Denmark Reconsiders Its Stance on Nuclear Power

The Main Reading Text

People have different ideas about nuclear power, which is a way to make electricity. Some people think it is a clean kind of energy. This is because making electricity with nuclear power does not produce the greenhouse gases that can make our Earth warm. Old ways of making energy, like burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil, produce a lot of these gases.

However, other people worry about nuclear power. They remember big accidents from the past and worry about the waste. Nuclear waste can be dangerous and must be kept safe for a very long time.

Almost 40 years ago, in 1985, the government in Denmark decided to ban nuclear power because many people in the country did not want it. But now, the government is thinking about this decision again. An important person in the government said they will study new and often smaller ideas for nuclear power to see if they could be safe and good for Denmark.

Currently, Denmark gets most of its electricity from green energy sources like wind and solar power. The country has a plan to stop using all fossil fuels by the year 2050. Still, the government knows that an electricity system cannot be based only on the sun and wind. If Denmark decides to use nuclear power again, it will join other European countries like France and Sweden in looking for the best ways to have enough clean energy for the future.

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

nuclear power

n.

[ˋnjuklɪɚ ˋpaʊɚ] — 核能

Energy that is created by splitting atoms (the smallest parts of a substance).

• Some people think nuclear power is a clean energy source.
  有些人認為核能是一種乾淨的能源。
• The country decided to ban nuclear power.
  該國決定禁止核能。

greenhouse gas

n.

[ˋgrinh͵aʊs gæs] — 溫室氣體

A gas, especially carbon dioxide or methane, that is thought to trap heat above the Earth and cause the greenhouse effect.

• Nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases.
  核能不會產生溫室氣體。
• We need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
  我們需要減少我們的溫室氣體排放。

fossil fuel

n.

[ˋfɑsl ˋfjuəl] — 化石燃料

A fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas that is formed in the Earth from dead plants or animals.

• Burning fossil fuels can make our Earth warm.
  燃燒化石燃料會使我們的地球變暖。
• The plan is to stop using all fossil fuels by 2050.
  計畫是在2050年前停止使用所有化石燃料。

accident

n.

[ˋæksədənt] — 意外；事故

An unpleasant event, especially in a vehicle, that happens unexpectedly and causes injury or damage.

• They remember big accidents from the past.
  他們記得過去發生的大型事故。
• He had a car accident last week.
  他上週出了一場車禍。

waste

n.

[west] — 廢料；廢棄物

Unwanted material or substances that are left after you have used something.

• Nuclear waste can be dangerous.
  核廢料可能很危險。
• We should try to reduce our household waste.
  我們應該試著減少我們的家庭廢棄物。

ban

v.

[bæn] — 禁止

To officially say that something is not allowed.

• Denmark decided to ban nuclear power.
  丹麥決定禁止核能。
• Smoking is banned in all public places.
  所有公共場所都禁止吸菸。

currently

adv.

[ˋkɝəntlɪ] — 目前，現今

At the present time.

• Currently, Denmark gets most of its electricity from wind.
  目前，丹麥大部分的電力來自風力。
• She is currently working on a new project.
  她目前正在進行一個新專案。