Sunflowers For Fukushima


Can growing sunflowers help draw radioactive particles out of the soil in contaminated areas of Fukushima prefecture? Swedish newspaper DN thinks so, and had this lovely photo by Kerstin Joensson, which I thought was too good to not share with you.

Also, it had a link to an article in The Telegraph that claims there have been similar projects in Chernobyl.

Scientists believe that sunflowers at their full height can absorb large quantities of radioactive caesium, resulting in their growing presence across the Fukushima landscape in order to help decontaminate soil.


The Telegraph: Sunflowers heal soil across nuclear-hit Fukushima

I'd like to see the scientific reports that are behind this. We know that the levels of Caesium isotopes are extremely high in certain areas in Fukushima, from independent testing. It may take a long time before soil with such levels can be used for farming food again. But anyway, the flowers are pretty and bright!


If you want to contribute, try this link to e-Bookland Inc. Many volunteers have been involved in the planting, and as you can see they have gotten quite a lot of media attention in Japan for this effort.

Comments

Ifinder Ifindi said…
Great blog with inspirational work and information. A great social concern. Thanking You with High Regards.
7:54 pm, July 25, 2011
Mandalalinda said…
I am Sunflower Dreamer. We will create a Great Global Sunflower Mandala to heal the Earth of trauma, war, pollution. I am heartened to know the Sunflowers are being planted and already healing the Earth and people of Japan.
2:07 am, August 07, 2011
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