Officials are trying to cool down the nuclear plants to try to prevent a full meltdown. The plants are already leaking radiation, but the officials have to release radioactive steam to try to cool it down. They have to constantly flood the reactors with flood water. Normally, the plants would be fine, but the earthquake damaged the cooling system. The cooling system, which requires electricity, would have been fine if the earthquake didn't damage the power lines. Helecopters from the Pentagon were flying 60 miles away from Japan and they picked up small radiation. By now, it's probably gone farther. (www.nytimes.com)
In reactor no.3, there was an explosion that blew the roof and walls off of buildings. Recent news said that the problems at reactor no.2 are resolved and that the sea water was doing a good job of cooling it. However, in reactors no.1 and 3, the officials think there's a partial meltdown. They aren't sure because the reactors are too hot to go into. (www.cnn.com) (www.npr.com)
This is a really big issue that affects everyone. Our responsibility is to help out Japan, not only for our own good, but for theirs too. People should also imagine what it would be like if they were in a situation like that. First, there was a major earthquake, then major tsunamis and to top it off, radioactivety. We should try to imagine what it would be like if something like that happened to us. So we have to help out to the best of our ability.
The quote is true. People should try not to panic about this, but that doesn't mean you can totally ignore the problem. True, the nuclear plants are a problem, but if we all do our share and pitch in, the problems could be resolved. People aren't forced to help out, but it's in their best interest to, for their safety and others.
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