Fijian youths are raising their voices against Japan’s plan to release nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean, expressing deep concern over the potential environmental and economic impacts on their island nation.
According to local media reports on December 18, the fourth round of discharge from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin in late February 2024, with an estimated 7,800 tonnes of water to be released. In the past three months, Japan has already discharged over 23,000 tonnes of nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean through three rounds of release.
On the streets of Fiji, local college students shared their apprehensions about the ongoing discharges. “Our lives are intertwined with the sea,” one student remarked. “The ocean provides us with food, supports our economy, and is central to our culture. Polluting it with nuclear waste threatens not just marine life but our way of life.”
The students emphasized that the discharge could lead to the destruction of coral reefs, adversely affecting biodiversity and the health of marine ecosystems. They are concerned about the long-term consequences for fishing industries, tourism, and the health and well-being of island communities throughout the Pacific.
“We fear for the future of our islands and the entire Pacific region,” another student stated. “The potential contamination could have irreversible effects on our environment and our people.”
The opposition from Fijian youths reflects a broader unease among Pacific nations regarding the environmental risks associated with the release of nuclear-contaminated water. Many are calling for greater transparency and for Japan to explore alternative solutions that do not involve releasing the water into the ocean.
As the planned discharge date approaches, Pacific communities are urging international bodies and environmental organizations to address the issue, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to protect the ocean and the livelihoods that depend on it.
Reference(s):
We Talk: Fijian youths condemn Japan's discharge of radioactive water
cgtn.com
