Editorials
Editorials are opinion-based pieces that thoughtfully discuss or narrate a story about significant events that have occurred in the news. They often reflect the writer's perspective and offer insights into current issues, enabling readers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of our ever-changing world. Through these pieces, editorial writers aim to engage the audience and stimulate thoughtful discussion on various topics that matter to society.
Disclaimer
Some editorials may contain some controversial topics and or political biases; these political biases do not represent The Varsity
What Happened at Chernobyl
By Skyler Dunphy
Edited by Chat GPT
This Editorial Contains Suicide. Reader Discretion is Advised.
3/23/25
Many people know the gist of what happened at Chornobyl: there was a power plant and a nuclear meltdown. However, there is a lot more to the story.
According to the World Nuclear Association:
“The Unit 4 reactor was to be shut down for routine maintenance on April 25, 1986. It was decided to take advantage of this shutdown to determine whether, in the event of a loss of station power, the slowing turbine could provide enough electrical power to operate the main core cooling water circulating pumps until the diesel emergency power generators became operative. This test aimed to determine whether cooling of the core could continue to be ensured in the event of a loss of power…. This type of test had been run the previous year, but the power delivered from the running-down turbine fell off too rapidly, so it was decided to repeat the test using the new voltage regulators that had been developed. Unfortunately, this test, which was considered to be essentially the non-nuclear part of the power plant, was carried out without a proper exchange of information and coordination between the team in charge of the test and the personnel in charge of the safety of the nuclear reactor. Therefore, inadequate safety precautions were included in the test program, and the operating personnel were not alerted to the nuclear safety implications of the electrical test and its potential danger” (World Nuclear Association).
This test caused a surge in power in the core. A failsafe was in place for such an event: it was called AZ-5. AZ-5 was a button designed to shut down the core of a Soviet atomic power plant. The reactors used in the Soviet Union at that time were called RBMK reactors (World Nuclear Association, “RBMK Reactors – Appendix to Nuclear Power Reactors”).
Professor Valery Legasov was a chemist who worked on restoring the exclusion zone. He faced many difficulties during the Chornobyl restoration project. During the trial of Viktor P. Bryukhanov (the plant director), Nikolai M. Fomin (chief engineer), and Anatoly S. Dyatlov (Mr. Fomin’s deputy) (The New York Times), Professor Legasov was discredited for all of his work by the Soviet Union. Eventually, Professor Legasov took his own life. According to the European Energy Forum: “Valery Legasov, in stark opposition to the normal secrecy exhibited by his political leaders, had made a truthful presentation of what had happened. Having been exposed to radiation himself at the Chornobyl site and having undertaken in Vienna to implement immediately the most urgent provisions to avoid a repetition of this accident, two years later, physically weakened and demoralized by the absence of such provisions, the brilliant academician, Valery Legasov…” (European Energy Forum). Before his death, Professor Legasov recorded three memoirs detailing what happened at Chornobyl. The strange thing is that these memoirs were hidden—most likely so the KGB would not find and destroy them. It is unclear who discovered them or where they were found, but they are now available. I will be attaching them at the bottom of this editorial.
Sources
Chat GPT. “ChatGPT - Chernobyl Incident Summary.” ChatGPT, 14 Mar. 2025, chatgpt.com/share/67d476df-3c5c-8011-bac6-21871deece2c. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025..
This was used to edit.
Chornobyl. Directed by Johan Renck, TV Series, HBO Max, 2019.
European Energy Forum. “In Memory of Valery Legasov.” Europeanenergyforum.eu, 2024, www.europeanenergyforum.eu/letter_from_publishe/memory-valery-legasov/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
The New York Times. “Chernobyl Officials Are Sentenced to Labor Camp.” The New York Times, 30 July 1987, www.nytimes.com/1987/07/30/world/chernobyl-officials-are-sentenced-to-labor-camp.html. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
World Nuclear Association. “RBMK Reactors – Appendix to Nuclear Power Reactors - World Nuclear Association.” World-Nuclear.org, 15 Feb. 2022, world-nuclear.org/information-library/appendices/rbmk-reactors. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
---. “Sequence of Events – Chernobyl Accident Appendix 1 - World Nuclear Association.” World-Nuclear.org, 2022, world-nuclear.org/information-library/appendices/chernobyl-accident-appendix-1-sequence-of-events. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
TAPES
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC6eRtEfbooGdcTebWSyW6xv0PbzwbVcV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC56h3Mzu5Y&list=PLC6eRtEfbooGBzRR-YkCD5rV2b6tgKQDa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vew7W28Ty2M&list=PLC6eRtEfbooH2QCTMjEbucAU0SXiRy1Ba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPThCcy9pNM&list=PLC6eRtEfbooGadzrPWuYWDAnecc87lxqA
The Love Canal Disaster
Herbert Bowden
The Love Canal is in Niagara Falls. It has been voted the most appalling environmental tragedy in American history. The Love Canal was supposed to be a dream community. However, it only brought nightmares. In 1910, the nightmares started. It was found that the canal was originally a chemical dump site. In 1953, the Hooker Chemical Company, then the owners and operators of the property, covered the canal with dirt and sold the land for a dollar.
