reactor 4 (web picture)
Last month, on 26 of April, the world marked the 30 years anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986).
"To err is human" - but, it could also be fatal. The above disaster was due to human error. The operators of reactor 4 at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, made some serious mistakes during a safety test - the result of which became known as the worst ever nuclear disaster in history .
Following the explosion within reactor 4 were: release of radiation (much more than that released by the american bomb dropped on Hiroshima), deaths, evacuations, diseases, an exclusion (ghost) zone of 30 km radius around Chernobyl .
According to what has been reported in the media so far, the exclusion zone remains almost uninhabited. There are some 200 elderly living here at their own risk, a group of officials that administrate the zone, and about 3000 people that work in the plant (in rotation shift) to finish the construction of the sarcophagus that is supposed to prevent further radiation leakage. Since 2011, the area is open to short, escorted domestic and international tours.
Nuclear Power and Climate Change, whether combined ( as in the case of Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by earthquake ) or separately, might gradually terminate the world.
I think we can't do much about these two factors, and that's very frustrating, especially as climate is becoming more and more anomalous. What we ordinary people could do, is perhaps, pay more attention to where we live and be aware of / evaluate the dangers of our immediate environment.
Knowing the facts, some people may decide on relocation to a safer place.
Knowing the facts, some people may decide on relocation to a safer place.
Here in Poland we suffered huge radiation, esp as noone told us about it when it happened and only a few days later....
ReplyDeleteOla,
ReplyDeleteYes,indeed. Radiation fallout reached most Europe countries. Only two days later, on the 28 of April, after alarms at a Sweden nuclear plant, did the Soviet Union admit publicly the occurrence of the accident at Chernobyl.
I remember when I was younger thinking the same thing about people that lived in areas where their water was tainted or the air was making them sick. Or power lines where they lived was causing their hair to fall out. And I always thought, "geesh, why don't they just leave?"
ReplyDeleteBut now that I live in California where there is a serious drought and Valley Fever is a real and imminent danger and some days it's just not safe to be outdoors I realize that I can't just up and leave because I've put down roots. I can't uproot my mother and take her to live in Arizona which is where I would like to go because her friends and her other children and her grand and great grandchildren are here. There's always a reason why some people choose to stay. It's sad that those elderly people choose to stay, I wonder why?
Alicia,
ReplyDeletePerhaps the younger ones, when they face the prospect of buying a house, might consider a location far from forests (fire danger) , water bodies(flooding danger), nuclear or biological plants (radiation/toxicity danger).Proximity to war zones is also a good reason to relocate. The thing is climate changes are moving fast and find us helpless and unprepared.
It is a frightening part of world history. Sometimes I just cannot watch any more news. I get terribly depressed. I fear for the grandkids.
ReplyDeleteJennifer A.Jilks,
ReplyDeleteEven after 30 years, people are unable to grasp the Horror of what has happened at Chernobyl.There's still confusion about the past and especially about the future.In the meantime, the place has been taken on by wildlife and vegetation which seem to be more resilent than human beings.
this is such a thoughtful post, i really like this. i totally agree on how every one should pay more attention, definitely makes an important change.
ReplyDeletebbb,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad you agree with me. I do believe that we should be more aware of the dangers in our surroundings.
I have enjoyed catching up on your blog. The pictures are delightful, except for the disaster. Hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteLinda O'Connel,
ReplyDeleteWell, if you're referring to my last post , it has only one picture. I've chosen the one which is closer to the feeling of disaster. I don't think I'll ever visit that place , so I had to pick up a relevant picture out of the many on the Web.
I was a very little boy when this happened, but I can still vividly remember following it on the evening news every night and hearing my parents talk about its implications for the world and the possibilities of other nuclear disasters. It was a very fearful time. One of my friends is studying in Switzerland and her class will be visiting the site soon. I am very interested to hear what she has to say afterwards!
ReplyDeleteHi Duta, I agree. I read about Chernobyl and the devastation it left. Scary, and heartbreaking. We need to be careful what we as humans are doing in this world.
ReplyDeleteOptimistic Existentialist,
ReplyDeleteThat's brave of your friend and her class to go visit the disaster area. It will, indeed, be very interesting to hear about her impressions.
Thanks for your comment.
Nikki(Sarah),
ReplyDeleteWe can only pray and hope that the lesson was learnt.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
What a thoughtful comment you made: "Wood is solid and beautiful like the ties in your family."
ReplyDeleteThank you! We don't talk much to extended family. Mom's funeral caused some furor. sigh.
Jennifer A.Jilks,
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I love wood, but recently I've become in love with plastic. I value its ease of cleaning and moving. It comes with age, I suppose.
"Since 2011, the area is open to short, escorted domestic and international tours."
ReplyDeleteThat sounds crazy. Why go there?
I wonder if the 3,000 workers and the 200 elderly residents have health effects from the radiation? I saw a show once about the wild animals now thriving in that area. A woman rode her motorcycle through there and filmed them. They looked normal. I suppose it's hard to tell by appearance only.
These are short one day trips. A lot of preparation before: permits, adequate outfits,radiation measure device,special showering afterwards etc..Educationally, it's important. I believe there are many curious scientists among the tourists.
DeleteThese are short one day trips. A lot of preparation before: permits, adequate outfits,radiation measure device,special showering afterwards etc..Educationally, it's important. I believe there are many curious scientists among the tourists.
Delete