Editorials
Editorials are opinion-based pieces that thoughtfully discuss or narrate a story about significant events that have occurred in the news. They often reflect the writer's perspective and offer insights into current issues, enabling readers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of our ever-changing world. Through these pieces, editorial writers aim to engage the audience and stimulate thoughtful discussion on various topics that matter to society.
Disclaimer
Some poetry may contain some controversial topics and or political biases; these political biases do not represent The Varsity
The Love Canal Disaster
Herbert Bowden
The Love Canal is in Niagara Falls. It has been voted the most appalling environmental tragedy in American history. The Love Canal was supposed to be a dream community. However, it only brought nightmares. In 1910, the nightmares started. It was found that the canal was originally a chemical dump site. In 1953, the Hooker Chemical Company, then the owners and operators of the property, covered the canal with dirt and sold the land for a dollar.
In the late '50s, about 100 homes and a school were built at the site. Due to the chemicals festering underground for years, in 1978, the Love Canal exploded. A record amount of rainfall triggered the explosion. Shortly thereafter, the leaching began. The waste-disposal drums could be seen breaking up through the grounds of backyards. Trees and gardens were turning black and dying. Puddles of noxious substances were pointed out by the residents. Some of these puddles were in their yards, some were in their basements, and others were on the school grounds. Everywhere, the air had a faint, choking smell.
Children returned from play with burns on their hands and faces. Then there were the birth defects. The New York State Health Department is continuing an investigation into a disturbingly high rate of miscarriages, along with five birth defect cases detected thus far in the area. On August 7, New York Governor Hugh Carey announced to the residents of the Canal that the State Government would purchase the homes affected by chemicals. That same day, President Carter approved emergency financial aid for the Love Canal area (the first emergency funds ever approved for something other than a "natural" disaster). The U.S. Senate approved a "sense of Congress" amendment saying that Federal aid should be forthcoming to relieve the serious environmental disaster that had occurred. By the month's end, 98 families had already been evacuated. Another 46 had found temporary housing. Soon after, all families would be gone from the most contaminated areas, and 221 families had moved or agreed to be moved.
State figures show more than 200 home purchase offers have been made, totaling nearly $7 million.
Sources
· Alfred, Randy. “Nov. 21, 1968: Love Canal Calamity Surfaces.” WIRED, 21 Nov. 2008, www.wired.com/2008/11/nov-21-1968-love-canal-calamity-surfaces-2/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
· Beck, Eckardt C. “The Love Canal Tragedy.” Www.epa.gov, US Environmental Protection Agency, Jan. 1979, www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/love-canal-tragedy.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
· Wikipedia Contributors. “Love Canal.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
What is Atomic Power?
By Skyler Dunphy
Edited By Chat GPT
Atomic power, or nuclear power, is generated by splitting uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. This reaction releases substantial heat, which produces steam that drives turbines, generating electricity. However, this process produces nuclear waste. The World Nuclear Association notes that while the radioactivity of high-level waste (HLW) decreases over time, reaching levels similar to the originally mined ore within 1,000 to 10,000 years, some industrial wastes, such as heavy metals like cadmium and mercury, remain hazardous indefinitely. This long-term hazard of nuclear waste necessitates careful management and storage solutions.
Another concern is the potential for nuclear meltdowns. Such events can release harmful radiation into the environment, affecting both wildlife and human populations over extensive areas. Historically, there have been three major nuclear meltdowns: Chernobyl in Ukraine, Fukushima Daiichi in Japan, and Three Mile Island in the United States. Despite these risks, nuclear power remains a significant energy source globally. As of 2023, approximately 440 commercial nuclear reactors are operating in about 30 countries, contributing roughly 9% of the world’s electricity. Notably, France generates about 65% of its electricity from nuclear energy, while the United States produces nearly 20% of its electricity from nuclear sources.
The future of nuclear power varies by region. Some countries continue to invest in nuclear technology, viewing it as a low-carbon energy source essential for meeting climate goals. Conversely, others are reducing their reliance on nuclear energy, focusing instead on renewable resources due to concerns about safety, waste management, and economic factors.
Sources:
Martucci, Brian. “Nuclear Sector’s Views on Second Trump Administration Mixed as Rogan Interview Raises Questions.” Utility Dive, 8 Nov. 2024, www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear-energy-sector-mixed-views-second-trump-administration-joe-rogan/732407/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Nuclear Energy Institute. “Top 15 Nuclear Generating Countries.” Nuclear Energy Institute, June 2021, www.nei.org/resources/statistics/top-15-nuclear-generating-countries. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
“Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts.” Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts, 31 May 2019, www.fairewinds.org/what-is-a-meltdown. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Office of Nuclear Energy. “NUCLEAR 101: How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?” Energy.gov, Office of Nuclear Energy, 2 Aug. 2023, www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-101-how-does-nuclear-reactor-work. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
PowerfulJRE. “Joe Rogan Experience #2219 - Donald Trump.” YouTube, 25 Oct. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMoPUAeLnY. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
World Nuclear Association. “Radioactive Waste – Myths and Realities - World Nuclear Association.” World-Nuclear.org, 12 Aug. 2024, world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-waste/radioactive-wastes-myths-and-realities. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
“Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors.” World-Nuclear.org, 2 Mar. 2022, world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/safety-of-nuclear-power-reactors. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.