Fukushima Daiichi sits on a floodplain between mountains and the ocean. The idea is to divert the groundwater around the complex so that it's no longer contaminated by contact with the underground molten cores. Smaller ice walls have been built, but nothing on this scale. The Japan Nuclear Regulatory Commission is worried that diverting the water will cause the ground under the reactors to settle, destabilizating the buildings and perhaps toppling them. Nevertheless, the plan is going forward. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/13/doubts-giant-ice-wall-fukushima-nuclear-reactors
After three months of placing pipes deep in the ground and sending hypercooled solution through them, TEPCO has failed to freeze the ground around the plant. http://enenews.com/tv-ice-wall-wont-freeze It blames the problem on the fact that the groundwater is flowing too fast, but it seems to me that the molten cores inside the wall must make the ground itself pretty hot. Even if the plan succeeds, it will take an enormous amount of energy and money to maintain the freezing. But so far, Mr. Masuda has no guarantee that he can keep his promise.
The country is still facing an
unprecedented nuclear crisis that continues to spread across its land
and ocean, and even across national borders. There still is no
provisions for a safe work environment at Fukushima Complex. The
evacuated people still haven't secured safe and healthy living
environments, nor are they financially stable.
Instead of spending resources on the Olympic Games, Japan should make it a priority to restore the affected people's livelihood as well as to prevent further radioactive contamination.
Please sign this
petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/352/112/859/radioactive-tokyo-resign-as-host-of-2020-olympics/
We, the undersigned, join
Ambassador Mitsuhei Murata in calling for "an honorable retreat"
for Japan, resigning the position of Host for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Since Fukushima is already contaminating Tokyo, says Mr. Murata,
bringing people there in large numbers for the games (and the workers
building the facilities before that event) is immoral and unethical.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/352/112/859/radioactive-tokyo-resign-as-host-of-2020-olympics/
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