Coal produces over 57% of the electricity in the U.S. And it is far more deadly and damaging to the environment as a fuel source than nuclear power. More than 90% of the sulfur dioxidee and 80% of nitrous oxides are emitted from coal at different kinds of power plants.

These pollutants are changing the quality of ocean water and are having a negative effect on sea creatures. Human life cannot be sustained without ocean life, at least not on a very large scale. A less invasive, environmentally friendly power source needs to replace current sources of coal-driven power. Until that alternative is found, ocean life will continue to be contaminated.

Current discussions on how global warming could be halted or slowed, are shifting towards nuclear power and many politician's think it may be in everybody's best interest.

Advantages of nuclear power are frequently focused on while issues regarding disadvantages are seldom raised. The following arguments need to be given equal consideration in the determination of the feasibility of nuclear energy use.

Nuclear energy generating systems do emit relatively low levels of CO2. Because of this nuclear energy contributes very little to green house gases and therefore, global warming. The technology is there, it is already developed and it's possible to generate high amounts of electricity in a single plant.

The downside of nuclear energy is one that isn't likely to go away any time soon, that of radioactive waste disposal. The waste is extremely dangerous and must be responsibly maintained for thousands of years according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Risks of an accident are there in spite of high security standards and consequences of such an accident would be devastating for the environment and human and wildlife. The more nuclear power plants there are (and the more nuclear waste there is) the higher the possibility of a disaster somewhere.

Another consideration is the possibility of nuclear power plants becoming targets for terrorist attacks. An attack similar to 9/11 would affect the entire world.

Uranium is the energy source for nuclear energy. It is a scarce resource and is estimated to be depleted in the next 30 to 60 years.

It takes 20-30 years of planning and building to get a nuclear power plant up and running, it cannot be done in a short time.

Some scientists are of the opinion that nuclear energy in not sustainable and not "green" either, for several reasons.

One is that future generations must deal with dangerous waste generated by their ancestors. It is a legacy that no one would choose.

That nuclear energy isn't sustainable is supported by the scarcity of uranium. It is the only source of energy for nuclear power and is available in only limited quantities on earth, it is being consumed by operating nuclear plants and will not be available for future generations.

The only thing left to future generations will be toxic waste and the responsibility of keeping it secure. They will not benefit from nuclear energy as a source of fuel. When all things are considered, it is time for change!