Phytoremediation is a new and foreign technology for some. However, it is a technology that can be very beneficial, not just for our community but for Japan. Especially in its time of need when radiation is becoming a larger, pressing issue. Can the plants save the Japanese and benefit the United States? Or will the plants ruin any chance we have of survival.
Social Impacts
In our society, phytoremediation can be an important tool to "go green" with. It's very inexpensive and attractive to the public because some of the plants used are gorgeous looking and helpful at the same time. This will increase human health by having healthier soil available to grow crops, which means that fewer families will be malnourished. The consumers of the plants will attribute from phytoremediation by keeping the plants in their gardens at home. (U.S Department of Agriculture, paraphrased.) The plants will then remove the hazardous wastes on their properties, making a healthier, better looking home. Also, cultural traditions will not be altered in any way. In America, we have many cultures. Keeping plants on their properties will not alter any cultures whatsoever. Social behaviors will only benefit because the communities will look healthier and more welcome with plants and fresh looking neighborhoods. Then, more people will feel prompted to be more neighborly and kind.
In the global communities, especially Japan, phytoremediation will become a key role to introducing countries into new forms of society. In Japan, a lot of food has gone to waste because of radiation issues. Many are/will become malnourished. With phytoremediation, the families in Japan will be able to have to food that they need if plants that absorb harmful radiation are planted. Especially in the other damages caused by the tsunami and earthquakes, the government can't afford to be spending tons of money. Phytoremediation will play a huge role in establishing human health and nourishment. Also, cultural traditions will not be altered. Plants are very earthy and look fresh and beautiful. If anything, the plants will make Japan look more wonderful after the horrible disaster. I also think that the behaviors of the people will be lightened when they see their homes being restored with new plants.
Political Impacts
In our society, phytoremediation can be used to advance certain political groups and appeal to the public. This will allow political groups to become more popular. But in turn, the political groups who don't use phytoremediation will lose popularity. This may not all happen right now, but in the future it very well might.
In the global community, phytoremediation will be a huge key to grabbing the attention of the members of society. I mean, who can't resist a big, long word that sounds helpful to the Earth. That is exactly what phytoremediation is. The more developing countries could bond together over the simplest things, such as, phytoremediation. It will help to make their homes better places to be. Also, political groups will receive help and support from the citizens.
Economical Impacts
Phytoremediation is great for our economy in the U.S. We are a very developed country, so what better way to "go green" as the latest trend states, without spending large amounts of money. Especially coming out of the economical crash we just had, we cannot afford to spend any more money that needed. No companies or jobs will be lost through the growth of phytoremediation. But, companies and jobs can be created. This will help the economical status that we are in right now. Many new jobs can be provided for many who have lost jobs, for example, a job could be a plant tester.
In Japan, so many jobs and companies have been destroyed because of these natural disasters that have been occurring. Like the U.S, many jobs can be created and companies can thrive off of phytoremediation. Although the results may not come as quickly as we hope they should come, bit by bit, Japan will become a thriving country as it had been. In other countries, phytoremediation is a long sounding word that sounds like it could be an expensive thing to add to their culture. However, it is something that can be a new technology to elevate the developing countries into the twenty-first century.
Real-World Connection: Japan
One of the key points mentioned on this website was the use of phytoremediation to clean up the radiation after the recent disaster in Japan, where a 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami to rush over Japan and devastate the land. Along with these two enormous problems, came the malfunctioning of the nuclear reactors. While the officials attempt to reduce the impact, the reactors are releasing dangerous amounts of radiation. This hasn’t only affected Japan, in such a way that it is unknown how the Japanese will recover, but the world as well. The radiation has been leaking into the ocean, and into the air, and is being circulated throughout the world. A recent testing of the milk in California has shown small levels of radiation – very small, that has a half life of only eight days, so that it will most likely be gone by the time it reached the consumers; but still apparent (KCRA 3 News, 2011). How long will it be before these radiation levels begin to grow? What if the reactors do, in fact, go into a full meltdown? What will happen to the world?
In 1986, a similar disaster occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine – a large amount of radiation was released due to a series of events – a power outage, a power surge due to the emergency shutdown, a chain of explosions, and the ignition of the graphite moderator – and sent the world into panic (Wikipedia, 2011). The result – after the initial disaster – was a series of deaths and – decades later – cancer patients.
And what did scientists propose that we do about the radiation in Chernobyl? Phytoremediation (Chernobyl Nuclear Plant The Use of Phytoremediation to Clean, 2004). So what about now? What should we do? What do you say we put phytoremediation into action, and save this world the slow-but-effective, old fashioned way?
