COMP 2300 Winter 26 / Rhys Jones
Most people my age care about climate change and clean energy. We support solar panels, wind farms, and electric cars. But when nuclear power comes up, the mood often changes.
People think of disasters, radiation, or nuclear weapons. I used to feel the same way. Nuclear just sounded risky and outdated. But the more I have learned, the more I think we need to take a second look at it, especially because of how fast our electricity demand is growing.
But the more I have learned, the more I think we need to take a second look at it.
AI Is Increasing Power Demand
AI is blowing up right now and every new AI tool, chatbot, and data center uses a lot of energy. “15 questions, 10 images, and 3 videos generated by AI can use as much energy as riding an e-bike for 100 miles.” We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.
As AI grows, so does the strain on the grid, and that electricity must come from somewhere. If it comes from fossil fuels, emissions go up, which hurts our climate goals and can raise energy costs.
If it comes only from renewables like wind and solar, there can be problems when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Batteries can help this issue, but they aren’t always enough for super large-scale, nonstop demand.
Why Nuclear Belongs in the Mix
I believe this is where nuclear warrants more attention. Nuclear energy is one of the few low-carbon sources that can produce large amounts of electricity 24/7. It doesn’t depend on the weather or emit carbon during operation. And modern reactors are built with multiple safety systems designed to prevent accidents.
But public stigma is still a huge barrier. Many people still associate nuclear power with Chernobyl, Fukushima, or bombs. These fears are understandable, but they don’t always reflect the true nature of nuclear power and how much technology and safety standards have improved. Today our reactors are very different from older designs, and safety rules are stricter than ever.
No Energy Source Is Perfect
Other energy sources also have downsides. Huge wind farms affect landscapes and local climates. Solar needs lots of land and materials. No energy source is perfect, which makes the real question to our problem: which mix of energy sources gives us reliable, low-carbon power?
It appears we act like nuclear and renewables must compete, but in reality they can work together. Renewables can handle variable generation, and nuclear can provide steady baseline power.
I am not saying that we should build a bunch of nuclear plants everywhere without thinking. Safety, waste management, and cost all matter. Communities deserve a say in the matter. But rejecting nuclear power completely because of fear or old perceptions could limit our options at a time when we need cleaner energy, not fewer choices.
Demand Is Not Waiting
If AI, electric vehicles, and modern technology keep growing at our current pace, the electricity demand will grow with them. Ignoring that reality will not make it go away. Waiting until blackouts or price spikes happen will only make solutions more expensive and rushed.
Global power demand will continue to grow rapidly over the next decade, jumping about 30% by 2035.
For students, voters, and everyday people who care about clean energy, it might be time to update how we think about nuclear technology. We need to look at it as a tool in a larger clean energy tool kit.
“The U.S energy mix today is still dominated by oil and natural gas, which together make up over 70% of domestic energy production.” U.S. Energy Mix iea.org. The future grid will probably need a mix of wind, solar, hydro, good storage, and nuclear power.
The goal of this writing is not to win an energy debate, but to keep our lights on without abusing our planet. I believe nuclear can help us do that safely, and at least deserves to be talked about.
Media Note
I’ve lived on Maui for the past four years!
