CHAMINADE MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016
TOPIC 1: NUCLEAR ENERGY AND DISARMAMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nuclear Energy is one of the cleanest “renewable” energy sources emitting the least amount of
Co2 into the air. Changing the way, we look at energy yet also opening up other options for energy,
that would be more beneficial to the environment. Nuclear power plants can have two variations
the “pressurized water reactor” and “boiling water reactor”. The advances in nuclear energy have
led to several grim scenarios. These two reactors create the same sort of energy, that being
nuclear, but they work slightly differently. A “pressurized water reactor” works through these 4
steps “The core inside the reactor vessel creates heat. Pressurized water in the primary coolant
loop carries the heat to the steam generator. Inside the steam generator, heat from the primary
coolant loop vaporizes the water in a secondary loop, producing steam. The steam line directs the
steam to the main turbine, causing it to turn the turbine generator, which produces electricity.”
While a “Boiling water reactor” works once again in a different way. The BWR works through these
steps “The core inside the reactor vessel creates heat. A steam-water mixture is produced when
very pure water (reactor coolant) moves upward through the core, absorbing heat. The steamwater mixture leaves the top of the core and enters the two stages of moisture separation where
water droplets are removed before the steam is allowed to enter the steamline. The steam line
directs the steam to the main turbine, causing it to turn the turbine generator, which produces
electricity.”
Nuclear Energy has had several disasters including the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima killing
129,000-226,000 in 1995. Plus, the incident at Chernobyl where a power plant in Ukraine had
exploded in 1986. Most recently of all is when a nuclear reactor in Fukushima in 2011. All of these
incidents were both destructive to the people but also to the environment around the explosion.
These events unfolded differently but with a very similar outcome. The bombings of Nagasaki and
Hiroshima happened in 1995 when Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor, launching the U.S into WWII.
In retaliation to Japan the United States used their newly created weapon, a nuclear bomb. Flying
over Hiroshima a group of pilots unleashed the new weapon upon the city, killing 90% of the cities
population immediately, then killing tens of thousands in later years. Three days later they
unleashed another nuclear bomb upon the city of Nagasaki killing an estimated 40 Thousand. The
Chernobyl disaster took a very different route. The disaster when in 1986 the nuclear reactor in
Chernobyl exploded killing 31 people but having an effect on the area around it to this very day.
Causing many counts of cancer and other health problems in residents close to where the
explosion once happened. The last incident happened in 2011 in Fukushima, Japan. When a
earthquake followed by a 13m high tsunami had caused several explosions within the power plant.
Causing more damage to the area surrounding it then to the people surround it the Fukushima
disaster was rated at a 7 which is the max for nuclear disasters right next to Chernobyl.
Yet as of July 2015, 30 countries worldwide are operating 438 nuclear reactors for production of
energy, and 67 new nuclear plants are under construction in 15 countries. Yet threats from nuclear
CHAMINADE MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016
reactors are not the only threat which the nuclear “movement” can posses. With nuclear energy
there comes a threat of nuclear weapons which may be used by one country against another. One
of the most recent shows of this nuclear threat was put on by the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong
Un, when in 2013 the nuclear state confirmed its possession and successful testing of Hydrogen
Bombs, a form of nuclear warfare. The U.N council also came together to discus this whole ordeal,
and ultimately condemning North Korea as their testing of their so claimed hydrogen bomb was a
direct violation of past treaties signed by the country.
ORIGINS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The concept of using fission of nuclear cells was proven by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann,
during 1938-1939. These developments soon led to the creation of the atomic bomb when the
needed concept to create the atomic bomb was soon provided in 1939 Francis Perrin. The United
States of America was the very first country to develop a nuclear weapon. The first explosion took
place in New Mexico, United States. July 16th, 1945. The final outcome of the MAUD (Military
Application of Uranium Detonation) Committee concluded two reports in July 1941. One was on
'Use of Uranium for a Bomb' and the other was on 'Use of Uranium as a Source of Power'. Little
emphasis was given to the bomb concept until 7 December 1941, when the Japanese attacked
Pearl Harbour. Launching the American army into WWII thus starting the first war using nuclear
weapons.
After the second World War focus was put towards the peaceful and beneficial use of nuclear
energy. The first reactor used to create energy was in Idaho, USA. The reactor started up in
December 1951. In 1953 American president Eisenhower proposed his idea for a program named
“Atoms for Peace” which focused its time towards a more peaceful research program to use
nuclear power for electricity. Which set the course for civil nuclear energy development in the USA.
The Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (FEI) was set up in May 1946 by the Soviet Union.
