102 Global News Post 2
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This article was posted on Global Voices, and was written by authors Mong Palatino and Nevin Thompson. The article discusses the potential release of contaminated wastewater, approximately 1.3 million tons, from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific ocean. Besides the fact that this is a nuclear power plant, in 2011, there was an earthquake and a tsunami that resulted in the power plant having a core meltdown, and the groundwater below became contaminated with radioactive materials. The water has now since then been treated and stored, but that could potentially be released into the ocean. There is obviously mass backlash from both the citizens of Japan as well as nations around the world, specifically the Pacific community. The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) said that “Based on our experience with nuclear contamination, continuing with ocean discharge plans at this time is simply inconceivable…”. There are multiple sources used in this article as evidence, some of those including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the secretary general of the PIF, and more. All of these sources include both pro and anti dumping wastewater into the Pacific ocean, so you’re able to see both sides of the argument. This can also be said about the narratives discussed in the article, as you’re seeing why people are in support of it, although most of the support comes from big corporations. It’s really important that the Pacific community was acknowledged and their input on the situation was shared because they are at the forefront of the problems this contaminated wastewater will cause. This release isn’t scheduled for another few months as TEPCO and the IAEA are still finishing their reports regarding the releasing of the water.
Amid fears of contamination, Japan will soon dump treated water from Fukushima Nuclear Plant into the Pacific. (2023, January 31). Global Voices. https://globalvoices.org/2023/01/31/amid-fears-of-contamination-japan-will-soon-dump-treated-water-from-fukushima-nuclear-plant-into-the-pacific/