I think, perhaps, that lithium batteries are a necessary evil. When treated properly and when they work correctly, they can provide a lot of rechargeable energy storage that modern society has found to be necessary. They kind of remind me of the very large fuel storage and power needed for the Space Shuttle. Treated and managed properly, the amount of energy needed to get the job done justifies the risks involved. But, if something goes wrong...
Perhaps nuclear power generation is similar. Society has increasing needs for energy production in large quantities. Fossil fuels satisfied this need for a long time, but there is a concern about pollution. Wind and solar power generation lacks capacity and only provides power in an inconsistent manner. Early methods of power generation using nuclear fuel sources satisfies the need for large amounts of consistent power generation, but hazards and waste products can be dangerous and frustrating. Perhaps technological advances would solve those problems to a satisfactory degree, but fear and uncertainty created barriers to progress that seemed to be politically untenable.
The PBS series
Frontline produced some interesting updates on nuclear power research and progress made that seems to promise significant safety in future designs, but progress in research and development has been slow... probably due to a lack of government support as politicians distance themselves from an unpopular subject. As a result our need for clean energy sources seems to have placed society in a real quandary — a state of not being able to decide what to do about conflicting desires and needs for large, portable sources of clean energy that is safe and affordable.