Final answer:
Nuclear energy doesn't produce carbon emissions, making it a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. However, it generates hazardous nuclear waste, has the potential for catastrophic accidents, and poses a risk of nuclear proliferation.
Step-by-step explanation:
While nuclear energy is a highly efficient power source that produces no carbon emissions, it is not without its dangers. One significant danger is the production of nuclear waste, which remains hazardous for thousands of years and poses a formidable challenge in terms of safe long-term storage.
Accidents at nuclear power plants, although rare, can have devastating impacts, as seen in historical events such as Chernobyl leading to the release of long-lived radiation into the environment. Additionally, there is the risk of nuclear proliferation, as the materials used in power plants can potentially be used to create nuclear weapons, posing a societal risk that extends globally.