SPECIAL REPORT
Naaalarma ang environmental group na Greenpeace Japan at Philippine chapters hinggil sa pagpapakawala ng nuclear water waste mula sa Fukushima Daiichi powerplant sa Karagatang Pasipiko dahil sa posibleng pangmatagalang epekto nito sa kalikasan at maging sa mga tao.
“We are deeply disappointed and outraged by the Japanese Government’s announcement to release water containing radioactive substances into the ocean. Despite concerns raised by fishermen, citizens, Fukushima residents, and the international community, especially in the Pacific region and neighboring countries, this decision has been made,” sabi ni Hisayo Takada, project manager ng Greenpeace Japan.
Bahagi ang pagpapakawala ng nuclear waste water ng Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), ang nagpapatakbo ng Fukushima Nuclear Powerplant na suportado ng gobyerno ng Japan ng decommissioning ng operasyon ng nabanggit na pasilidad na naging mapanganib na matapos maapektuhan ng malakas na lindol noong 2011.
Pagbalewala sa karapatang pantao, kaligtasan ng mundo
Anang Greenpeace Japan, binalewala ng desisyon ang siyentipikong ebidensiya kaugnay ng dulot na panganib ng pagpapakawala ng kontaminadong tubig.
Nilabag din, anila, nito ang karapatang pantao ng mamamayan ng Japan at maging nasa rehiyong Pasipiko at maging ang international maritime law.
Nauna nang nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya ang ilang independent human rights expert na itinalaga ng United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) noong 2021, hinggil sa naturang desisyon para sa decommissioning ng kontrobersiyal na planta.
“The release of one million tonnes of contaminated water into the marine environment imposes considerable risks to the full enjoyment of human rights of concerned populations in and beyond the borders of Japan,” anang mga eksperto na kinonsulta ng UNHRC.
Ang UNHRC ay binubuo nina Marcos A. Orellana, Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on Right to Food, at David Boyd, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment.
“The Government’s decision is very concerning given the warnings about the effect of such a discharge on so many people’s lives and the environment at large. It comes after years of discussion and concerns raised by local communities — particularly the fishing community who was already severely hit by the 2011 disaster — environmental NGOs, neighbouring countries and civil society. The decision is particularly disappointing as experts believe alternative solutions to the problem are available,” dagdag nila.
Batay sa pagsusuri, bagaman sinasabi ng Fukushima na kaya ng Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) na linisin ang tubig, sinasabing hindi 100 porsiyentong nalilinis nito ang radioactive contaminants gaya ng tritium o carbon-14, na may masamang epekto sa kalusugan at sa kalikasan.
“Japan has noted that the levels of tritium are very low and do not pose a threat to human health. However, scientists warn that the tritium in the water organically binds to other molecules, moving up the food chain affecting plants and fish and humans. They say the radioactive hazards of tritium have been underestimated and could pose risks to humans and the environment for over 100 years,” ayon pa rin sa independent experts na itinalaga ng UNHRC.
Ayon naman sa isang eksperto mula sa University of the Philippines – Marine Science Institute, maaaring makarating din sa Pilipinas ang mapanganib na radioactive na water waste mula sa Fukushima.
“Yung tubig kasi sa Pacific Ocean umiikot ito…” ani chemical oceanography Professor Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone, sa isang panayam ng 24-Oras ng GMA-7.
“‘Yung tubig na dumadaan sa Japan, aakyat muna ‘yun sa north, pataas, and then babalik ‘yun sa kabilang side ng Pacific, sa eastern side of the Pacific, tapos dadalhin ng North Equatorial Current, dadaan ng Pilipinas…so ‘yung north, directly na mare-release hindi ‘yun mararamdaman ng Pilipinas until bumalik ‘yun, umikot yung tubig pabalik sa atin,” ani San Diego-McGlone.
Nuclear energy, ‘di sagot sa krisis sa enerhiya, klima
Ayon naman kay Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Khevin Yu, ang napipintong “radioactive crisis” na idudulot ng Fukushima water release ay pangmatagalang problemang aabot sa kung ilang henerasyon. Aniya, nakikita lamang ng situwasyong ito kung gaano kapanganib ang nuclear energy.
“Nuclear Energy is the most complicated source of energy generation with impacts beyond its boundaries. The Philippine government should take this as a warning of what lies ahead should it continue chasing its nuclear dream: a nightmare that will haunt us for centuries. Instead, they over complicate our energy system and should refocus their vision on renewable energy; a much cleaner, more cost-efficient, and safer way for us to meet our energy demand,” ayon kay Yu, lalo na’t isa sa mga tinitingnan ng gobyernong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay ang paggamit ng enerhiyang nukleyar bilang pagkukunan ng kuryente sa bansa.