Greenpeace on Monday launched week-long global series of activities across Southeast Asia to commemorate the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Greenpeace also launched a ‘Call to Action’ for Asean nations to divert from the nuclear path it laid down in the Treaty of Bangkok and repeal the nuclear development provision in the Asean Energy Cooperation Plan 2010-2015.
“We invite all citizens of Asean member states to join Greenpeace in delivering a strong call to action to Asean leaders to learn from Fukushima,” Xinhua news agency quoted Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaign director Tara Buakamsri as saying.
“In order to secure a safe, clean energy future for the people of this region, they should drop their plans for nuclear energy and instead concentrate on enabling the rapid uptake of this region’s abundant clean, safe, renewable energy resources,” Buakamsri said.
In Indonesia, more than 100 activists wearing radiation suits paraded through some of Jakarta’s most crowded locations including train stations, bus shelters, cafes, fast food restaurants and parks, to highlight the dangers of nuclear energy, before assembling in front of Indonesia’s Ministry of Research and Technology to urge the government to drop their plans on nuclear energy.
In the Philippines, the mayor of Quezon City cut ribbons to launch Greenpeace’s month-long ‘Shadowlands’ photo exhibition in the Quezon City Hall lobby, documenting the human cost of Fukushima.
In Thailand, Greenpeace activists posted large billboards at five of Bangkok’s largest traffic intersections and held Fukushima photo exhibitions at each location; activists carrying placards also marched along the route and paraded through the iconic Siam Square and Central World shopping malls.
A report from Greenpeace reveals that the nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi plant on Japan’s east coast was due to the failures of the Japanese government, regulators and the nuclear industry.
Although nuclear plans have been delayed in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand largely due to strong public opposition following Fukushima, there is still a strong pro-nuclear industry lobby for Asean leaders.
“The Fukushima disaster was ultimately caused by the Japanese authorities choosing to ignore risks and making business a higher priority than safety,” said Arif Fiyanto, Climate and Energy Campaigner Greenpeace Southeast Asia in Jakarta.
The Fukushima memorial activities will continue throughout the week, including ‘Shadowlands’ exhibitions in Manila and Jakarta and the launching of Greenpeace’s ‘Lessons from Fukushima’ report.
