#头条文章养成计划#
You may remember the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, which caused severe damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant and attracted global attention. Ten years on, the Japanese government intends to discharge radioactive wastewater from nuclear power plants into the Pacific Ocean. The plan has been strongly opposed and questioned at home and abroad, with many fearing that it will have irreversible effects on marine ecology and human health.
In the face of such controversy, what should the Japanese government do? It came up with a strange idea: live streaming fish swimming in treated tanks online. It's part of a multimillion-dollar campaign to convince people that it's safe to release radioactive water. In addition to this, the Japanese government broadcasts advertisements on television and train stations, publishes articles in newspapers, holds forums in high schools across the country, and promotes the safety of Fukushima food at public events and festivals.
Are these practices really convincing? Why did the Japanese government do this? Let's take a look together.
Why is Japan pumping nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean?
After the Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged in the earthquake and tsunami, a large amount of contaminated water was accumulated to cool the molten fuel rods. This contaminated water is treated by a device called the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which removes most radionuclides but not tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Currently, the Fukushima nuclear power plant has stored more than 1.3 million tons of treated radioactive water, enough to fill 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Due to limited storage space, the Japanese government decided to dilute the water and discharge it into the Pacific Ocean starting in 2023.
The Japanese government insists the process is safe. It claims that the treated radioactive water contains only trace amounts of tritium, a low-risk radioactive substance found in both natural and man-made environments. It also claims that treated radioactive water will be diluted well below global safety limits and slowly released over a period of 30 to 40 years, meaning that trace amounts of radioactivity in the water have negligible effects on human health and the environment.
The Japanese government is also supported by authoritative institutions and scientists such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). After a two-year review, the IAEA concluded that Japan's emissions plan met global safety standards and said it would oversee its implementation. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said "radiological impacts on humans and the environment are negligible".
Why are people opposed to Japan's discharge of nuclear wastewater?
Despite scientific evidence and safety assurances from both the Japanese government and the IAEA, many remain skeptical and even strongly opposed to Japan's emissions plans. These include governments and citizens from neighboring countries, especially China and South Korea, local fishermen and residents of Fukushima, and independent scientists and environmental groups. Their objections are based on the following grounds:
The discharge of nuclear wastewater will cause damage to marine ecology. The ocean is one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, providing humans with food, oxygen, the water cycle, climate regulation and many other services. The oceans are also the most diverse habitat on Earth, home to millions of species, many of which remain undiscovered and unstudied. The discharge of nuclear wastewater can cause radiation contamination of marine organisms, affecting their growth, reproduction and genes, and even leading to their death or extinction. These organisms include not only species that are directly eaten such as fish, shellfish, and seaweeds, but also corals, seagrasses, plankton, and other species that make up the marine food chain and carbon sink. The discharge of nuclear wastewater will disrupt the balance of marine ecology and affect marine functions and services.
The discharge of nuclear wastewater poses a threat to human health. Humans have a close connection with the ocean, which is not only an important source of food for mankind, but also an important place for leisure and tourism for mankind. The discharge of nuclear wastewater allows radioactive materials to enter the marine food chain and enter the human body through the consumption of contaminated seafood, causing cancer, malformations, genetic mutations and other diseases. The discharge of nuclear wastewater will also allow radioactive materials to spread to other sea areas, and enter the land through seawater, sea wind, rain and snow, etc., affecting human drinking water, crops, air quality, etc. Discharging nuclear wastewater increases the risk of human exposure to radiation and endangers human health and safety.
The discharge of nuclear wastewater can cause socio-economic losses. The discharge of nuclear wastewater affects fisheries and tourism in Fukushima and surrounding areas, which are one of the main sources of local income. Due to consumer concerns about contaminated seafood and attractions, these industries will face a decline in market demand and credibility, leading to reduced incomes and jobs. The discharge of nuclear wastewater will also affect Japan's trade and diplomatic relations with other countries and regions that may impose bans or restrictions on Japanese products and services to protect their own interests and safety. The discharge of nuclear wastewater would damage Japan's image and credibility in the international community and trigger distrust and resentment in other countries and regions.
