Chapter 27: The Second World War at Home and Abroad, 1941-1945





The following activities accompany the Legacy for a People and a Nation on "Atomic Waste" in Chapter 27. Refer to page 785 of Norton, A People and a Nation, Sixth Edition for the complete text of this Legacy. There are three parts to this web page: Questions to Consider, Investigation, and Further Exploration.




Questions to Consider
1. Do we have adequate technology to effectively clean nuclear and other toxic waste dumps?

2. Discuss the idea of technology as a two-edged sword? What are the peaceful uses of nuclear and other wartime technologies?

3. To what extent has Chernobyl influenced our nuclear policies? Nuclear policies in Europe?

4. Should immediate national security interests ever come before the long-term protection of our environment? Who should make such choices?


Investigation
One of the hottest debates today is whether or not we should pursue nuclear power. As an elected official voting on permits, what questions would you have for the industry? Would you favor the issuing of permits? Prepare yourself by reading the following: a U.S. Department of Energy report on nuclear power, which includes information on worldwide consumption of electricity and nuclear energy; a Nuclear Regulatory Commission site on a short history of nuclear regulation; a Nuclear Regulatory Guide on Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations; and a Greenpeace Organization account on issues related to nuclear waste and the uncalculated costs of nuclear energy.




Further Exploration
1. For a portal to environmental questions around the world, including hazardous and nuclear waste in the United States, visit this index prepared by about.com.

2. Follow the Department of Energy on "disposal" of civilian nuclear waste. Why do we make a distinction between civilian and military waste?

3. The International Atomic Energy Association confronts criticisms raised against nuclear energy and offers many statistics about nuclear resources.

4. Don't overlook the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for its thoughtful coverage on nuclear energy and nuclear weapons in particular.