Overload: Catastrophe in Japan, and More

A sad panda that some online commentators were breathlessly saying was reacting to the unfolding catastrophe in Japan, but which, in reality, was photographed a few years ago.

Today, we paid attention to little else than the tragic crisis in Japan.

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Here's an incredibly informative infographic about how a reactor shuts down, and what happens in a meltdown.

The Union of Concerned Scientists warns that if a full core meltdown at Fukushima were to occur (still, thankfully, a worst case scenario), the radiation plume could reach Tokyo.

Joshua Hatch at the Sunlight Foundation mashed up the map that I've been waiting for: American nuclear reactors and areas of high seismic risk.

Fewer Americans are worried about climate change than any time since 1998.

Coming tomorrow: a slideshow of things you can buy—posters, t-shirts, desserts, and so on—and support relief efforts in Japan. (For the folks out there that need that little extra nudge to give).

Overload is a daily round-up of what we're reading at GOOD Environment HQ.