Nuclear Power Crisis

Nuclear power has always raised question marks. What is nuclear power, and is it safe? Will this help solve the global warming crisis? What are the long term effects from nuclear power?

Japan has recently suffered a disastrous earthquake followed by a tsunami; thousands of Japanese lost their lives and their homes from this natural disaster. On top of that, the country is now facing a threat from the nuclear power plants that suffered critical damage from both disasters.

The nuclear power plants in Japan are giving off radiation which could be contaminating their food, water and themselves.

The Vancouver Sun is reporting the “radiation levels in the sea off of Fukushima Daiichi plant have soared to 1,250 times normal just over two weeks.”

The Japanese government has told at least 10,000 people living in 20 miles radius from the nuclear power plants to leave for their safety.

Japanese are living in fear; they had to leave their homes for the rest of their lives because of this harmful radiation.

What does this mean to us living in the United States?

MSNBC’s Last Word host Lawrence O’Donnell claims, “Most Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant.”

Houston is in a 90-mile radius from a power plant in College Station; also another on in Matagorda County.

A Texas utility company wants to expand their business by building a new power plants near Bay City, Texas. Although, no new power plant has won approval from the federal government many want this expanison to happen.

Many residents believe that the power plants would create new jobs and help create clean power to save the environment.

With the recent events the plan of building new plants has been put on the back burner. The company addresses they have “multiple, unique safety features designed to prevent similar disasters here in Texas.” They also go on to say “the safety systems are located in water-tight, concrete buildings designed to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, storm surges and flooding.”

Could these nuclear power plants cause a threat to us?

Radiation poisoning is a true possibility that could affect thousands who live near a nuclear power plant exposing themselves to radiation.

Did you know that radiation is emitted from x-ray machines, microwaves, infrared lights, and in radio waves. The mostly commonly used treatment to treat cancer is chemotherapy (a form a radiation).

Americans are constantly exposed to forms of radiation every day; due to the media and this event, many have suddenly became aware of the effects from radiation.

Nuclear power has always been a political issue; candidates need to stand up strongly if they are for it or against it.

I believe this issue will be relevant in the future election, the media will be constantly updating the situation in Japan following up how much progress they have made. Whether the nuclear power plants have shut down over there or if there has been any long term effects coming from this disaster.