Ok let's try this out: Nuclear 101

So I've been greatly petrified by nuclear energy since I studied about the explosion in Chernobyl in 1986. We'll get to that exact subject later, but let's talk about what's happening now...

So let's start here....

Japan and it's nuclear power plants:

Full article here

 Japan has (had) some pretty reputable nuclear power plants in their country. However, the plants were not built to withstand such an intense earthquake as the one on March 11, 2011. So the nuclear power plants exploded and now radiation is flying through the air, crossing through to other countries and eventually reaching the United States (because I know a lot of you wouldn't care AS MUCH if you thought it was just in Europe). So now Japanese citizens are given iodine pills just in case they are exposed to the radioactivity. Although these iodine pills are a sorry attempt to resolving this issue, the people are literally terrified for their lives because of what they know: radioactivity has done horrific things to another group of people... and not long ago....



Russia and Chernobyl: 1986

WARNING: GRAPHIC! I did not watch the video so I do not know how graphic it will be. I do know, however, how deformed these poor children are because of other documentaries I've watched so I can't get myself to watch it again. But if you want, it is here. And there are plenty of amazing documentaries on this subject.

What- Nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Russia explodes in the spring of 1986, spreading radioactivity across Europe. TO THIS DAY, children are still suffering the consequences of this explosion.

Radioactivity is invisible. You do not know it's there. The soldiers sent out to clean up the mess all died horrible deaths due to their exposure to radiation at the power plant site. I mean HORRIBLE deaths.

Good read: 

Voices From Chernobyl

EXCELLENT READ. First hand accounts about what happened on that day and thereafter. Stories are sad and courageous and ironic all at the same time. It's a quick read because it is written conversationally since the entire books is comprised of interviews. If you really want to know how bad radiation is, this book will let you know quick and easy.

So now we are aware of two things: 

1. Chernobyl became a prime example of the downfalls of nuclear energy.

2. Japan just made us realize that we did not learn our lesson the first time. 

But do we all know how many nuclear power plants we have here in the United States? Do we also know whether or not these can withstand an earthquake the size of the one that hit Japan?

First question: How many in the US?

Source: International Nuclear Safety Center

The closest one to us (here in Southern California) is in San Onofre, California. And just in California alone there are 5 nuclear power plants!
(Clarification: 2 power plants are in operation in California) 

America in total = 104 nuclear power reactors.

And let's be clear here: It is not the earthquake that caused the explosions. It was the lack of power needed to keep the reactors from overheating. Water is constantly flowing over the fuel rods to keep them cool. So once that stops, the power plant will EXPLODE.  And Japan's power plants were initially built to withstand an earthquake just the way the ones in America CLAIM to have been built.

Sources: Huffington Post

So let's just be a little more aware of what a nuclear power plant really is. And now when money-hungry big-business goblins tell you that nuclear energy is the safest and cleanest way to go, you can just point them in the direction of Chernobyl and Japan and tell them you've been told otherwise.

So here you are, ladies and gentlemen!! Now you can't say you didn't know.

because.....

Now You know. Nuclear is Naughty.