to do.

[Pe_me]

I'm really interested in Nuclear power, so I thought that would be a good topic to pick, there is plenty of time for research. The point is to find out some new information about a topic too!