Regional environmental and climate non-governmental organizations, including the Youth 4 Climate Action Project aka OACRI and Youngsolwara, have voiced serious concerns regarding Japan's decision to discharge 1 million tonnes of water contaminated from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Jennifer Coffin, the Country Coordinator for the Youth 4 Climate Action Project in Samoa, expressed her views in an interview with the Samoa Observer, emphasizing the profound connection between Pacific Islanders and the ocean.
"The ocean has always been an integral part of our identity," Coffin stated. "As Pacific Islanders, the ocean unites and divides us; it connects and separates us. It sustains us and poses threats to our very survival. Its influence permeates every aspect of our lives."
Coffin highlighted the potential long-term effects of releasing contaminated water into the ocean, noting that the extent of these impacts is currently unknown. She pointed out that the health of marine ecosystems could be severely compromised, leading to significant economic, social, and environmental repercussions.
"The livelihoods of many islanders depend on the ocean for sustenance and income," she explained. "The environmental impact is particularly concerning, as we cannot predict how quickly these ecosystems might recover from the effects of the contaminated water."
Coffin suggested that Japan, with its technological capabilities, could explore alternative solutions to manage the contaminated water. She believes that constructing a new storage facility elsewhere in the country would be a more responsible approach than discharging it into the ocean.
"There are various options available," she said. "For example, Japan could build a storage facility to hold the contaminated water and gradually release small amounts into the ocean over time, rather than disposing of it all at once."
Additionally, Coffin encouraged the Japanese government to leverage its technology and innovative research to find safer disposal methods that prioritize the well-being of the planet and its people over profit.
"Planet and people should take precedence over profit," she concluded, urging for more thoughtful and sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.