Well, at this point I guess all you can do is hope for the best and maybe they can keep things from getting much worse.
8.8 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Tue, 2011-03-15 20:12
#102
Tue, 2011-03-15 20:16
#103
The backup electricity generators got some water on them. That is why the safety features of the nuclear power station failed.
Gee whiz - they knew about Tsunamis there, didn't they? And that the Pacific Ocean is right there?
This fiasco shows why alternative energy is the way to go, and why nuclear power has to go away:
A glaring shortcoming of making electricity from nuclear power is that it is not now, nor has it ever been, economical.
Remember the famous statement about nuclear power being "too cheap to meter"? - it was a bold faced LIE.
- no private bank will finance nuclear power due to the risk. That is why government financing is needed.
- construction and decommisioning of the power stations, and the handling of nuclear waste, are costs that are not included in the cost of nuclear derived electricity.
- this accident in Japan is going to add to those costs. Scrapping all six reactors due to seawater being used as emergency coolant, which ruins them [if they don't melt down completely anyway]. Plus, the costs of the emergency operations.
Wind power, for example, will never have these kinds of liabilities.
So, why DO they build nuclear power plants? It has to do with "big projects that only the Elite Wealthy can participate in". Like oil. But not wind or solar, which the average person can own and profit from.
What would happen if a Tsunami hit a wind farm? Some towers might fall down, nothing much.
FYI - nuclear plant construction causes significant releases of CO2, due to the cement needed. These GE Mark 1 nuclear plants used a lot less cement, and the result is containment buildings that are too weak to handle the hydrogen explosions.
Question - are nuclear meltdowns a good way to produce hydrogen gas for use in automobiles?
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is not informing the citizenry of the extent of the problem, including radiation leaks, because, in their own words, "we don't want to create panic".
Tue, 2011-03-15 22:47
#104
According to CNN there just was a new conference by Japanese officials who stated there is a new fire and the remaining 50 workers have suspened operations because the radiation levels are too high.
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:08
#105
Kudos to the workers who have fought so hard and most likely at the cost of their lives.
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:11
#106
They raised the maximum level the workers are allowed to be exposed to to 250 mSv, almost certainly enough for them to suffer long term effects. In actually, it's become an insane balance game between preserving the workers lives, and not endangering the lives of Japanese citizens by allowing a Chernobyl type event to come into play.
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:13
#107
I think they would have stayed regardless in order for the greater good
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:34
#108
Boom Boom
Found this on Facebook:
Prominent environmental and anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott says the calamity in Japan could spell the end of the nuclear industry worldwide.
She's been crusading on this subject for more than 30 years (I heard her speak at a conference long ago) but doesn't seem to have had much impact - her followers have grown in number, but so has the nuclear industry.
(apparently she's speaking in the Toronto area soon - if the HarperCons let her across our border)
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:35
#109
Japanese nuclear crisis might become next Chernobyl: Ukrainian expert
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-03/16/c_13781269.htm
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:40
#110
Tue, 2011-03-15 23:54
#111
Precautions Should Limit Health Problems From Nuclear Plant's Radiation
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16health.html?partner=rss&e...
Wed, 2011-03-16 00:11
#112
NDPPProminent environmental and anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott says the calamity in Japan could spell the end of the nuclear (apparently she's speaking in the Toronto area soon - if the HarperCons let her across our border)
see #89
Coverup And Denial in Japan - by Stephen Lendman
http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2011/03/coverup-and-denial-in-japan.html
"Officially, Japan's nuclear emergency is under control and contained. In fact, lies substitute for truths, denial for reality and managed news for honest reporting. A widening area is being contaminated. Tens of thousands evacuated 'may not be able to return to their homes for a considerable period' perhaps never, depending on contamination levels. More steam releases also mean spreading contamination across the Pacific..
Even top officials who lie admitted 'a very high risk' exists. In fact it's well beyond 'risk'. It's reality, affecting all Japan, the Pacific rim, and beyond. Clearly a major catastrophe is unfolding. What more is needed is to demand an immediate shut down and replacement of all nuclear facilities worldwide. Their continued use threatens all humanity."
Wed, 2011-03-16 02:31
#113
There is so much misinformation about the radiation leaks and the associated threats that we won't know how bad it is for some time to come. It would be nice if there were a source of credible, unbiased information but I'm not seeing one. Lendman's rantings are no more helpful than than the false confidence that has been expressed by TEPCO, the Japanese Government and industry apologists.
If that's not enough, there are various debates over whether nuclear power is inherently unsafe or if it's just particular designs. Some claim that this couldn't happen with CANDU reactors, for example, because they use natural uranium which will not sustain a reaction once the heavy water medium is lost.
All I'm getting is confused.
Wed, 2011-03-16 02:31
#114
There is so much misinformation about the radiation leaks and the associated threats that we won't know how bad it is for some time to come. It would be nice if there were a source of credible, unbiased information but I'm not seeing one. Lendman's rantings are no more helpful than than the false confidence that has been expressed by TEPCO, the Japanese Government and industry apologists.
If that's not enough, there are various debates over whether nuclear power is inherently unsafe or if it's just particular designs. Some claim that this couldn't happen with CANDU reactors, for example, because they use natural uranium which will not sustain a reaction once the heavy water medium is lost.
All I'm getting is confused.
Wed, 2011-03-16 03:01
#115
It seems like the Japanese government is doing it's level best to get accurate information out, it's TEPCO that's being dodgy here.
Wed, 2011-03-16 03:06
#116
If in all the postings in this thread you can't fine any that are 'unbiased' then perhaps it's because there is a consensus that this is much worse than it is being characterized by MSM and official spokespersons. Is this more what you're looking for?
Harper Says Japan Nuclear Crisis Poses No Radiation Risks for Canadians
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/japan-nuclear...
"The nuclear crisis unfolding in Japan following last week's massive earthquake and tsunami poses no risk to Canada, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 'They do not see any scenario where this presents a risk to Canada. We just simply do not see that as being plausible.'
Wed, 2011-03-16 08:09
#117
Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he is "deeply worried" about the crisis his country is facing following last Friday's earthquake and tsunami.
In an extremely rare appearance, the emperor went on live TV to make his first public comments on the disaster, and urged an all-out rescue effort.
He spoke after technicians temporarily abandoned a quake-crippled nuclear plant as radiation briefly surged.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12755739
Wed, 2011-03-16 09:07
#118
If in all the postings in this thread you can't fine any that are 'unbiased' then perhaps it's because there is a consensus that this is much worse than it is being characterized by MSM and official spokespersons. Is this more what you're looking for?
The MSM are businesses after all, occupying space next to the industrials, the financials, and all the other crooked dealers at the casino. Since the financial meltdown they've never stopped putting the happy face on millions of job losses and widespread financial ruin on Main Street, by tantalizing people with daily news of the miraculous QE driven bubble recovery underway. Bad news is unprofitable for everyone at the table after all, unless they're talking up novel excuses to wage war. They don't even bother concealing anymore the fact that they think everyone is either too stupid or too impotent to do anything about it. The standard techniques are being applied with this latest disaster, which is to keep the lid on things for as long as possible until it can't be contained any longer, while steering the escaping emergency into a justification for more draconian ruling class control of the 'situation.'
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