You may forward Planet Waves Monsanto Eco to your friends. They can sign up for this free environmental newsletter from Planet Waves. View this edition as a webpage. Dear Friend and Reader: Japan's nuclear catastrophe, a result of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the country's east coast, continues to threaten the safety of our global community. More than three years later, ongoing effort is still required to contain and repair the damage from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant's triple core meltdown.
While government and industry leaders insist that 'everything is under control', it is clear that the nuclear crisis has left an indelible mark on the people of Japan. National trust has been breached since the meltdown caused irreparable harm, and many people are skeptical about the safety of nuclear power. "Because of the accident, nuclear energy is an issue that should be discussed again in our country," Fukushima Daiichi's superintendent Akira Ono told Time. Navy Sailors Still Battling in Court Over 100 United States sailors and marines are awaiting a San Diego court's decision on whether to uphold their lawsuit against Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the utility company in charge of Fukushima, reported The Guardian Aug. 20. The crewmembers were onboard the USS Reagan during a humanitarian mission to Japan immediately after the earthquake and tsunami struck. The men and women involved in the lawsuit claim TEPCO knowingly withheld information about the increased level of radiation from the nuclear meltdown, ultimately exposing the U.S. Navy to a plume of radioactive fallout.
The sailors -- many suffering from thyroid problems, reproductive issues, and cancer -- must prove that radiation exposure was a factor in their illnesses in order to proceed with the lawsuit. A decision is expected this week. More Fukushima Residents Given Green Light Speaking of radiation levels, Japanese officials will allow more citizens to return to their evacuated homes near Fukushima, Asahi Shimbun recently reported. State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kazuyoshi Akaba forwarded two proposals for the removal of the evacuation advisory in the "less-polluted" portion of the area.
Despite opposition from concerned people who fear the radioactive contamination, Kawauchi mayor Yuko Endo will comply with the orders, saying, "Nevertheless, many residents also wish to go back home. We have no choice but to accept the decision to lift the evacuation order on Oct. 1." This is the second district within the exclusion zone to have the evacuation advisory lifted since the disaster in March 2011. As Planet Waves previously reported, residents have also returned to the Miyakoji district in the city of Tamura as of March 31 of this year. Utility Company Claims Progress in Decommissioning Japanese residents (along with the rest of the world) can take some comfort in knowing that the dangerous task of moving spent fuel assemblies is going according to plan. On Aug. 21 The Japan Times reported TEPCO may be ahead of schedule in the removal of fuel assemblies from the spent fuel pool in the damaged Unit 4 reactor building at Fukushima. Despite a suspension of the removal process due to a recent crane inspection, TEPCO President Naomi Hirose commented during a meeting with assembly members from Fukushima Prefecture last week that the company expects to complete the transfer of fuel by Nov. 2014 -- one month ahead of the initial schedule. The hazardous removal process began Nov. 2013. As of July, 1,188 out of 1,533 fuel assemblies have been successfully transferred to a common fuel pool. People Have the (Renewable) Power Naoto Kan, who served as prime minister of Japan during the 2011 nuclear disaster, is using his past experience to campaign for renewable energy, according to an ABC News report last week. He is currently in Australia promoting alternative sources of power.
Yes indeed, and Professor Hiroshi Segawa at University of Tokyo's Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology is developing a new solar cell that may be just the right alternative, reported AFP on Aug. 19. The dye-sensitized solar cell, named Annabelle after a type of white hydrangea, is made up of stained glass-like cells which resemble a flower. Segawa claims this "enjoyable energy" works even in weak indoor light -- a major bonus for Tokyo, where a lack of reliable sunlight is a factor. Best of all, Segawa points out, "(Annabelle) doesn't harm the environment." Now that's something all countries should be working toward. Until next week, Elizabeth Michaud & the ECO editorial team You may forward Planet Waves Monsanto Eco to your friends. They can sign up for this free environmental newsletter from Planet Waves. View this edition as a webpage. Planet Waves Monsanto Watch (ISSN 1933-9135) is published each Tuesday evening in Kingston, New York by Planet Waves, Inc. Editor and Publisher: Eric Francis Coppolino. Business Manager: Chelsea Bottinelli. Web Developer: Anatoly Ryzhenko. Research, Writing and Editing: Planet Waves Monsanto Watch is produced by a team consisting of Elizabeth Michaud, Amanda Moreno, Amanda Painter, Amy Elliott, Carol van Strum, Len Wallick and Chad Woodward. Good as Gold: The Planet Waves Midyear Reading Dear Friend and Reader: By now you've read about the Good as Gold midyear readings for all 12 signs and rising signs, created to help you ride the learning curve that connects self-esteem, creativity and money. You may now purchase individual sign readings for $14.95 each. The package rate of $79 for all 12 signs is still available too -- a great deal for those of you who want readings for your rising and Moon sign plus readings for colleagues and collaborators.
"Thank you once again. You are as 'good as gold' and totally brilliant. I have a profound sense of gratitude and wonder at the accuracy of how you describe the unfolding of my life this year." "I've listened to six Good As Gold readings so far. One of the first few things that came to mind upon hearing the Sagittarius reading was that I'm right on track." "Oh my goodness, I just listened to the Gemini Good as Gold. Right on! I was listening AS I was working on a painting! Creative ambition has certainly experienced a huge boost in recent weeks after months of not quite actually getting at the DOING of it except very sporadically." "Thanks for the great insights. I don't measure success with money, though I always seem to have just enough to get by. I got a lot of affirmation from this reading. Can't wait for the breakthrough. As always, the very best astrology." These are unusual astrology readings, wading into some of the most challenging territory that we face in ordinary life: giving ourselves permission to do what we were told could not, or should not, be done. Connecting one's true individuality with one's work is a special achievement, and these readings provide many ideas designed to help you get there. Your readings include ideas, strategies, and motivational tools Eric has learned in therapy to get the blocks out of the way, access your courage, and invoke your vision for yourself. He brings into these readings his many years of consulting experience with artists, healers and professionals striking off on their own. The backbone of these readings is Jupiter in Leo. Sometimes Jupiter grants gifts, and sometimes it points to where we can reach for more. In Leo it will be doing a little of both. The live community conference call for Good as Gold purchasers is tomorrow, Aug. 27 at 7 pm EDT. This is your last chance to ask Eric questions directly about your midyear readings. If you have not already ordered Good as Gold, you're invited to order your sign reading now. If you've already started listening to your readings, please let us know what you think. And speaking of last chances, this is also your last chance to get involved in the Leo birthday reading conference call, scheduled for 7 pm EDT tonight. Don't miss out on the opportunity to ask Eric your questions about the upcoming astrology for you or your Leo friends! Yours,  Chelsea Bottinelli To unsubscribe, click here e Wiki | Friends | Editors | Contact Us Copyright © 2013 by Planet Waves, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other copyrights may apply. Some images used under Fair Use or Share Alike attribution. |
