Nuclear policy decisions present fundamental challenges to a democratic society. They involve complex technical issues and risks that are hard to measure and assess over time. Much nuclear information has historically been highly restricted because of its actual or perceived national security importance. Nations have traditionally put high priority on developing civilian and military nuclear technologies, so the responsible agencies often enjoy special access to national leaders and protection from public oversight and accountability.

Two ways we can use to get nuclear energy:

Nuclear Fission—Splitting of Atoms.

When a nucleus fissions, it splits into several smaller fragments. These fragments, or fission products, are about equal to half the original mass. Two or three neutrons are also emitted. The sum of the masses of these fragments is less than the original mass. This 'missing' mass (about 0.1 percent of the original mass) has been converted into energy according to Einstein's equation. Fission can occur when a nucleus of a heavy atom captures a neutron, or it can happen spontaneously.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fission/Fission1.shtml.

Nuclear Fusion—Joining of Atoms.

Nuclear energy can also be released by fusion of two light elements (elements with low atomic numbers). The power that fuels the sun and the stars is nuclear fusion. In a hydrogen bomb, two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium are fused to form a nucleus of helium and a neutron. This fusion releases 17.6 MeV of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, there is no limit on the amount of the fusion that can occur.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fusion/Fusion1.shtml.

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