An Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe View of the Nuclear Industry Contrary to what the television commercials and the nuclear industry would like us to believe the nuclear fuel cycle is far from safe and green. The process of mining, milling, and building nuclear power plants requires huge amounts of energy obtained from fossil fuels. Thus, this process alone produces carbon dioxide emissions and is not green. The nuclear fuel cycle is harmful in other ways. Nuclear energy depends upon elemental uranium 235, which is naturally radioactive and undergoes decay, meaning it spontaneously radiates or ejects radioactive energy. Once uranium 235 is removed from the earth and extracted from the ore that once cradled it, much soil and dirt is left behind. These tailings are loaded with other radioactive elements such as radon 222 and radium 226, which contaminate the air, land, and water tables in the surrounding areas for many years. People need to know that there are three forms of radiation that consists of both particles and waves: 1. Alpha particles 2. Beta particles 3. Gamma photons Radiation is undetectable through the human senses and this works against us in our learning and knowing process. Radiation harms us through ionizing the atoms and molecules that comprise our body cells, hence the term “ionizing radiation.” There are three ways that radiation harms us: 1. Radiation is carcinogenic, meaning it causes cancer. It only takes one radioactive particle, for example, to damage a human cell. Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are “containers” of much cellular growth. 2. Radiation is mutagenic, meaning it mutates our egg and sperm cells and causes birth abnormalities. 3. Radiation is teratogenic, meaning it has the ability to infiltrate the mother-child placenta barrier. Unborn babies are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are “containers” of much cellular growth. Uranium 235 is a gamma ray emitter, is carcinogenic, and causes bone cancer. Radon 222 is an alpha emitter, is carcinogenic, and causes lung cancer. Radium 226 is both an alpha and gamma ray emitter, is also carcinogenic, and causes bone cancer. These are the radioactive elements we are exposed to simply through the act of mining uranium. In addition to these radioactive elements, creating nuclear energy through uranium fission produces additional radioactive elements such as strontium 90, iodine 131, cesium 137, and plutonium 239. Strontium 90 is both a beta and gamma ray emitter and causes bone cancer and leukemia. Iodine 131 is both a beta and gamma ray emitter and causes thyroid cancer. Cesium 137 is also both a beta and gamma ray emitter and causes muscle and brain cancer. Plutonium 239 is an alpha emitter that is both mutagenic and teratogenic and causes genetic mutations and gross deformities in our newborns. Disturbingly, through the process of “venting,” nuclear reactors routinely release these radioactive by-products into the atmosphere. In this way too our air, land, and water becomes contaminated for many years. In summary, uranium mining and processing produces carbon dioxide. While this in itself means that it is not a green process, uranium mining also contaminates the air, land, and water with radon, radium and other radioactive elements. Furthermore, through the process of generating energy through uranium fission, additional radioactive elements are created. We simply cannot afford to limit discussions about safe and green energy to carbon dioxide emissions. We must also consider radioactive emissions.
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1/3/2012 5 Comments Black Face BloggingMshkoziwin and MkadengweIn the Anishinaabe tradition a speaker’s face is an important element of learning the intended knowledge. When someone tells a story the process of listening involves watching the facial expressions of the speaker as they convey if the speaker is happy or sad or in a state of wonder. If the speaker is sad the listener not only hears it in the stated words but also reads it on the speaker’s face. The same goes for joy and wonder. Through watching the emotions on the speaker’s face listeners feel what the speaker feels through a process of physiological synchronization. It is because of this process that it is stressed that listening in the Anishinaabe sense involves good eyes and a good heart rather than merely good ears. Many people skilled at the oral tradition rely on facial expressions when conveying knowledge. Further, in the Anishinaabe tradition there is a teaching that encourages people to show the good side of their face. Mshkoziwin is an Anishinaabemowin concept that references “the Art of Being Brave” and the process of finding one’s true face, or alternatively the need to get to know our core selves. It is often said that at times our greatest enemy is our self. To help remedy this there is the need to get to know our core being. Anishinaabe wisdom informs us that our essence is made up of two parts. While one part is positive, the second part is negative. Given this, there is the need for individuals to travel deep within themselves and get to know both their positive and negative sides. This requires bravery as the negative side is indeed difficult to befriend. Regardless, if we fail to befriend our negative side it could very well take over who we are. Alternatively, although our true face is the positive side of who we are, we must befriend our negative side and manage it in a way that allows our true face to manifest in the way we walk through the world. In the Anishinaabe tradition people also expressed times of bereavement through the practice of Mkadengwe which translates to Black Face. This tradition involved painting one’s face with black ash or paint to signify one’s state of being. In reading the person’s face members of the community were better able to affirm the mourner’s feelings and accommodate their needs when required. In following this later tradition of Mkadengwe over the next few months I will offer Black Face blogging as my way of expressing matters that I feel require thought. |
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