Nuclear Energy: Practical Realities and Significant Challenges

Nuclear energy tends to be a polarizing subject: you are either for it or against it. Putting debates aside, in 2016, there are practical realities associated with nuclear power: many countries use it (even Germany, though it will be phased out), many seem to want to acquire it (even though it is a 60-year-old technology), and all that have or will have it must develop a responsible way of managing its wastes. In this post-Fukushima environment, can nuclear power continue to be used safely? Given the threats of terror attacks, can it be used securely? Can “new entrants,” countries that want to acquire nuclear power, do so safely? And can we develop a technically sound and politically acceptable solution to the waste problem? All of these areas must be addressed to ensure public health and safety.