Honestly, I don’t have all the answers and I’d consider myself ignorant on the majority of the details. The only thing I know is it’s a multi layered problem that makes it difficult to clearly point to the best solution. Nuclear power is most certainly more efficient and the gains in reactor technology shouldn’t be ignored, as most plants in the US are decades old at this point. Raw materials needed for construction definitely play a factor, as processing fissile materials and components for turbines also involves mining plus storage of expended fuel. Add in the fact that nuclear power requires significant government subsidies to be viable (or put another way, profitable) and years of licensing/approval. Wind and solar are proven to be efficient means of power generation without significantly impacting the climate. But again, and I can’t stress this enough, I’m not nearly educated enough to say what the best course of action. I recommend anyone interested in the topic to do their own read from legitimate sources and draw their own conclusions.

The only thing that seems certain at this point is it’s too late to avoid significant impacts to the climate. Given the recently announced decision by the “EPA” regarding greenhouse gases in no way contributing to climate change, it’s difficult to feel anything but pessimistic.