In the late '50s, about 100 homes and a school were built at the site. Due to the chemicals festering underground for years, in 1978, the Love Canal exploded. A record amount of rainfall triggered the explosion. Shortly thereafter, the leaching began. The waste-disposal drums could be seen breaking up through the grounds of backyards. Trees and gardens were turning black and dying. Puddles of noxious substances were pointed out by the residents. Some of these puddles were in their yards, some were in their basements, and others were on the school grounds. Everywhere, the air had a faint, choking smell.
Children returned from play with burns on their hands and faces. Then there were the birth defects. The New York State Health Department is continuing an investigation into a disturbingly high rate of miscarriages, along with five birth defect cases detected thus far in the area. On August 7, New York Governor Hugh Carey announced to the residents of the Canal that the State Government would purchase the homes affected by chemicals. That same day, President Carter approved emergency financial aid for the Love Canal area (the first emergency funds ever approved for something other than a "natural" disaster). The U.S. Senate approved a "sense of Congress" amendment saying that Federal aid should be forthcoming to relieve the serious environmental disaster that had occurred. By the month's end, 98 families had already been evacuated. Another 46 had found temporary housing. Soon after, all families would be gone from the most contaminated areas, and 221 families had moved or agreed to be moved.
State figures show more than 200 home purchase offers have been made, totaling nearly $7 million.
Sources
· Alfred, Randy. “Nov. 21, 1968: Love Canal Calamity Surfaces.” WIRED, 21 Nov. 2008, www.wired.com/2008/11/nov-21-1968-love-canal-calamity-surfaces-2/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
· Beck, Eckardt C. “The Love Canal Tragedy.” Www.epa.gov, US Environmental Protection Agency, Jan. 1979, www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/love-canal-tragedy.html. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
· Wikipedia Contributors. “Love Canal.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Canal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
What is Atomic Power?
By Skyler Dunphy
Edited By Chat GPT
Atomic power, or nuclear power, is generated by splitting uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. This reaction releases substantial heat, which produces steam that drives turbines, generating electricity. However, this process produces nuclear waste. The World Nuclear Association notes that while the radioactivity of high-level waste (HLW) decreases over time, reaching levels similar to the originally mined ore within 1,000 to 10,000 years, some industrial wastes, such as heavy metals like cadmium and mercury, remain hazardous indefinitely. This long-term hazard of nuclear waste necessitates careful management and storage solutions.
Another concern is the potential for nuclear meltdowns. Such events can release harmful radiation into the environment, affecting both wildlife and human populations over extensive areas. Historically, there have been three major nuclear meltdowns: Chernobyl in Ukraine, Fukushima Daiichi in Japan, and Three Mile Island in the United States. Despite these risks, nuclear power remains a significant energy source globally. As of 2023, approximately 440 commercial nuclear reactors are operating in about 30 countries, contributing roughly 9% of the world’s electricity. Notably, France generates about 65% of its electricity from nuclear energy, while the United States produces nearly 20% of its electricity from nuclear sources.
The future of nuclear power varies by region. Some countries continue to invest in nuclear technology, viewing it as a low-carbon energy source essential for meeting climate goals. Conversely, others are reducing their reliance on nuclear energy, focusing instead on renewable resources due to concerns about safety, waste management, and economic factors.
Sources:
Martucci, Brian. “Nuclear Sector’s Views on Second Trump Administration Mixed as Rogan Interview Raises Questions.” Utility Dive, 8 Nov. 2024, www.utilitydive.com/news/nuclear-energy-sector-mixed-views-second-trump-administration-joe-rogan/732407/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Nuclear Energy Institute. “Top 15 Nuclear Generating Countries.” Nuclear Energy Institute, June 2021, www.nei.org/resources/statistics/top-15-nuclear-generating-countries. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
“Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts.” Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts, 31 May 2019, www.fairewinds.org/what-is-a-meltdown. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Office of Nuclear Energy. “NUCLEAR 101: How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?” Energy.gov, Office of Nuclear Energy, 2 Aug. 2023, www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-101-how-does-nuclear-reactor-work. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
PowerfulJRE. “Joe Rogan Experience #2219 - Donald Trump.” YouTube, 25 Oct. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMoPUAeLnY. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
World Nuclear Association. “Radioactive Waste – Myths and Realities - World Nuclear Association.” World-Nuclear.org, 12 Aug. 2024, world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-waste/radioactive-wastes-myths-and-realities. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
“Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors.” World-Nuclear.org, 2 Mar. 2022, world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/safety-of-nuclear-power-reactors. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
The History of Notre Dame
By Kayla Bergen
January 1st, 2025
The Cathedral of Notre Dame, also referred to as “Our Lady of Paris”, is located in Paris, France. For centuries now it has been a popular spot for tourists. Some tourists are of faith, while others are atheists. Why?
