In today’s world it is hard not to hear about issues involving the natural world we live in. Some of these issues are climate change, diminishing natural resources, and the effects of global warming. There has been a growing controversy over “where do we go from here?”

Now we know the global economy is growing, and the natural resources to support it are depleting. So where do we go from here? Oil has fueled our world in previous decades but as resources decline we are forced to find alternative forms of energy.

The answer lies in nuclear power. Nuclear power is reliable, efficient and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The supply of nuclear energy is continuous and widely available. There are huge reserves, and it is expected to last for another 100 years while coal, oil, and natural gas are expected to vanish soon.

The best part is the surprisingly low fuel cost. The cost is low because it requires a little amount of uranium to produce energy. And when a nuclear reaction happens it releases ten times the amount of energy traditional sources of energy do.

Even though I am a big supporter of this alternative form of energy, I do still recognize the cons of nuclear energy.

Global warming is happening right now. With power plants taking upwards of ten years to build, people question whether this is the right path to take in order to save our planet.

Another downside to nuclear power is the impact it would have on wildlife. Now, all forms of energy production impact the environment on some level. The concern with nuclear power plants is the waste resulting from by products. The environments surrounding the plant could potentially be lost for good.

That being said, I still believe nuclear power is the route to take. Nuclear power generation emits relatively low carbon dioxide, leaving a small carbon footprint and thus helping solve our global warming problem. Unlike oil, this technology is readily available. This means it does not have to be developed first, making it quicker to access and utilize. And even though nuclear power plants may damage surrounding ecosystems, one single plant can generate enormous amounts of electrical energy.

Sean Smerczynski

Hyde School