Ken Han, G11, RDF International School

In the Mie Prefecture Aquarium in Japan, an extraordinary specimen can be found — a 96-legged octopus. Typically, octopuses have eight legs, making this particular discovery very unusual. The origins of this peculiar creature can be traced back to the devastating Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. The fallout from this incident contaminated an extensive area spanning 30,000 square kilometers.

During a routine fishing expedition, a fisherman unexpectedly reeled in this terrifying octopus. A shocking level of radioactivity detected within its body indicated that its deformity was due to the detrimental effects of nuclear radiation.

Nuclear radiation is widely recognized as a grave threat to our environment. Its impact includes the elimination of vegetation in affected regions, the deformation or mutation of living organisms, and even death. Despite the severity of the situation, the Japanese authorities claimed to lack available resources to construct additional storage tanks to hold its nuclear-contaminated water.

According to their current plan, the contaminated water will be filtered, purified, diluted, and ultimately discharged into the sea. Astonishingly, on Aug. 24, Japan proceeded with this controversial action, despite the opposition of their own citizens and objections raised by other nations. It is believed that this practice of discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea will persist for at least 30 years.

Experts predict that within 57 days of the initial release, radioactive materials will have spread across a substantial portion of the Pacific Ocean. Within three years, the United States and Canada will experience the effects of nuclear contamination. In a decade’s time, the entire global water supply will become compromised. The consequences of these actions are far-reaching, impacting marine life and posing risks to the seafood we consume.

The ocean is not Japan’s trash can, and the Pacific is not its sewer. It’s time for Japan to act more responsibly and reconsider its decision.