Posted on SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2011
The recent catastrophe in Japan caused by simultaneous earthquake and tsunami is turning into a deep disaster by the successive explosions of the coastal nuclear reactors. The cooling systems of Fukushima reactors had failed and partial meltdown of the cores had taken place- total meltdown of the cores with devastating consequences affecting lakhs of people is not ruled out. the continued malfunctioning of the safety systems may give rise to a situation which goes beyond general comprehension.
The recent catastrophe in Japan caused by simultaneous earthquake and tsunami is turning into a deep disaster by the successive explosions of the coastal nuclear reactors. The cooling systems of Fukushima reactors had failed and partial meltdown of the cores had taken place- total meltdown of the cores with devastating consequences affecting lakhs of people is not ruled out. the continued malfunctioning of the safety systems may give rise to a situation which goes beyond general comprehension.
Japan has a long tradition of developing quake-resistant construction technology and the structures had withstood the 8.9 richter quake with little damage. The reactor buildings initially withstood the shocks but accumulation of hydrogen produced in the reactor reached an unprecedented pressure and temperature level and finally blew up the very strongly designed buildings leaving the reactor shell starkly bare and releasing large amount of radioactive dust. Core meltdown may lead eventually to a chernobil-type disaster which had so far taken nearly 10 lakh lives.
The events have again brought before us the old and critical question --- how safe are the nuclear reactors? can the safety be guaranteed at all conditions?
Whatever the assurances from the nuclear lobby a time has come to make our choice firmly - once for all. Shall we live with the lurking danger or get rid of the nuclear menace closing the running reactors and stopping construction of new plants at whatever stage these are.
The shutting down of all the nuclear power plants of India will cause only 3% fall in electricity generation level and this shortage can be very easily overcome through conservation measures. We are sure that the people will, for the sake of safety of not only theirs but also the future generations, will opt for the shut down of inherently dangerous nuclear plants.
The shutting down of all the nuclear power plants of India will cause only 3% fall in electricity generation level and this shortage can be very easily overcome through conservation measures. We are sure that the people will, for the sake of safety of not only theirs but also the future generations, will opt for the shut down of inherently dangerous nuclear plants.
While we make this demand we also urge that we rethink the issue of our energy demand. any serious consideration of our present social life pattern would show that it involves such mindless profligacy that it is bound to be reflected in any meaningful social energy audit. If we have any regard for this planet earth and life here and now then we must restrain ourselves in our consumption, production and belligerent activities.
We may also add that a nuclear world is a shamefully secretive and nontransparent world that Niels Bohr in those early days foresaw and sought to fight but failed. Let the exact situation of the Fukushima Plants be made public. We don't need parental guidance from Nuclear Authorities.
LET US ALL DEMAND -'STOP NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS' - 'NUCLEAR IS NOT SAFE !
