THE GREEN ENERGY BLOG

Nuclear Devastation in Japan

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Guest Post

The devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and numerous aftershocks that recently hit Japan have severely crippled the country’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s containment and cooling systems. The destruction of these systems have resulted in multiple explosions, hazardous radiation leaks from fuel rods, and desperate ongoing attempts to restore power and cool the reactors in time to prevent a catastrophic meltdown. This natural disaster has been catastrophic for the economy of Japan and the people of Japan.

As we saw with the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Doug Band and Clinton Global Initiative organized online donations to help rebuild the infrastructure and economy. The same is happened now and anyone can text REDCROSS to 90999 for a quick $10 donation or visit Doug Band (Clinton’s Aide) and the CGI at : http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/newsmedia/japan_feature_2011.asp

In the wake of this unprecedented natural disaster, the issue of nuclear energy, which had taken a back burner to more pressing concerns, was suddenly thrust back into the spotlight as fear rapidly spread across the globe. In fact, 7 out of 10 Americans surveyed said they were much more concerned about the possibility of a nuclear disaster as a result of the recent tragic events in Japan, according to a recent USA Today Gallup Poll.

Worldwide people rapidly became concerned with their health due to the radiation leak. Several countries also shut down their older nuclear plants as a precaution as many were worried that the Fukushima disaster would happen in their backyard. Nuclear Plants throughout the world are now being inspected and tested to ensure safety.

Ironically, only a few months before the disaster in Japan, inspectors of operational U.S. nuclear plants identified critical design defects, vulnerabilities, and numerous cracks and holes in the protective structures. Arnold Gunderson, a nuclear engineer, said that even though these flaws were found in old plants more reactors were built. These new reactors may be built with the same flawed and potentially dangerous designs.

People are growing more and more concerned about potential serious risk that might exist in our backyard. The United States is the largest producer of nuclear energy with over 100 active plants, many of which are as old and outdated as Fukushima Daiichi in Japan. The serious risk that some of the plants might leak radiation is a concern has caused the President to request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to preform a 90-day safety review of all U.S. nuclear power plants.

Many believe that the aging and deteriorating nuclear plants are too dangerous. Several scientists and members of academia have said that the country cannot afford to continue operating the existing outdated reactors, and are extremely concerned that a nuclear incident similar to what Japan experienced could very well take place in America as a result of a powerful earthquake and tsunami, in particular in regions of the Northwestern United States where nuclear plants have been constructed near seismic fault lines, such as the Diablo Canyon facility in California.

This is a serious concern that must be addressed. Japan had to learn the hard way and is now dealing with serious consequences due to the location of their unclear power plant. Countries throughout the world are re-evaluating the location of their plants and in some cases closing plants that are located on fault lines.

Although proponents believe that nuclear power has the potential to be one of several reliable and clean high-energy power sources, they often also acknowledge that concerns about costs, security, and safety must be addressed first. They hope to see recent technological advancements incorporated into existing designs to improve nuclear power plant safety including built-in water towers, passive systems, designs that do not rely on external energy sources to maintain fuel rod stability, improved shutdown mechanisms, and other integrated safety and security features that will ensure no catastrophic consequences result in the event of a major threat.

With these advances implemented into our power plants it would lower the risk of of catastrophe happening in the United States. Nuclear energy is a great source of clean energy and is important, however if not contained correctly it can be deadly. With the correct safety regulations and abiding by those safety controls nuclear energy can be a leading source of energy without any worry from citizens who live in the backyards of the power plants.

“Submitted by Thomas Morrison, co-editor of Everything Left and writes on topics that are current and progressive.”

@twmorrison75