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Fukushima Denial/Awareness

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It's easy to ignore or deny the ongoing danger from Fukushima, for a number of reasons. Japan experienced a triple catastrophe in March 2011- earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdowns. Since the first two were short-lived. self-limiting events, with recovery from both well under way, it's easy to put Fukushima into the same category. But unlike an earthquake or tsunami, which wreaks havoc and then is finished and done with, a damaged nuclear facility is like a wounded beast- exceedingly dangerous and hard to control. The aftereffects can last for thousands, even millions of years. But unlike earthquakes and floods, radiation cannot be seen, heard, smelled, experienced directly. The effects of cancer, sterility, birth defects, etc often don't occur until years later. Without an immediate and tangible threat, it's easy to push the menace of Fukushima out of our consciousness.


We've lived with thermonuclear weapons, thousands of them, perched on top of missiles in a number of countries, on hair trigger alert, for 60 odd years. Despite the bitter animosities among nuclear nations, and the occasional hot wars, these devastating weapons have not been detonated, the feared nuclear holocaust which would wipe out life on earth has not occurred, and so we've relaxed our vigilance. We've come to trust that our species is able to control the genie which was unleashed in 1945. We don't pay attention to the radioactive dust emitting deadly alpha particles now blowing around the planet from the use of "depleted" uranium weaponry. Similarly, we've embraced nuclear energy, ignoring the omnipresent problem of spent nuclear fuel, for which no good means of disposal has yet been found.


There is enormous, but deeply buried fear associated with nuclear disaster. It affects the very stuff of life, the DNA, the basic genetic code for all living beings- animal, vegetable, bacterial. We all have the image of a mushroom cloud tucked away deep in our brain, with lots of rationalizations for ignoring it, and living as if the threat of annihilation was not ever-present. There is deep despair, psychic numbing, a sense of great helplessness and inability to affect the situation. The science is intimidating, the governments and agencies involved seem out of reach, the media is untrustworthy. So the general public uses the strategy of ignoring the problem.


What can we do to empower ourselves and deal realistically with the ongoing threat posed by the Fukushima nuclear disaster?


First, we must look at the urgency. As the NYT puts it: W hether the chances (of disaster) are small or large, changes should be made quickly because of the magnitude of the potential calamity. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/world/asia/concerns-grow-about-spent-fuel-rods-at-damaged-nuclear-plant-in-japan.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

I highly recommend this article, which presents a balanced overview of the situation.


Secondly, we must mobilize public support to force this quick change. The Japanese government seems more intent on reassuring people than on accelerating the cleanup. This is understandable, given the enormous expense required- estimated at $500 BILLION dollars. Japan should ask for international assistance, especially since the entire planet would be affected by another explosion at Fukushima. This step has not been taken, and international pressure is required to bring it about.


Nuclear disaster affects everyone- the 1% as well as the 99%. It does not discriminate on the basis of skin color, religion, political affiliation, neighborhood, sexual orientation, or any of the other variables which tend to divide people. Unlike the threat of nuclear war, the Fukushima situation is nonpartisan, so that national loyalties and ideologies don't come into play. This should make it easy for people to unite around the threat from the damaged reactors.


What's needed is for people to overcome denial and become aware. I recommend several measures:

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Carol S. Wolman, MD is a psychiatrist in Northern California. A lifelong peace activist, she is helping to distribute a Peace Plan for the Holy Land- email her for a copy. She also a film producer with Paradise Cove Productions, currently (more...)
 

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