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Fukushima incident demonstrates the massive risks involved

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami at the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant in North Eastern Japan caused massive damage. More than 1000 people were killed and a major relief was necessary to help the victims. A state of emergency was declared and a 20 Km evacuation zone is still in force.

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A concensus of opinion seemed to have developed regarding nuclear power throughout the world and it seemed to be the way forward. The Fukushima incident demonstrates the massive risks involved but do we have a choice?

Is nuclear power worth investing in?

For the last ten years, most media outlets have paid a great deal of attention to the worldwide energy crisis and to global warming in particular. It is generally agreed that alternative energy sources will need to be developed to meet our ever expanding need for power. Possibilities include wind power, solar power, wave/tidal energy and biomass but while these technologies can make a contribution, it is unlikely that that existing alternative energy technology can provide enough energy to meet out needs.

Another possibility is nuclear power which is clean, efficient, reliable and relatively cheap. Despite the problems disposing of the dangerous waste produced, politicians seem to be ready to consider the use of nuclear power and might agree to a large scale construction program.

Many analysts have speculated that the worldwide nuclear energy market could grow substantially by 2030.

Does this mean nuclear energy is worth investing in?

In the U.S.A, the Department of Energy expects the amount of electricity needed to rise by 50% during the next twenty years. Worldwide electricity consumption is expected to double by 2030. Fossil fuel stocks are dwindling and the price oil continues to rise

It more than possible that there will be an increase in demand for nuclear power and this coincides with a weak amount of supply. Basic economics tells us that prices increase and decrease according to supply and demand.

Furthermore, as emerging economies in Asia develop over the next twenty years, the spike in demand for cheap, clean, reliable alternative energy sources could intensify and nuclear power is well placed.

Various private sector investment managers have recently described the structural shortage of power generation facilities in the developing world. Some countries are in the process of building large numbers of nuclear power stations and this will lift the demand for uranium.

Until recently, it has been very difficult for an ordinary investor to participate in the nuclear energy market because most investment opportunities were offshore. This has changed and there are now several options available:- 

• Three years ago, the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) launched its first futures contract for uranium. This allows investors to speculate on the future growth. Prices were high before the Global Credit Crisis in 2008 when uranium was trading at approximately $140 per pound. Recently it was approximately $40
• Investors can invest in the potential growth in the price of uranium by investing in mining companies which often have a very low share price. Proper research should be carried out and if the company finds substantial deposits the share prices will rise significantly
• Investors can invest in companies that have existing uranium operations such as BHP Billiton and Cameco which are both large companies and proven leaders in the field. Many smaller companies in countries with uranium deposits are good investment opportunities but shares would need to be purchased on a foreign exchange.
• The currency of countries with uranium deposits should increase in price and Forex Brokers could give advice about whether this is a viable investment opportunity

Global Warming? Energy Crisis? No Way! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams

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Stop Working for Money and Make Money Work for you

In these days of financial uncertainty it is increasingly unlikely that anyone will be able to maintain a "job for life" with the benefits and security that brings. Everybody need to make their own financial arrangements to take care of their future prosperity. We can no longer rely on big business or the government to look after our interests. We must take action ourselves.

It is time for everybody to think about starting up their own business, full time or part time, and there are so many opportunities available. There are many stories of people making money from property. Money can be made on-line by selling goods from a web-site. It is possible to make money from the stock exchange or other investments. Whatever you choose, you must be very careful, you must make sure you have researched the area thoroughly and know your facts. You need to be a sophisticated investor i.e. an investor who assesses and manages risk.

Everybody should try to increase their financial intelligence so they are in a position to let money work for them. I do not distinguish between traditional forms of investment like the stock market and bookmakers, casinos etc. In fact, the current financial difficulties have all been caused by the mistakes and ineptitude of traditional bankers and investors who have shown themselves to be anything but sophisticated.

Bookmakers and casino owners are extremely sophisticated and would never have got themselves (or the world economy) into such a financial mess.

Consider the UK National Lottery (or Lotto) which is one of the most popular lotteries in the world and it involves 6 numbers, plus a bonus, being drawn at random. You can win £10 for matching any 3 numbers and the odds for this are about 57 to 1. The odds are about 1000 to 1 to get 4 numbers right, 56000 to 1 to get 5 numbers right, 2.3 million to 1 to get 5 numbers plus the bonus and 14 million to 1 to get all 6 numbers for the jackpot.

A sophisticated investor would not play the UK National Lottery to make money because the odds are too great. It would be investment based upon hope and this amounts to wishful thinking. However 28% of the money generated by the lottery goes to so called "good causes." I very much recommend that everybody supports "good causes" because there is more to life than money and success should not be defined in purely financial terms.

Gambling is based on the law of averages and bookmakers use statistical methods to gain an advantage. A sophisticated investor can do the same by using and sticking to a system. There are many casino/betting systems available. They are usually based upon simple statistics and can be used to assess, quantify and manage risk. Be very careful though. Gambling is not for the unemployed and nobody should risk money they cannot afford to lose.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_M_Williams