A CALL TO ACTION: Nuclear disasters and lessons learned. Facts are facts. There have been at least three major nuclear power disasters to date: Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima Daiichi's unprecedented three nuclear meltdowns in 2011, the worst in history. There are also many smaller nuclear accidents and near misses every year. Do we wait for another life threatening catastrophic event, or do we act now? With many aging nuclear reactors approaching re-licensure and a shaky nuclear industry engaged in a self proclaimed "Nu Clear Renaissance" (regardless of the ongoing catastrophe at Fukushima) the time to act is indeed now or never. Ms. Roberson explains in "Silence Deafening" that it is easier than many people think to create positive change in these troubling times.The US government and media have remained mostly silent on Fukushima Daiichi's impact regardless of scientists and former nuclear industry executives who have believed for many years that there are no safe levels whatsoever of radioactivity from nuclear fallout. In the spring of 2011 hardly anyone in the mainstream media was talking about it and the silence was indeed overwhelming to those who understood the real dangers of Fukushima. "Silence Deafening..." is the personal account of an environmentalist who then became a nutritionist and mother later in life. Ms Roberson writes, "I always thought it was an unusual leap from radioactive waste campaigner to nutrition and motherhood, but on March 11, 2011 those three worlds merged suddenly in a shocking way. What those combined experiences bring became startling clear: radioactive fallout from nuclear power and food do not mix, and children are especially at risk." She also observes, "Nuclear fallout is a harmful and mysterious tragedy that we can't see, taste, hear, smell or feel. Rather than recoil in fear from Fukushima Daiichi, it really serves to empower further action."Ms. Roberson explains in lay terms how the nuclear industry was took form, and the urgent need to transition to safer, sustainable, renewable forms of energy before another nuclear disaster happens. It is an inspiring story of taking notice and taking action. She notes the writings of Sandra Steingraber and the late Rachel Carson, as well as experiences gleaned from environmentalists, humanitarians, and natural health practitioners she worked with before and as founder of the Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network. The Executive Director of Food and Water Watch (the food safety watchdog which grew from Ralph Nader's Public Citizen) is one of many who have offered praises for "Silence Deafening..". "We all owe Kimberly Roberson a debt of gratitude for bringing to light the health and safety issues related to the dangerous radiation releases from Fukushima. She underscored the need for food monitoring of radiation and transparency of findings in the U.S. food supply, even if U.S. elected officials and the media choose to ignore the ongoing problem. This is a 'must read' for anyone concerned about...future generations."A younger generation of parents, caregivers and educators can learn from their experiences and then realize their own immense power in the age of the Internet. The ultimate message of "Silence Deafening..." is one of responsibility, empowerment, and the urgent need to collectively reduce consumption while we transition en masse to a safe energy future for this and future generations.
