Japan

Taz writes:I'm about to say something that on its face value appears heartless. But someone has to say it. If a devastating earthquake and tsunami have to occur, thank goodness it wasn't another 3rd world country. The level of suffering doesn't linger as long in a 1st world country as it does in a 3rd world country.

frako writes:Damm this erthquake was powerfull we mesured it and we are practicly on the other side of the globe. The days got shorter by 1 milisecond i think and the erths tilt got mowed by 10 cm.

frako writes:Lol ours (only got one,only 2 million of us dont need more) is also built on a faultline tough safe from tcunamies.dunno why they built it there probably the worst spot to put it in slovenija.

slevesque writes:Hi Rahvin,You realize that uranium must be mined too, right ? How many deaths per capita are there in that type of mining compared to coal.I don't really have a strong opinion on this since in Quebec we are world-leaders in Hydro-electricity (and the funny thing is, that there is a rising movement in the population claiming this is not clean energy :S) and also have a huge eolian potential in the northern part of the province, so Nuclear isn't really an option (we have only one nuclear plant, and apperently it's very safe)But I found it a bit odd to include deaths by mining coal, and not by mining uranium.

Rahvin writes:i do wonder - what do people here believe is the worst case scenario for a nuclear disaster?Chernobyl? That was far and away the worst so far. Is that as bad as you think it gets? Do you think it could be worse? What do you think would actually happen if a RAR TERRORIST flew a plane into a nuclear power plant? What specifically do you think would happen?

Taq writes:Interesting NYT article that details long standing criticisms of the reactor design:MSN | Outlook, Office, Skype, Bing, Breaking News, and Latest Videos

quote:

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The warnings were stark and issued repeatedly as far back as 1972: If the cooling systems ever failed at a Mark 1 nuclear reactor, the primary containment vessel surrounding the reactor would probably burst as the fuel rods inside overheated. Dangerous radiation would spew into the environment.

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I'm not an expert on nuclear reactor designs, but it does sound like there is some truth to the idea that these reactors are substandard.

dronester writes:Anybody read this article in National Geographic? Very interesting:Small Town Nukes
National Geographic Magazine"Small reactors can't address all the problems standing in the way of more nuclear investment, but they can address the biggest barriersthe economic ones,""Besides costing less to build, some small reactors could be inherently SAFER, . . ."(BTW, this was a most interesting thread/topic. Most particpants had valid thoughts and examples that were thought provoking. IMHO, this is what EvC should be about. Thanks all)

Son writes:Just to be clear, hydrogene cannot be a source of energy, it's just storing energy since hydrogene produced comes from water.

1.61803 writes:very pretty, now go have a picnic there. I dare you.

1.61803 writes:go ahead. I'll pass. Why your at it go have a swim at Bikini, and perhaps a bit of sushi in Fukashima.

1.61803 writes:Hi Rahvin, I already said I am not a expert. I already said I am not a nuclear academic. I already conceded that your mention of how minor the death toll of chernobly was and how even in the face of hundreds of thousands killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By willful use of nuclear power,
Hitler still managed to instutute geneocide. And Kill More people than was killed by H bombs.
Hypocracy and fear are common place. Yes there are a great many things that pose a far greater risk than nuclear power does. I also admit I do not know how a nuclear plant works.All I know is this, there are multiple nuclear meltdowns in progress for what ever reasons. There is a potential for loss of life and contamination on a wide scale. I am aware of the longevity of radioactive contamination, and the waste that is produced. Because I am aware of how lacks cornercutting bueracracies and corporations can ram shit through. I am thankful I live in America. Thank goodness for paranoid hippies. Otherwise there would be a corporate run nuclear plant in every city in America run with the same feckless attitudes as those on the deepwater horizon oil rig. Regardless of the emergency it seems the same attitudes and placation always seems to takes place, "this is a isolated incident." "This is a perfect storm"...etc.. well I call bull shit. The reason people are afraid of nuclear plants is well founded. They are dangerous. If they were not then wtf is going on in Japan. I assure you it isnt Godzilla.
I am not against nuclear power. I just wish more would be done to build up wind/solar and other such infrastructures. I do fear the poliferation of nuclear plants all over the U.S. This recent tragedy is not helping my fears.