Nuclear Weapons and the problems they pose

The globalization of the world has led to many technological inventions and advances. Many of these advances have been used for the development of weaponry. The biggest and most destructive of the weapons that have been designed are Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear weapons are explosive devices that uses nuclear fission to create immense amounts of destructive force. So far in current history, major amounts of testing have been done on the effectiveness of Nuclear Weapons, but they have only been actually used once.

The first Nuclear Weapon to be developed was the Atomic Bomb. In order to end World War II, the US decided that two Atomic Bombs, codenamed Fat Man and Little Boy, were to be dropped onto the Japanese cities and military installations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both of the bombs were loaded on aircraft and were sent out from an American base in the Pacific. They were dropped and the destruction and casualty count was tremendous. It was the most destructive weapon of the time.

The biggest threat of the usage of Nuclear Weapons a second time was during the Cold War. The Cold War pitted the strongest democratic country at the time (the United States) with the strongest communist country at the time (the USSR). By this time, Nuclear Weapons had been developed so that they could be launched on intercontinental ballistic missles from nuclear silos. In fear of retaliation, however, neither side launched any missles.

Today, however, the major threat of Nuclear Weapons usage comes from two countries. These countries are North Korea and Iran. They are currently researching and developing Nuclear Devices and techniques that can be used as weapons. It is imperative to keep a close eye on them and prevent them from developing nuclear weapons that can be used to devestate other countries. Apart from their immense, instant, destructive power, nuclear weapons scar the environment that creatures, plants, and people live in. It is also important to attempt to steer away from using nuclear fission for destructive purposes.

One way to minimize the usage of nuclear weapons is to employ nuclear technology in a different way. One way that nuclear technology and materials can be used is in the generation of electricity to power other machines. Currently, many nuclear power plants, like the Browns Ferry Power Plant near Decatur, Alabama, are in existence. Instead of using nuclear material for military purposes, they can be employed in generating stations like these. One problem still exists in that it is a danger to the environment and it still pollutes the environment. Therefore, other ways can be employed as well to find uses for nuclear technology other than for war.