Appeal to stop release of nuclear waste water

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

I attended the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing some years ago where we talked about the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons. I am much older now, in my mid-80s, and have some deep concerns about Japan releasing treated radioactive waters into the Pacific Ocean.

This water has been used to cool the Fukushima nuclear plant after it was damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Since then it has been stored in tanks as it is poisoned.

It has come to my attention that this release may start happening as early as next week.

In the 1980s, our government signed up with the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific group and it has been ratified. Though the above is not covered in this, it is arrogant of Japan to release these waters.

At this time our Government is keeping very quiet. We need to stand with the Pacific Islands Forum and stop the release of these nuclear waters into our Pacific.

The Pacific Ocean is a food basket for the world and one cannot guarantee that this radioactive water is safe, even if they say it has been treated.

Having spent over 30 years demonstrating against France’s nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll to have that stopped, it seems we are having this happen again.

Japan has to have a good look at the potential dangers. They are no strangers to nuclear fallout.

Therefore, I am appealing to the ICJ on behalf of the next generations to come to help us and many others who don’t know where to go to stop this nuclear water release.

When will we learn not to create such dangers for humanity?

Experts are divided on the risk this poses, and scientists are not the be-all and end-all of what is safe anyway.

We, the indigenous peoples, have seen such great destruction over the years. I appeal on behalf of myself and hundreds of others for authorities to take a stand against this immediately. The long-term effects could be catastrophic.

In peace,

Pauline E. Tangiora

JP, QSO, QSM

Vice President for Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Aotearoa; Patron, Peace Foundation Aotearoa