Background Guide - TJHSST Activities

TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
HS IAEA
Thomas Jefferson High School Model United Nations Conference
TechMUN 2015
High School General Assembly
Chair: Jason Huang
Chair: Jennifer Fang
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
Dear Delegates of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
Hey everyone! Our names are Jason Huang and Jennifer Fang, and we are both excited to
be your chairs for TechMUN 2015. We both highly
experienced in MUN and enjoy discussing current events,
diplomacy, and foreign affairs. We are looking forward to all
the great debate that will take place in this committee, and we
hope that you are as excited as we are! Here’s a little bit
about each of us.
My name is Jason Huang and I am a first year student
at the University of Virginia (Go Wahoos) and an alumni
from Thomas Jefferson. I’ve been hooked on MUN ever since my first MUN experience in MS
SPECPOL at TechMUN. Since middle school, I have been highly involved with the MUN
throughout high school. Last year, I served as the Undersecretary General for TJMUN. I enjoy
long walks on the beach while having intense
conversation ranging from business to sports. I
look forward to an eventful weekend full of
exciting debate and creative solutions to pertinent
world issues.
My name is Jennifer Fang and I am a
senior at TJHSST. I started MUN at WMHSMUN
2012 and have loved it ever since! My favorite
MUN memory is ILMUNC 2014!
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
This background guide will serve as a starting point for research in preparation for
TechMUN 2015. Please email us if you have any questions after reading through the background
guide or need clarification of any sort.
Sincerely,
Jason Huang
Jennifer Fang
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
TOPIC A: NUCLEAR SCIENCE FOR FOOD SECURITY
Since the mid-20th century, food security has been one of the world’s primary concerns.
It is becoming increasingly evident that the current food supply is insufficient to feel the world’s
rapidly blooming population. From the IAEA’s estimates, the global production of nutritious
food must increase by at least 70% by 2050 to feed the world’s population (Henriques).
To combat the problem of food security, the IAEA is supporting nuclear technology
programs and projects in over 100 countries (Henriques). Those efforts include using nuclear
technology to increase both the quantity and quality of food through irradiation and
contamination control (Henriques). Food irradiation uses ionizing radiation to increase food’s
shelf life and kill germs and diseases (ANSTO). It is similar to pasteurizing food because the
radiation can destroy bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli which can cause life-threatening
diseases (NEI).
In the US, the FDA has approved irradiation of fruits, vegetables, pork, poultry, red meat,
and many spices (NEI). More than 76 million Americans are affected by food-borne illnesses per
year and more than 5,000 die due to those illnesses (NEI). The advent of nuclear technology to
help solve the problem of food-related illnesses is an important discovery, but must be expanded
upon to gain the maximum effectiveness.
The advantages of using this kind of nuclear technology over traditional preservation
techniques is that irradiation of food does not drastically change the appearance, taste, nutritional
value, or quality of food. Contrary to some rumors, irradiated food does not absorb radiation and
become radioactive because the doses of radiation used are too insignificant to induce
radioactivity (ANSTO).
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
Other uses of nuclear technology include using radiation to control insect populations.
Use of pesticides can not only create environmental consequences and pollution, but it can also
result in poisonous residues on food. Insects are also able to develop resistance to insect
pesticides, which creates super bugs that are far beyond the control of current insecticides
(ANSTO).
The Sterile Insect Technique, currently used in Australia and other countries, involves
sterilizing male insects through radiation and then releasing them into the native insect
population (ANSTO). It is a harmless way of controlling the insect population without the usual
use of toxic chemicals (ANSTO). The sterile insects do not develop any side effects and do not
become radioactive or mutated. However, when they try to mate with wild females, no offspring
are produced (ANSTO). Thus, the insect population is controlled.
There are currently a plethora of scientific programs that use nuclear technology to
improve food security; however, the implementation and expansion of such programs to all
countries across the globe is a problem that the IAEA intends to tackle. We look forward to
hearing your creative and innovative solutions!
