Japan's nuclear disaster is far from over. The situation has gotten so bad that large amounts of contaminated water have been dumped into the Pacific Ocean. Why did they do that? To make room for even more radioactive water. Imagine what this will do to Japan's world-famous fish market. Bans on Japanese goods will severely hinder any economic recovery. People are reminded of the dangers of nuclear power, and many are deciding the energy is not worth the risk. Many countries, the most notable being Germany, are seriously reconsidering their support of nuclear power.
Radioactive waste is accumulating by thousands of tons every year. Right now most of it is stored on-site with power plants, and there is no plan laid out to store the waste for millennia. This problem will only become more controversial as more people learn about it.
If other alternative energy sources—like wind and solar—become more widely and efficiently used, then the need for nuclear fission power can be reduced. More likely, fission will remain an important source of energy in the foreseeable future, and its nonstop output will maintain its utility. Eventually nuclear fusion power will be a viable option for alternative energy. There are several methods of attaining fusion being pursued around the world, and this multifaceted approach increases the likelihood of success. Fusion has been achieved, but the problems lie in sustaining a fusion reaction for a long time and harvesting enough energy to make a profit. Perhaps someday, in the far future, fusion will replace fission, and we will have a cleaner, safer way to meet our energy needs.
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