Discharging nuclear wastewater is an irresponsible act. Discharging nuclear wastewater is a convenient move taken by the Japanese government to save costs and time, rather than a scientifically sound and morally justified choice. The Japanese government has not fully considered the possible long-term and transboundary impacts of the discharge of nuclear wastewater, nor has it fully solicited and respected the opinions and interests of other countries and regions. The Japanese government has not sufficiently explored and tried other safer and sustainable treatment methods, nor has it been sufficiently transparent and open to the data and details of its emissions plans. The Government of Japan has not fulfilled its responsibilities and obligations as a user of nuclear energy and has not complied with the international treaties and conventions to which it is a party. Discharging nuclear wastewater is an act of disrespect and irresponsibility for the ocean, humanity and the future.
How does the Japanese government convince people that it is safe to discharge nuclear wastewater?
In the face of so much opposition, the Japanese government is reluctant to change or delay its discharge plan, and instead tries to convince people that it is safe to discharge nuclear wastewater. These include:
Create commercials and promos. The Japanese government aired a series of advertisements and videos on television and at train stations, using animations, graphs, cartoons and other forms to explain the causes, processes and effects of its emissions plans. These advertisements and promotional videos try to dispel fears and misconceptions about nuclear wastewater in simple and understandable language, emphasizing its safety and necessity.
Publish articles and reports. The Japanese government has published a number of articles and reports in newspapers that support the rationality and legitimacy of its emissions plans with data and facts. These articles and reports cite the views and assessments of authoritative institutions and scientists such as the IAEA, claiming that the discharge of nuclear wastewater meets global safety standards and does not pose a danger to humans and the environment.
Live fish swimming in tank. The Japanese government livestreamed footage of fish swimming in treated tanks online, a visual way to show that nuclear wastewater has no effect on marine life. Known as "Fukushima fish," these fish are caught in the waters near Fukushima and tested and placed in tanks containing treated nuclear wastewater. The Japanese government says the fish are healthy and not contaminated with radiation.
Host forums and events. The Japanese government has held a number of forums in high schools across the country, inviting experts, teachers, students, etc. to participate in the discussion, aiming to "provide opportunities for the younger generation who are responsible for the future to understand and think about these issues." The Japanese government also promotes the safety of Fukushima food at public events and festivals, inviting influential people to taste and recommend Fukushima-made seafood, fruits, rice, etc.
Are these practices really convincing?
The Japanese government may think that these practices will increase the credibility and acceptance of its emissions plans, but in fact, they may be counterproductive. Because these practices have the following problems:
Lack of openness and transparency. Advertisements, videos, articles, reports, etc. produced by the Japanese government are based on data and information of its own choice or provision, without fully disclosing or disclosing all the details and impacts of its emissions plan. The Japanese government has also not adequately responded to or addressed the questions and concerns raised by other countries and regions, fishermen and residents, scientists, and environmental organizations. The Japanese government's approach gives people the feeling of covering up the truth and misleading public opinion, rather than a sense of frank communication and building trust.
Lack of fairness and respect. In advancing its discharge plan, the Japanese government has not sufficiently solicited and respected the opinions and interests of other countries and regions, fishermen and residents, scientists, and environmental organizations. The Japanese government has also not fully considered or compensated for the losses and harm that its discharge plan may cause to other countries and regions, fishermen and residents, scientists and environmental organizations. The Japanese government's approach gives people a sense of selfishness and disregard for others, rather than a sense of win-win cooperation and respect for others.
Lack of innovation and sustainability. The Japanese government has not fully explored and tried other safer and sustainable methods for dealing with nuclear wastewater, but has chosen the most convenient and cheapest method. The Japanese government also did not adequately anticipate or address the long-term and transboundary impacts of its emissions plans, focusing instead on short-term and partial effects. The Japanese Government's approach gives a sense of lack of responsibility and foresight, rather than a sense of creativity and vision.
In short, the Japanese government wants to dump nuclear wastewater into the sea, which is a very dangerous and irresponsible thing, which will have a serious impact on marine ecology, human health, social economy and so on. The Japanese government has tried to convince people that it is safe to discharge nuclear wastewater, but these methods are very problematic, and instead of convincing, they make people more skeptical and opposed. We should oppose the Japanese government's emission plan, ask it to stop or postpone emissions, find other safer and sustainable ways to deal with them, and fully communicate and consult with other countries and regions, fishermen and residents, scientists and environmental organizations. We should protect our common oceans and protect our common future.