The end of the world?

No, the half-life of the radioactive gases like H2, O2, N2 are measured in seconds. That's why the radiation counts in Japan are still within normal limits. After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japanese paranoia about radiation is understandable.

The paranoia elsewhere is politically motivated by:

1. "greens" that are adamant against nuclear energy,
2. US establishment that sees this as a way of increasing the dependence of Japan which has been recently assertive under the DPJ.

Unless we can cover the deserts with photovoltaic film to power the grid; wind, tide, hydro and all renewables combined just cannot meet our energy needs. And, if we don't start soon to reserve oil for aircraft that cannot use any other energy source, we will have to use ships for travel.