Learning from a Tragedy
| March 13, 2011 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Energy |
I was having trouble sleeping on Friday night so shockingly I was on Facebook. I started seeing comments about Japan so I turned on Al Jazeera and watched as the tsunami hit. The images are so heartbreaking and just continue to pour in. And Japan just keeps getting hit, last I heard they have had over 250 aftershocks over 5.0.
The current big threat is coming from their nuclear power plants. There was an explosion this morning and it looks like two of the reactors maybe -we are getting mixed reports- having partial meltdowns. They are dumping sea water on the reactors to try and cool them down, this is being called a “hail-mary” as it will make these reactors un-useable.
While I watch this very tragic event my one hope is that we can take one thing from this, that nuclear power is not a good energy option. If a wind turbine gets hit in a natural disaster it just stops working or worse case it falls on something. There would be no fallout or major clean-up.
There are other problems with nuclear power like the waste but these tragic events show us the biggest risk that comes with this form of power. I hope we will learn from this and not look to nuclear for a clean energy option.
With all of that being said, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan. If you would like to help with recovery you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. You can also give to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance by visiting their website.
I couldn't agree more Lisa-nuclear energy is such a frightening source of energy. I'm wondering if any thought was given to the "what ifs" associated with a natural disaster. Hopefully, if not before, these issues will have to be addressed. Thank you for sharing info on how to help.
You're exactly right, Lisa. It's time we learn that nuclear power is too dangerous to continue to be a dominant energy source.
Hopefully it does wake us up Lisa and motivates us to invest in a real way in a clean economy and future for our country. So far, the political will to move in this direction seems to be all talk and no action..(unless it is to continue to subsidize the fossil fuel industry!)
It is definitely true that nuclear power has the worst "worst-case scenario" of all the energy forms. Unfortunately, are current use of fossil fuels is unceremoniously killing thousands every year, even without an accident.