EFFORTS TOWARDS NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
A number of treaties have been established with the intent of the maintenance of international
peace and safety. Also with the intent of stopping nuclear testing while promoting the idea of
“nuclear disarmament. There are currently several of these treaties in place including ‘The Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)’, The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests
In The Atmosphere, In Outer Space And Under Water, also known as the ‘Partial Test Ban Treaty
(PTBT)’, and the ‘Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’ (CTBT), which was signed in 1996 but
is not yet fully in action
The United Nations described Nuclear weapons as such:
“Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous weapons on earth. One can destroy a
whole city,
potentially killing millions, and jeopardizing the natural environment and lives of future
generations through its long-term catastrophic effects. The dangers from such weapons arise
from their very existence”
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TIMELINE OF TREATIES SIGNED:
The Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty
A treaty which was signed in 1972 preventing the use of defensive systems that might give an
advantage to one party in a nuclear war.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
The NPT was signed in 1975, and has been signed by 187 countries, more than any other arms
limitation and disarmament agreement. The objective is “to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons
and weapons technology, to promote co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to
further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.”
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
The CTBT was adopted by the U.N, designed to prevent testing of nuclear weapons and hence
reduce the chance of an arms race. The treaty was signed in 1996.
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties, START I and START II
START I and II were designed to reduce the weapons that Russia and the US have.
Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, NWFZ
The 1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, The
1985 South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, The 1995 Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free
Zone Treaty, The 1996 African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, The 2006 Treaty on a NuclearWeapon-Free Zone in Central Asia The treaties. With all of these treaties combined this created
the basis of the existing NWFZ.
ARGUMENTS THAT SUPPORT THE DISARMAMENT
There are many arguments that support the disarmament of nuclear weapons
Humanitarian Perspective:
Any use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences. Causing sickness for years
to come and also many deaths with the initial explosion. No efforts made by humanitarians would
be effective.
“…Nuclear weapons are unique in their destructive power, in the unspeakable
human suffering
they cause, in the impossibility of controlling their effects in space and time, and in the threat they
CHAMINADE MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016
pose to the environment, to future generations, and indeed to the survival of humanity.” –
International Committee of the Red Cross, 2010
Global Security:
Nuclear weapons pose a direct and constant threat to people everywhere. With threats from
nuclear states being a constant worry from countries all around the world. Nuclear Weapons are
weapons of mass destruction, possible of breaking the trust and bonda which two nations may
have with one another. They will not help in terms of other issues such as terrorism. With more
than 40,000 nuclear weapons being dismantled since the end of the cold war, they cause global
insecurity as seen with the dozens of documented near-use of nuclear weapons based on
miscalculation or accidents.
Environmental Perspective:
The environmental point of view might be the one that most people think of when a weapon such
as the nuclear bomb is considered. The effects it ahs on the natural world and to the life around us
(plant and animal life) is a great risk. With effects that can change the global temperature and also
rainfall. Nuclear bombs have the possibility to drive the world into a widespread famine.
Economic Impact:
Nuclear weapons programmes divert public funds from health care, education, disaster relief and
other vital services. The US alone spends more than US$60 billion annually, and the British
government’s plans to replace its ageing fleet of nuclear-armed Trident submarines could cost
taxpayers over £100 billion. Nuclear weapons divert funds from the citizens to the production and
testing of these possibly world ending devices.
CONCLUSION
Currently nuclear energy is a great alternative to other sources such as coal or even natural gas. It
has low Co2 emissions and is both reliable and cheap also to add onto that nuclear energy
powerful and efficient. Its one of the best energy sources we have come to have.
Yet at the same time nuclear energy comes with the threat of nuclear weapons and nuclear melt
downs and the risk of having the fate of mankind resting at a push of a button. Also the risks of
having the world plunged into a war or possibly famine are very intense. Many states of both
nuclear and non-nuclear variety agree that a total disarmament of nuclear weapons would benefit
humanity more than having said weapons. Many treaties have been signed and put into action
over this discussion. Having over 100 countries signing these treaties does not guarantee a safe
haven for all of humanity, but through corporation and agreements a safe non nuclear world might
be achievable.
CHAMINADE MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016
Questions to Consider:
This committee is strongly advised to consider the following questions when researching your
country’s position on the topic:
1. What efforts must be needed in order to avert the threat of nuclear war?
2. What can the global community do to deter the development or stop producing and
distributing nuclear weapons?
3. Address nuclear energy- to pursue nuclear power as an alternative to energy but what can
be done to prevent nuclear power being turned into nuclear threat?
CHAMINADE MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016
Sources:
“Outline History of Nuclear Energy” http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/current-and-futuregeneration/outline-history-of-nuclear-energy/
“nuclear weapons” http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/
“a brief history of nuclear weapons states” http://asiasociety.org/brief-history-nuclear-weaponsstates Type of reactors http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/power.html
“number of nuclear states” http://www.nei.org/Knowledge-Center/Nuclear-Statistics/World-Statistics
“bombing of Japan” http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
“North Korea tests” http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/06/asia/north-korea-hydrogen-bomb-test/
‘Nuclear Proliferation Treaties Under Pressure’ http://www.globalissues.org/issue/67/nuclearweapons
‘Nuclear weapons’ http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/
“Arguments for nuclear abolishment” http://www.icanw.org/why-a-ban/arguments-for-a-ban/
‘understanding nuclear threats ’http://www.nti.org/threats/nuclear/
”benefits of nuclear energy”
http://www.conserve-energy future.com/Advantages_NuclearEnergy.php