On 11 March 2011, Japan experienced one of the worst earthquakes in the world’s history. This earthquake was accompanied by a tsunami, causing the worst disaster in Japan's history. This disaster caused the death of about 10,000 people. To worsen the problem, the earthquake and tsunami damaged two nuclear reactors in the coastal area in Fukushima. The consequence is the release of radioactive isotopes from the crippled Nuclear Power Plant.
Radioactive material has been released from the Fukushima containment vessels as the result of deliberate venting to reduce gaseous pressure, deliberate discharge of coolant water into the sea, and accidental or uncontrolled events. Concerns about the possibility of a large scale radiation leak resulted in 20 km exclusion zone being set up around the power plant and people within the 20–30 km zone being advised to stay indoors.
From my point of view, I feel that we cannot take technology for granted. In this case, the Nuclear Plant is supposed to ease the citizens’ lives but yet, it is now endangering the citizens’ lives. Not only that, coolant water from the nuclear plant is discharged into the sea. This will definitely endanger and harm the marine life.
In my opinion, I feel that the Japan government should really weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a nuclear plant before they even start embarking on building the nuclear plant. I guess almost everyone knows that building a nuclear plant has many risks. When a nuclear plant is damaged, radiation will be discharged into the air. Radiation exposure may manifest with low blood cell counts and neurological problems. Radiation exposure can also increase the probability of developing some other diseases, mainly different types of cancers.
I feel strongly that although nuclear energy creates little pollution and is reliable as it does not use fuel, it have many risks such as a possible meltdown which will result in radiation being released. Thus, I feel that Japan government should consider its citizens’ safety first. The safety of the citizens is definitely the priority and comes before the pros of the nuclear plant. Japan is a country which has one of the most earthquakes a year compared to other countries. This further proves why it is important to consider the citizens’ safety first.
In conclusion, we should not take technology for granted. In Japan’s nuclear disaster’s case, although it may be true that a nuclear plant has its advantages, it has many disadvantages and will put the citizens’ lives at risk too.
__________________________________________________________________________
My reflection of the blood transfusion incident in Hong Kong
1.3 Million Tons – That’s how many marine fish are discarded and dumped overboard (dead most often than not) by EU fishermen every year.
The amount of waste is difficult to fathom, and even more so at a time when we are fighting so hard to end overfishing and push for sustainable fisheries.
My reflection of the blood transfusion incident in Hong Kong
Just recently, I read an article on how a blood transfusion went wrong in Hong Kong. A 64-year old patient had intracerebral haemorrhage after receiving a wrong blood transfusion in August. The incident was related to incorrect blood typing procedures which led to a mix up of two patients' test results.
After reading this article, I feel that the nurses and doctors who caused this whole incident to take place are really irresponsible. Now that the patient has received the blood, she is infected with yet another disease thanks to the doctor's and his nurses' carelessness. From my point of view, I feel that a doctor must be responsible for his actions. Patients really depend on the doctors; they put all their trust and hope on the doctors, hoping that their illness or disease can be cured. But in this incident, the doctor has simply let the patient down. I know that the doctor and nurses do not want this to happen but due to their carelessness, they have put yet another burden on the patient's life. Thus, I hope that all doctors and nurses will be careful in future.
Also, I feel that technology cannot be relied on entirely. In this incident, incorrect blood typing procedures caused the whole problem to take place. Typing procedure can be quite complicated in a machine and procedures may get wrong at times. Thus, it is the best to check again to make sure everything is recorded properly.
In conclusion, I hope that in future, all doctors can be more careful and hopefully, there will be no such incident in future.
_________________________________________________________________________1.3 Million tons of wasted fish a year: What's being done about it (My reflection)
1.3 Million Tons – That’s how many marine fish are discarded and dumped overboard (dead most often than not) by EU fishermen every year.
The amount of waste is difficult to fathom, and even more so at a time when we are fighting so hard to end overfishing and push for sustainable fisheries.
The discard issue has rightfully been all over the news in the past few weeks – from Hugh’s fish fight to concerns over how a ban on discards would affect the industry.
info taken from: http://eu.oceana.org/en/eu/blog/2011/03/13-million-tons-of-wasted-fish-a-year-what-s-being-done-about-it
Below is a youtube video I found that shows the seriousness of this problem.
Below is a youtube video I found that shows the seriousness of this problem.
After watching the video and reading the article, I feel strongly that it is such a waste that fishermen are unnecessarily throwing back around 30% of their catch. It is ironic that we are fighting so hard to end overfishing and yet policies implemented by EU insists that fishermen have to discard fish for reasons of quota and minimum sizes. The quota system is intended to protect fish stocks by setting limits on how many fish of a certain species should be caught. I feel that it is indeed true that we have to control the number of fish caught but it will be more of a waste if we are to dispose them back into the sea, dead. The minimum size for catch also led fishermen to dump fishes that are too small to land. After doing some research, I realise that these small fishes can actually be eaten too. There are millions of people out there in the world who are in hunger everyday and yet 1.3 million tons of fish which majority can eaten are being thrown back into the sea every year. It is more of a pity that most of these fishes are already dead. Thus, I hope that something can be done about this. I have been following this website on the Fish Fight Campaign by Hugh for the past few days. I am really glad that at least someone is taking the initiative to try to put a stop to this problem. The website is http://www.fishfight.net/.
_________________________________________________________________________
My reflection on the polar attack in Russia
Recently, an attack by a polar bear was filmed on a phone camera. (video above) In this video, it shows a woman cowering behind a low wall as the animal emerged from behind a building and lunged at her. People watching the savaging screamed as it clawed and bit its victim. In a move that may have saved her life, one witness threw a projectile at the animal, which retreated. With her clothes in tatters, the woman stumbled to her feet and was surprisingly able to walk away from the attack.
After watching this video, I feel that although many people may see polar bears, especially the cubs, as cute and adorable animals, polar bears are still aggressive in nature as after all, a leopard doesn't change his spots. Polar bears have hunting instinct; polar bears in the wild hunt for food everyday. This hunting instinct is something that they cannot get rid off and it is with them forever. In the recent years, there have been many cases of polar bears attacking humans, including the one showed in the video above. The woman in the video was lucky to be able to escape without any serious injuries. However, just last month in August, an Arctic Expenditure apparently went wrong when a polar bear came into the tent area and attacked the campers. A British teenager was mauled and 4 people were seriously injured. Also, in 2008 and 2009, there were 2 cases of polar bears attacking people. One happened in an Alaska Zoo. Apparently, a tourist ventured too closely to a polar bear cage at the zoo in Anchorage, Alaska and disaster followed as the bear plunges his canines directly deep into her leg. This woman managed to survive this ordeal but suffered serious injuries. In 2009, an ignorant woman jumped into a polar bear enclosure in Berlin Zoo, hoping to have a better view at the polar bears, but she was attacked instead. She was lucky that she escaped without serious injuries. These few incidents show that polar bears are aggressive in nature. Polar bears kept in captive are as dangerous and aggressive as polar bears from the wild. Thus, I hope that everyone do not assume that polar bears are adorable animals, they are dangerous just like any wild animals like the tigers.
_________________________________________________________________________
Interesting video I found in the internet
Walking on water, that is what everyone has wished for the past few centuries. This video was posted 1 year ago in youtube and it shows a group of Portuguese attempting to achieve what man has tried for centuries. Apparently, they are successful and one of them was able to run 12 steps before falling into the water.
