A long term solution to our energy requirements is nuclear fusion. One major difference between energy from nuclear fusion sources and fission is that there are no harmful byproducts from fusion while fission power plants generate harmful radioactive waste (think Chernobyl). Another difference is that fission is currently working technology while fusion is still in the research stage. The technology has come a long way in the past few decades as is described in the embedded video:
However, it still requires more energy to generate the plasma stream than you can get out from the reactor.
We need to include research and development monies in our national budget for fusion as this is the only current long term solution thought of so far that could get us completely off carbon generating power plants.
Here is a good web site describing the benefits of Nuclear Fusion:
Nuclear Fusion: Energy for the Future?
