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High Risk Energy Sources

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The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan raised new concerns about the risk of another nuclear reactor disaster.  The explosion of the FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT gives our citizens cause to re-examine the risk assumed by the public. At this writing, the full extent of the damage to the plant, the community, and the environment is unknown - it will take years.

At the same time concerns over the high risks associated with extracting natural gas and as noted in a Financial Times article is "energy that comes from the same place as our drinking water. Extracting it had better be safe. The political fault lines over hydraulic fracturing (hence the term fracking) have been easy to predict for anyone paying attention to the controversies over climate change and genetically modified organisms. France’s national assembly voted to ban fracking while in the US its been full steam ahead in 32 states. These are high risk alternative energy sources. 

 

Curated by mokiethecat

How The Exxon Valdez Disaster Still Affects Victims Today

The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, which released over 40 million liters of crude oil into Alaska's pristine waterways, continues to have lasting effects. Decades later, oil still pollutes the shores, and bankrupted fishermen await a $5 billion payout granted in 1994.

After appeals, the payout was reduced to $2.5 billion, and fishermen fear the pro-business US Supreme Court may leave them with nothing. While ExxonMobil claims the area has recovered, locals and scientific evidence dispute this, citing vastly depleted fish stocks. Many plaintiffs have died or lost hope as the legal battle drags on, feeling cheated by Exxon's claims of responsible action.

For more information, visit: http://www.journeyman.tv/?lid=58958&bid=2

EarthSayer Steve Smith

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