Why is the use of nuclear energy controversial?

Answer 1

The attitude towards nuclear power plants probably stems from the first use of nuclear energy which was the atom bombs dropped on Japan in WW2, therefore many people regard it as dangerous and perhaps even immoral. Then there is the unsolved problem of what to do with the waste from spent fuel, in the long run which means thousands of years before it is safe. Accidents like Chernobyl also arouse anxiety, though nothing like this has happened other than at that site and with that obsolete design of reactor.

What people seem to overlook is the danger of other types of fuel. Oil refineries quite often blow up with loss of life, coal mining has been a hazardous occupation for centuries and still is so, leakages of natural gas often occur and houses can explode as a result, but we don't rush to condemn the use of fossil fuels. I believe life would in fact be safer if we used nuclear produced electricity in our homes and industries instead of fossil fuels, but must admit the waste problem has to be solved. This needs political will and determination to achieve a solution, which has been sadly lacking both in the US and in Europe.

Answer 2

The use of nuclear energy is controversial due to concerns about safety, including the potential for accidents and the management of radioactive waste. There are also worries about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the high cost of building and maintaining nuclear power plants. Public perception, environmental impact, and political considerations all contribute to the controversy surrounding nuclear energy.