Recently, the cost of energy sources like fossil fuels is increasing around the world. Because of that, nuclear energy is used more often. Nuclear energy, also called atomic energy, is produced by controlled use of nuclear chain reaction, in which atoms of a heavy element, such as uranium, are split up.
Many people believe that it is one of the best sources of energy. Others maintain that inappropriate use of nuclear power would destroy our civilisation. The truth, as always, lies in between.
First of all, nuclear energy is claimed to be clean. It does not produce CO2, so it does not cause global warming. The antagonists say, however, that nuclear waste dumped into oceans pollutes its water. Maybe there would be more supporters of nuclear power if governments found the safe way of getting rid of the nuclear waste.
Furthermore, the opponents maintain that nuclear energy is always a threat. They refer to the Chernobyl accident, Hiroshima/Nagasaki. In my opinion, though, there is always a danger of disaster, even with oil-drilling or in mines. Media will publish articles about nuclear catastrophe more eagerly, because they are more sensational.
The advocates of nuclear power say that it is cheap. In fact, producing nuclear power is very expensive. Uranium used for fuel is not found in nature in its elementary form. It is always bounded with other substances and must be separated from them. Nuclear energy is, however, very efficient and, paradoxically cheaper than the energy produced from coal.
In my opinion, it is impossible to say definitely whether nucleaer power is either good or bad. Many people are just sceptic and afraid of all things that are new. Time alone will tell if using nuclear energy is a good option.