Without optionsTurn on and off, could it be that simple? Energy is there whenever we need it, so we think. It's not as simple as turning on the light switch, replacing the light bulbs, and paying your electric bills. Our energy today consists primarily of coal, natural gas, oil, wind, solar and nuclear power. As natural resources become depleted, we need to start considering what will fuel our future. While there are still many challenges ahead and technologies yet to be discovered, many argue that nuclear energy is becoming an important part of our future. However, nuclear meltdowns and disasters cause many people and scientists to question the possibility of having a nuclear-powered world. What are the concerns and positive aspects of nuclear energy today? Could nuclear energy become a part of our future energy source? The whole process of nuclear energy begins with uranium. Uranium is the fuel for nuclear reactors, often collected near coal mines. Uranium is found in two types, U-235 and U-238, the one needed for nuclear energy is U-235. Uranium U-235 is one of the least abundant elements and makes up only 0.000002% of the Earth's crust. Although it is quite rare, one pound of uranium can produce the same amount of energy as three million pounds of coal. U-235 is unstable in nature and highly radioactive, making it a perfect partner in the fission process. (How Nuclear Energy Works 2) The process of harvesting energy from atoms is complicated and has many variables. It begins with fission, which is the splitting of a nucleus with neurons. The collected uranium is made into small pellets, placed in twelve-foot rods. These rods will be inserted into the reactor core, which is a key ingredient of the fission process. The fission process c......middle of paper......nuclear waste is a new and not very robust technology, but still a solution to the problems of excessive waste. Where in the future new technologies could allow waste to be completely recycled and reused in reactors to create more energy. Considering both the positive and negative aspects of nuclear energy, the real question that remains is “if not nuclear, then what else?” (Rutgers's Felder)Far from perfect, nuclear energy has the potential to be part of our future energy source. With rising prices and limitations of natural resources, nuclear energy is needed in our society. It will most likely be accompanied by wind, solar and other small sustainable and renewable energy sources. The technology is interesting and quite dangerous but with time, as with any technological advancement, nuclear energy should become a safer and more reliable source of energy for the future..