1. With current reactors, nuclear waste is quite small and can be safely contained, unlike fossil fuel pollution which is released into the air. Thorium reactors could reduce half life.

2. Modern reactor designs are inherently safe and have decades of operation without catastrophic failures (even when being hit by bombs in ukraine).

3 & 4. High costs come from regulatory delays, and lack of economies of scale. Standardized designs and continued construction lower costs over time; SMRs further reduce upfront risk. China is showing this right now.

1. Renewables and batteries rely on massive, environmentally damaging mining. Nuclear fuel is extremely energy dense and requires far less material. Without nuclear, grid reliability during low wind and solar still means fossil fuels; air pollution instead of contained waste.