"...ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand..."
Nuclear weapons are one thing, nuclear energy quite another. Even so, compared to automobiles, or any number of other things we take advantage of, and take for granted on a daily basis, the actual numbers of deaths from nuclear is miniscule.
Nuclear power CAN be done safely, just ask France, they get 85% of their electricity from nuclear reactors. The amount of radioactive waste produced is tiny, and can be safely and economically disposed of. The only down side to nuclear energy that I can see is, like fossil fuels, it will eventually run out. But in the short term, as a transition to a "greener" world, it is BY FAR our "greenest" option.
Think about it. Even the cleanest coal-fired plant pumps tons of pollution into the atmosphere every minute of every day versus a nuc plant of the same size... ZERO. It doesn't get any greener than that.
One more thing to think about: the sun itself, which is the ultimate source of solar and wind energy, is nothing more than a huge nuclear reactor. So whether we like it or not, EVERYTHING is ultimately, nuclear powered.
Just one man's opinion, your mileage may vary.
BrianH
