Nuclear energy should not be ignored and must be included as an important component of an alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels as it has the greatest potential to be the primary future energy source that can work alongside other alternative renewable energy sources to combat global warming and help meet the world's growing energy demand. Nuclear energy, which has historically been portrayed as a dangerous and evil energy source, has recently seen renewed attention as an alternative form of energy and has been rehabilitated in the public eye after growing concerns about global warming and increasing energy demand (World Nuclear Association 2011). However, due to the Fukushima accident in March 2011, public perception of nuclear safety has been hampered. This incident instilled fear and “had a major impact on decreasing support for nuclear energy” (Wallard, cited in Reaney 2011). This accident reignited the debate on nuclear energy in the international community. This essay will consider the arguments of the anti-nuclear energy movement that previous nuclear accidents demonstrate that nuclear energy always carries the risk of a major disaster. This essay will also consider the argument that nuclear waste poses an environmental and health risk and, finally, that nuclear energy is unnecessary as there are better alternative energy sources that are renewable. This essay, however, will refute these arguments by explaining that nuclear energy has an excellent safety record, that nuclear waste is a manageable problem, and finally, that nuclear energy can coincide with renewable energy sources to combat warming global and meet energy demand. First, Greenpeace (nd) states that the co...... half of the document ...... Stand Point, seen on 10 November. US Environmental Protection Agency 2007, Radiation Risks and Realities, viewed 10 November 2011, < http ://epa.gov/radiation/docs/402-k-07-006.pdf>.Walker, R 2008, Wind Farms 'Threat to National Security', NowPublic, accessed 10 November 2011,< http://www. nowpublic.com/crime/wind-farms-threat-national-security>.Wehrwein, P 2011, Radiation Risk in Japan: Understanding Radiation Measurements and PuttingThem in Perspective, Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical School, viewed 10 November 2011, .World Nuclear Association 2011, The Nuclear Renaissance, seen 10 November 2011,.