In 116,3, the construction of Notre Dame began out of the rubble of two previously destroyed churches. It wasn’t until 1250 that the Cathedral was completed. Since then, the church has changed drastically. From the point of being conceived, to the modern day, many renovations are continually being made to care for this Sacred structure. The Cathedral of Notre Dame has had anything but an easy life, though. Following the French Revolution in 1799, Napoleon saved the Cathedral from the decision of being torn down. After that, Notre Dame underwent many years of construction to repair the damage inflicted by the French Revolution. Yet, more trials for Notre Dame followed. In 2019, during a period of construction, a fire broke out in the attic, destroying most of the roof and biting away at other parts of this massive building, as well as destroying the center spire. It was immediately promised by the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, that the affected parts of the building would be rebuilt. And that is just what happened. This period of construction lasted for five long years. Now, we can finally say that Notre Dame has opened back up again on December 8, 2024.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame has many spiritual aspects to it. One of which is, the many spirals of the Cathedral are designed to attract your eyes up to Heaven. The detailed sculptures covering the building are there to represent the battle between good and evil. The building also symbolizes hope and unity for people of any religious background or none at all. One of its bells, called the EmEmmanuelell, is there to chime for important events, whether it’s daily mass or the end of a war. With those chimes, it has become an accepted part of daily living for everyone and as well as a symbol of Hope.
Notre Dame has been a widely accepted and trusted place for many centuries. Resting in the heart of Paris, it is a common place for gatherings, whether of faith or more public events. In 1239, the Cathedral acquired an even deeper level of trust when King Louis IX placed the Crown of Thorns in the care of the Cathedral. The very Crown of Thorns is believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion. This boosted the popularity of the already very famous Cathedral. This addition also caused Notre Dame to become an even greater attraction for people with special devotion to Mary, bringing out the fact that Notre Dame is dedicated to the Virgin Mother. This, however, was not the final resting place for The Crown of Thorns.
In 1793, during the French Revolution, the Cathedral of Notre Dame found itself being attacked. Statues of the Apostles on the outside were mistaken for kings and decapitated; inside, artifacts were destroyed or stolen. The Crown of Thorns was safely transported to the national library until this period of destruction was over. After that, it moved back to Notre Dame. In 2019, due to the fire, the Crown of Thorns was transported again, this time, to the Louvre Museum, also located in Paris. There it stayed until Notre Dame opened again, this December.
Despite all of the reconstruction done to Notre Dame throughout the ages, this structure still holds the same beauty it did in 1250, if not more. The perils that Notre Dame has faced prove to us that God is with us.
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, December 7). Gothic architecture. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-architecture
Notre Dame Cathedral: History, fire, and restoration. World History. (2024, December 5). https://worldhistoryjournal.com/2024/12/07/notre-dame-cathedral-history-fire-and-restoration/
Matilda Movie Review
By Zoe Collins
The 2022 film Matilda is based on the award-winning musical of the same name, yet it brings a fresh take from the source material. This film has a unique story shown through the eyes of young prodigy, Matilda Wormwood. Matilda lives with her sleazy and inattentive parents, who detest her love for reading and learning. One day her parents are forced to send her to a real school, due to their neglect, where she can finally learn how she had always dreamt. Once she arrives, she is faced with a challenging force, such as her new headmistress: The Trunchbull. Her new teacher Ms.Honey is the complete opposite, loves Matilda, and wants to help her exceptional mind in any way she can; even if that means confronting Ms. Trunchbull about... the rules of her school. Matilda already tries to revolt in any way she can from Trunchbull's strict rules, and she finally starts a revolution, giving hope to her peers. She breaks down Trunchbull through her perseverance and wins back the former whimsy school for her classmates and Ms. Honey. The settings help bring out the personalities of the characters and show the deep contrast between Matilda's chaotic life at home versus the one at school. The wide range of characters both encourages her, and others challenge her to develop her character and awaken her confidence. The movie, despite taking place in a dreary and miserable school, also has a stunning color pallet that is ever-changing and keeps the viewer engaged. The scenes are quick, yet not too hard to follow when paying attention, and help to continue the story in a meaningful way. Every song has a purpose and lively visuals to accompany the story while displaying the huge range of vocal talents of adolescents, to richer voices. Choreography also went hand in hand with Matilda, it only adds and highlights the rhythm and overall energy of the songs while not taking away from them either, however quiet at times. Overall, Matilda is an exciting movie that teaches growing minds to push and even break boundaries
and expectations, while still carrying Matilda’s youthful energy and love.
