I am writing this a few days after a major earthquake and tsunami devastated parts of Japan. How tragic and painful it must be for the millions of people immediately affected. I cannot wrap my head around the scope of this tragedy. Ultimately it will affect everyone in the world economically, ecologically and geologically.
The price of oil, already under pressure by the unrest in the Middle East, will continue to climb to new highs as nuclear energy will be a less attractive energy source due to a backlash of public opinion. Ironically what is learned from the aftermath of the Japanese event will allow nuclear plants to be better designed, and eventually more common, because there are few alternatives to them. Sure we can continue to turn corn into ethanol, creating less energy than used to create it, while millions starve around the world. (I think I just described a Malthusian-based Ponzi scheme.) Numerous governments will be destabilized as prices rise and hungry people with no hope rise up against them.
The environmental impact of the reactors that are melting down is yet to play out. Variables include the length of time before the cores are cooled and the short-term weather patterns. A northeastern wind would put the fallout over 30+ million people around Tokyo. Where is the radioactive sea water used to cool the reactors going? I have yet to see a news report that mentions that nuclear fallout is headed to the United States. With apologies to Frank Zappa: “Watch out where the huskies go and don’t you eat that glowing snow.”
The quake actually moved Japan eight feet and affected the tilt of the earth on its axis. Nothing happens in a vacuum and the shifting plates will have some unknown impact on California’s San Andres Fault and even the giant magma pool under Yellowstone National Park.
There is nothing we can do about stopping any of these events but we can prepare for the aftermath. Do you have emergency supplies in your home? This should include water, food, a radio, batteries, a power generator and first aid kits. Here is a link to a FEMA web site that gives recommendations of what you should have to be ready: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/.
So if you cannot be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent at least be prepared!
The price of oil, already under pressure by the unrest in the Middle East, will continue to climb to new highs as nuclear energy will be a less attractive energy source due to a backlash of public opinion. Ironically what is learned from the aftermath of the Japanese event will allow nuclear plants to be better designed, and eventually more common, because there are few alternatives to them. Sure we can continue to turn corn into ethanol, creating less energy than used to create it, while millions starve around the world. (I think I just described a Malthusian-based Ponzi scheme.) Numerous governments will be destabilized as prices rise and hungry people with no hope rise up against them.
The environmental impact of the reactors that are melting down is yet to play out. Variables include the length of time before the cores are cooled and the short-term weather patterns. A northeastern wind would put the fallout over 30+ million people around Tokyo. Where is the radioactive sea water used to cool the reactors going? I have yet to see a news report that mentions that nuclear fallout is headed to the United States. With apologies to Frank Zappa: “Watch out where the huskies go and don’t you eat that glowing snow.”
The quake actually moved Japan eight feet and affected the tilt of the earth on its axis. Nothing happens in a vacuum and the shifting plates will have some unknown impact on California’s San Andres Fault and even the giant magma pool under Yellowstone National Park.
There is nothing we can do about stopping any of these events but we can prepare for the aftermath. Do you have emergency supplies in your home? This should include water, food, a radio, batteries, a power generator and first aid kits. Here is a link to a FEMA web site that gives recommendations of what you should have to be ready: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/.
So if you cannot be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent at least be prepared!