The world hopes that the recent radiation leak in Japan is contained and further nuclear damage averted. Having termed nuclear power, a green alternative, it is traumatizing to watch the events unfold at Japan’s nuclear power plants. The present plight of the Japanese nuclear installation is a direct consequence of the tsunami and not merely a fall-out of the earthquake. The Japanese crisis calls for more work and understanding on siting nuclear plants in the light of the discussions over Jaitapur in India.
Despite this emergency, it seems a little premature to lose faith in science and a technology that is as advanced as nuclear technology. It is time to place our trust in the competence of our scientists and repose confidence in them. Environmental activists believe coal and hydroelectric power displace and dislodge many without any accountability to their lives or livelihood. In such situations we find it suitable to connive and ignore the passive dangers that lurk behind coal mining and dam construction.
Inherent fears surrounding Japan’s present nuclear disaster should push for an agenda that gears for better standards in nuclear safety and stringent enforcement of the rules set for siting nuclear plants. Nuclear power was not written off subsequent to Chernobyl or the Three Mile Island incidents and we see no reason why its efficacy should be debated at this point in time.
The present moment needs transparency from the Japanese authorities who are working on resolving the nuclear crisis. It is only appropriate that they pass on absolute and honest information to help evolve better measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
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