Nuclear Power Issues/Possibilities; Using Japan as an Example

If the class decides to write about a "world" issue rather than one that simply affects USFSP, it should focus on the crisis in Japan involving nuclear power safety. Nuclear power plants are understandably dangerous, and although many intense safety precautions were put into place, none of them were up to the caliber they needed to be to stand up against two natural disasters.

An article by the Washington Post points out that the Japanese government in 2008 had debated over what would pose the most threat to the plant: a tsunami or an earthquake. Officials had initially decided to prepare for a tsunami, but were then swayed to believe that an earthquake would be of much higher possibility since the country had a history of strong earthquakes. The plant was adjusted and regulated according to data from past earthquakes in the event that one should occur. The article states that "Experts now say that Daiichi, as designed, withstood the quake. It was the ensuing tsunami, with waves more than 20 feet high, that knocked out the facility’s critical backup power supply, causing a meltdown which in turn caused the plant to leak radiation."

Although the country was prepared for one disaster, the chance of a tidal wave aftershock was overlooked. I would argue that the nuclear disaster was simply a miscalculation and not an inevitable fate caused by stupid planning.

A YouTube video by user Hank Green of the "vlogbrothers" explaining the science behind nuclear reactions as well as the checks and balances that run in a nuclear power plant applied to Japan's disaster can be found here. As Hank says at the end of the video, "Most of the ways that we generate our power now are dangerous and bad, but [...] we need electricity for our society to function...." He goes on to say that the issue is a complicated one, and many people have taken sides on the situation based on opinions more so than facts.

For our class project, we could convince our readers to either be more open-minded about nuclear power or convince them of the dangers that are associated with it. Obviously our class as a whole would have to take a side, thus forming an opinion that can very well be (and should be) combated. I believe the issue offers an interesting discussion as well as many examples throughout history to support our side.

As for the Middle East, I feel the area is too wide to accurately say whether or not a class project could be based on convincing people about it. I know that the protests in Libya are related to some of the unrest along with a rise in oil prices, but not far enough to be able to convince anyone of anything. I feel that there was not a definite issue addressed in class about the Middle East that would be worthy of convincing.

Campus-related problems are always interesting, but a presentation on food services may lack substance. There are not enough concrete facts; interviews and personal opinion would run the show.