Environmental activists Greenpeace, take a calm walk down nuclear responsibility.
Nukes are not clean
By Annette Gomes
 Unclear about nuclear: What's the alternative to a power hungry nation? 12 April 2011, 6:00 p.m.: While the most citizens in Cricket-loving Kolkata (Calcutta) were glued to their TVs or at the Eden watching the IPL (Indian Premier League, Cricket), a few hundred young people; and some not so young, congregated at the Camac Street/Park Street intersection to begin a short, silent walk down the pavement up to The Park hotel, then back again to the spot where they started out – beneath the statue of the Saint of the Poor, Mother Teresa.
On this little group Mother’s stone replica looked down with folded hands, and seemed approving of their action. Organised by Greenpeace this march and remembrance procession/vigil was replicated in other parts of the country, too. Lighted candles in hand and with placards bearing slogans like, “Say no to nukes”; “Nuclear is dirty and dangerous”; “We don’t want a Fukushima in India”, the procession kept to the pavement, and swept up many of the other pedestrians with it – giving them a chance to ask – and get an answer as to Why, and then participate till they went their way. This confluence saw numbers rise, especially on the way up to Chowringhee (with quite a few actual participants swept past the procession along with the flow of pedestrians!)  © 2011 EarthSmiles.net . All rights reserved. Made from 100% recycled pixels.     As to the Why, Greenpeace volunteers said the event was to express solidarity with the victims of earthquake, tsunami and the horrifying nuclear disaster at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant that occurred in Japan. Hence, also the candles and the silence. A mark of respect to the departed souls of Fukushima, and an awareness that it could be us – if nuclear power plants were allowed to proliferate, at the pace expected.
“The rally was about the disaster caused by the nuclear plant in Japan, we all saw what had happened. Thus this rally was to spread awareness amongst the people, to have safety measures when dealing with such kinds of reactor, and we would not like to see it happening again. We do not want such kinds of disaster happening in India as well,” says Utsarjana Mutsuddi, a young Greenpeace volunteer.
While it was wonderful to see a mixed age group that participated, a better publicity campaign would see the impact of such events and more awareness among the common man. They should also have a goal beyond the hour, else they risk becoming meaningless exercises, with little value other than self fulfillment. Greenpeace functionaries could (did?) not provide a follow-up map to the event – a concrete step towards change- such as a resolution or an action plan. The younger Greenpeace members also felt nuclear plants should be completely banned, but weren’t very sure of the alternatives of nuclear power – though they were sure it was “obvious” that there was.
Oblivious alternatives, however, were not available to Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, R. Chidambaram, who says that the per capita electricity consumption was an important parameter of Human Development Index and for India to become a developed country, per capita electricity consumption has to increase six to eight times (reported by PTI.) The country's electricity needs, (therefore,) cannot be fulfilled without nuclear reactors, he said. So, supposing India did shelf plans for Civilian (read Power plants) nuclear, what are the alternatives to feed growing modernisation and powerhungry, nation-building industry? The country’s solar plans, though very ambitious, will not suffice for even rudimentary demands. And there are ecological dangers to even Wind generation (more on this in EarthSmiles.net, later. – Ed) of which there is limited scope.
Following the success of nuclear deal with the USA, it will be difficult to convince the Government to shelf what is now seen as a major political victory, as well as a major step forward in Indo-US amity. This will need real and serious power alternatives, alternatives which cannot be ignored. Or stringent safeguards which activists and the common man will have to help formulate and see implemented.
Alan M. Edison remarks, “Modern technology owes ecology an apology.” Greenpeace’s Candlight march should be seen as the realisation of that. We should hope the apology will come soon – before we’re sorry. Left: The lone Japanese tourist in the March.
Right: Candles lit in vigil Most young people felt strongly about nuclear power plants Seniors for nuclear safety, too! |
