The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan raised new concerns about the risk of another nuclear reactor disaster. The explosion of the FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT gives our citizens cause to re-examine the risk assumed by the public. At this writing, the full extent of the damage to the plant, the community, and the environment is unknown - it will take years.
At the same time concerns over the high risks associated with extracting natural gas and as noted in a Financial Times article is "energy that comes from the same place as our drinking water. Extracting it had better be safe. The political fault lines over hydraulic fracturing (hence the term fracking) have been easy to predict for anyone paying attention to the controversies over climate change and genetically modified organisms. France’s national assembly voted to ban fracking while in the US its been full steam ahead in 32 states. These are high risk alternative energy sources.

Curated by mokiethecat
A look at what crosses the Steel Bridge (built in 1910) here in Portland, Oregon a few miles from |
This video observes traffic on Portland, Oregon's Steel Bridge, raising questions about crude oil transport in urban areas. It urges citizens to challenge leaders on the risks of such movements. Produced by Ruth Ann Barrett for her PDXDowntowner YouTube Channel, published April 2, 2015. For additional context, The New York Times documentary, 'A Danger on the Rails,' addresses similar issues in Albany, New York. This piece is part of the EarthSayers.tv 'High Risk Energy Alternatives' collection, available here. Published April 22, 2015. EarthSayer Ruth Ann Barrett |