The Color Purple
By Zoe Collins
The Color Purple follows the story of Celie and the struggles of living in the Deep Sleep South with her abusive husband, Harpo. She shows the misfortune of being a black woman of the 1900s by weaving her own story. Celie searches for her newly lost sister, discovers herself through womanhood, and finds her place in the world. This new rendition, based on the Broadway musical and 1985 film, brings the audience back to the past with a modern theatrical twist. The diverse characters set each other apart with their respective actors’ voices, who bring them to life again. They all have different backgrounds while intertwining their stories together through the fellowship of friendships and the pains of discrimination. The musical brings forth many vocal powerhouses to the screen with stars: Hailey Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks. Each actor transports the audience to the scene and showcases their expressive talent with the intense emotion that correlates to such a heavy feature. This film flawlessly executes the harsh realities of the 1900s period while also bringing the heat with a passionate, showstopping musical number to make you get up out of your seat. This movie sticks close to its source material while also opening new ideas and visuals within the narrative. The musical, although dark at times, shows the strength of women and their sisters and never losing the loving bond created through their tribulations.
Earth’s Temporary Moon
By Kayla Bergen
September, 26th 2024
For 53 days the Earth will be accompanied by another “mini moon”. From September 29 to November 25 an asteroid will be falling into Earth's orbit for a limited time. This asteroid has been named 2024 PT5.
2024 PT5 will not be completing a full orbit around Earth, making it an unofficial mini moon. Instead, it will be making a horseshoe shape around Earth before falling back into its respective asteroid belt. This asteroid belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, which follows a similar orbit to Earth’s. Scientists think that 2024 PT5 may be a part of Earth’s moon that fell off at a previous impact in the past.
2024 PT5 was discovered on August 7 of this year. It was discovered forms ATLAS or the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.
Some people may be wondering if this “mini moon” will be visible from Earth’s surface. Unfourtnetly the answer no. 2024 PT5 will not be visible with your bare eye, nor with a typical home telescope. Scientists estimate that the 2024 PT5 is around 33 feet and is not a bright enough object.
It is not extremely uncommon for these astronomic events to happen. The last time an asteroid entered Earth’s orbit was two years ago during the Summer of 2022. 2022, however, was not the first time that that asteroid entered Earth’s orbit. It made an appearance in 1981 and is expected to return in 2051. This coming asteroid, 2024 PT5, is expected to return by 2055.
Citations:
Strickland, A. (2024, September 20). A space rock is about to become Earth’s new “mini moon.” CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/science/earth-asteroid-mini-moon/index.html
Los Angeles Times. (2024, September 19). What you need to know about Earth’s new, temporary mini moon. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-19/earth-second-mini-moon-2024-pt5
Eclipses Explained
By Kayla Bergen
2024
A solar eclipse, not to be confused with a lunar eclipse, is a special event that occurs when the moon is positioned between the sun and the Earth. A total solar eclipse usually lasts only a few minutes and can only happen during the daytime. Solar eclipses are rare and do not occur on a set date. However, at least one total solar eclipse is likely to happen somewhere on Earth within three years.
A lunar eclipse, however, is the opposite of a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is likely to occur twice a year somewhere on Earth. This happens when the Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon. That results in a shadow on the moon, causing the moon to have a reddish appearance. This event will only happen at night. You probably know it takes the moon about a 27 days to orbit the Earth. That may lead one to wonder why we don’t have a lunar eclipse every month. You probably also know that the moon orbits the Earth at a tilt. Because of this tilt, the moon does not always get in the Earth's shadow.
You should note that there is a difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon covers the entire sun, making the sky appear as if it is in the middle of the night. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out just a bit of the sun's light; this could last up to an hour.
The most recent total solar eclipse in the United States was on April 8, 2024. That eclipse was visible from Texas to Maine. Parts of Mexico and Canada were also able to view the eclipse. The last total solar eclipse before that to be visible from the United States was in 2017. This eclipse was visible from Oregon to South Carolina. The Next total solar eclipse in the world will be in 2026. That eclipse will be viable from parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. The next total solar eclipse to be visible in the United States is predicted to happen on August 23, 2044. It will start in Greenland and make its way to Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Scientists have discovered much from the eclipses recorded in the past. Scientists discovered that Earth’s rotation has slowed down by 47 thousandths of a second per day in the past 3,200 years. Scientists were also able to give a probable date to when Jesus was crucified using what the bible says about eclipses. They came up with the date April 3, 33 C.E.
NASA. (2024, March 29). Lunar eclipses and solar eclipses. NASA. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/
NASA. (n.d.). History of eclipses - NASA Science. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/history/
National eclipse. Eclipse Maps | August 23, 2044 - Total Solar Eclipse. (n.d.). https://nationaleclipse.com/maps/map_08232044.html