Fukushima update: Some people have tested positive for radiation

50k number of people who officials evacuated to prevent further radiation exposure
90 residents near the Fukushima reactor site tested randomly for radiation exposure
three of those people tested positive for very high levels – this could be bad, guys source

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The big story: Fukushima’s current (very scary) nuclear drama One of the most dramatic images from the entire crisis is this video. The crisis isn’t as bad as Three Mile Island, and likely won’t create major health issues, but still. It’s freaking some green-minded people out.
The very-early, quickly rising death toll* in Japan While we wouldn’t put much weight in numbers right now, early estimates suggest that hundreds have died and thousands are missing.
The craziest images we’ve seen from the current crisis Children getting checked for radiation; large crowds trying to use a payphone. Swaying skyscrapers. Split roads. Immense destruction.
Use your head when thinking about donations Fellow Tumblr inothernews made a really good point about this, which has proven correct again and again. Stick with the basics – and use your own money.
Social media’s bad habits: Rumors, ADD, bad taste Focusing too much on Godzilla, making terrible jokes and spreading false rumors about people dying?Twitter should be ashamed of itself.
Our favorite point made about the crisis: Japan was fairly well-prepared This piece from FrumForum emphasizes how Japan has been ready for a crisis like this for years – and how the U.S. may cut similar efforts. None of this means you shouldn’t help, though.

» Don’t forget the other news: Big stories are still breaking in Wisconsin, Libya and elsewhere, and in the case of LIbya, might even be more necessary than usual.

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We’ve decided to fill the reactor container with sea water. Trade minister Kaieda has instructed us to do so. By doing this, we will use boric acid to prevent criticality.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano • Explaining what will happen next in the wake of the Fukushima blast in Japan. For what its worth, Edano says that, although there was an explosion, it didn’t affect the core reactor. “The nuclear reactor is surrounded by a steel reactor container, which is then surrounded by a concrete building,” he said. “The concrete building collapsed. We found out that the reactor container inside didn’t explode.” Sea water, eh? Interesting coolant choice. source

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then After a period where nuclear power gained popularity, Three Mile Island, green groups and the movie “The China Syndrome” helped hurt the reputation of the power source.
now With a higher focus on safety, the risk of danger is much lower and growth has returned – but trouble in Japan could once again turn popular favor against it. source

» Two sides, two arguments: Green groups AND nuclear advocates have their talking points here – groups in favor of nuclear energy say the precaution prevented a much worse situation with the Fukushima reactors. Green groups say any leak of radioactive gas proves the dangers are too high. Of course, if this happens, it kinda throws everything out the window.

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12 Mar 2011 15:22