Cohen talks about the dangers of radioactive waste disposal. Despite public concern about radioactivity, he thinks radiation's effects are better understood than those of air pollution. Citing high emission rates from coal plants and traces of uranium in coal, he illustrates how the health hazards of nuclear power plants are actually less dangerous than coal plants. Confronting the solid nuclear waste storage problem, he cites protections already in place that make negligible contamination by underground streams. He concludes that burning valuable hydrocarbons is far more harmful to future generations than the burden of radioactive waste.