Questions to Consider:
1. What is the best way to introduce these technology programs to developing countries?
2. How should we allocate resources and efforts to expanding this sphere of research?
3. How should we tackle the issues of safety and educating the public about the safety of
nuclear technology regarding food security.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
Works Cited
"Food and Agriculture." ANSTO. Australian Government, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
"Food & Agriculture." Nuclear Energy Institute. NEI, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
Henriques, Sasha. "Contributing to Food Security with Nuclear Technologies." Contributing to
Food Security with Nuclear Technologies. IAEA, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 20 Feb. 2015.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
TOPIC B: NUCLEAR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The world has a climate and energy problem. Throughout history, human activity has
driven the demand for energy to higher and higher ceilings while our consumption has led to
dramatic influences on the world’s environment. There must be a balance of the two in order to
insure a sustainable future for Earth.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is 95% certain that
human activity has led to increasing greenhouse gas concentration (Nuccitelli). CO2 emissions,
one of the major greenhouse gases, from fossil fuels have contributed to global warming by
keeping thermal radiation from reflecting off the earth’s surface. In addition, these harmful
emissions coming from energy producing sources have deteriorated the ozone layer which
protects the Earth from the Sun’s UV radiation. Steps must be taken to reduce pollution from
energy production activities to reduce the negative impact on not only the Earth’s climate, but
also the Earth’s natural habitats. The world is deterring on the point of no return with climate
change, if no substantial changes are made in regards to emissions and pollution the future
livelihood of all citizens are at risk.
As growth continues across the world, more and more energy will be consumed to drive
the growth. Between 1990 and 2005, energy use increased by 23%, while CO2 emissions rose by
25% (Taylor). Out of all energy consumption, oil and fossil fuel products take up a major chunk
leading to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. While growth and energy consumption should
not be encouraged, the increasing emissions rate spells major repercussions through climate
change.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
As the organization most directly related to energy, it is the IAEA’s responsibility to take
an active role in the climate change debate. There are currently over 435 active nuclear reactors
with many more in construction throughout the world (Amano). Nuclear energy has billed itself
as an emission free response to climate changes which seems promising for the energy outlook.
Some environmentalists have started come around to the idea nuclear energy as solution to the
climate debate concluding that “there is no credible path to climate stabilization that does not
include a substantial role for nuclear power” (Mooney).
However, there are many risks and reservations involved with the use of nuclear energy
production. Nuclear reactors have high constructor costs and maintenancing to mitigate nuclear
accidents come at a premium. In addition, a reduction of emissions comes with the risk of other
issues such as nuclear waste that could also prove harmful to the environment. Any debate for
nuclear energy as a realistic solution to climate change must take in account the pros and cons
adopting more nuclear friendly policies.
There are many factors to think about when addressing the nuclear energy and climate
change topic. On one hand, all proposed energy policies must be able to fully incorporate actions
to limit emissions and harm to the environment. Keeping in mind the massive demand for
energy, there should be no reduction in energy output. Proposed solutions should weigh the costs
and benefits of nuclear energy as well as the feasibility both economically as well as politically.
Questions to ponder:
1. Is nuclear energy a possible solution to climate change?
2. How does a country balance it’s nuclear energy and climate change policies?
3. Should we our attention to fighting climate change or focus on nuclear development?
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
TechMUN 2015
International Atomic Energy Agency
Works Cited:
Introductory Statement to Board of Governors - Nuclear Energy. Perf. Yukiya Amano.
International Atomic Energy Agency, 2013.
Mooney, Chris. "Why Climate Change Is Forcing Some Environmentalists to Back Nuclear
Power." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2015.
Nuccitelli, Dana. "Global Warming: Why Is IPCC Report so Certain About the Influence of
Humans?" The Guardian, 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2015.
Taylor, Peter. " Worldwide Trends in Energy Use and Efficiency: Key Insights from IEA
Indicator Analysis ” (n.d.): n. pag. Iea.org. International Energy Agency. Web. 21 Feb.
2015.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015