Feature story - April 11, 2011
Last night Greenpeace activists and volunteers took part in a vigil in Soweto to mark a month since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters hit Japan, destroying lives and causing mass evacuations.
Supporter Vigil in Soweto
Greenpeace activists and volunteers today took part in a vigil in Soweto's Hector Peterson Museum to mark a month since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters hit Japan, destroying lives and causing mass evacuations. The vigil took place as the nuclear crisis continues with new findings of radiation contamination in Japanese milk and vegetables. © Shayne Robinson / Greenpeace
“The events which swiftly followed the massive earthquake and tsunami are a strong reminder that nuclear energy is never safe. The earthquake and tsunami were incredibly powerful natural disasters, but the on-going nuclear crisis is an entirely human-generated one — which need never have happened”, said Olivia Langhoff, Greenpeace Campaign Director.
The vigil took place as the nuclear crisis continues in Japan, with new findings of radiation contamination in Japanese milk and vegetables.
For South Africa particularly, the events in Japan are a reminder of the potential devastation should President Zuma’s government decide to go ahead and expand its nuclear plans, as outlined in the recently released energy map.
“Nuclear energy is an irresponsible risk in the quest to power Africa’s people. Clean, safe, affordable renewable energy is the only way to a prosperous and sustainable future,” Langhoff added.
Greenpeace is calling on Japanese authorities to re-evaluate the evacuation zone around the Fukushima nuclear plant. The organisation also remains committed to providing independent research, including the collection of radiation data outside the nuclear evacuation zone.
Greenpeace urges South Africa to learn from Japan’s deadly catastrophe and ensure that it has its citizens’ lives at heart as it rolls out its energy plans.
Nucear is Never Safe!
Greenpeace activists and volunteers today took part in a vigil in Soweto's Hector Peterson Museum to mark a month since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters hit Japan, destroying lives and causing mass evacuations. The vigils took place as the nuclear crisis continues with new findings of radiation contamination in Japanese milk and vegetables. © Shayne Robinson / Greenpeace