Antinuclear

Australian Nuclear, Climate , News to 27 August

NUCLEAR Articles on weapons and disarmament dominate the nuclear news this week. On Monday 29 August,  an international conference entitled ‘Building a Nuclear Weapons Free World’ will take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. That day will also be the 25th anniversary of of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site – largest in the world, where 456 weapons tests happened, leaving  a terrible legacy for the people.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for eradication of nuclear weapons.   The nuclear working group at the UN concluded its work in Geneva, and the majority of governments voted to recommended that the UN General Assembly set up a conference in 2017 to negotiate a new treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, despite the Australian government’s best efforts to sabotage this. This is one of those times when I am ashamed to be Australian.

CLIMATE. A new study declares that human-caused climate change began at around 1830.  (I’ve always thought that it was 1801, because of the 1801 painting Coalbrookdale by Night – attached). Research indicates that the difference between 1.5 C and 2C  rise in global  temperatures will be significant, and in only 20 years’ time. Huge volume of Greenland Ice Sheet lost each year, due to global warming.  Again this year, Indonesia’s blanket of smoke is back.  India floods: Over 300 dead, millions affected  Louisiana National Guard Rescues 19,000 in Flood-Affected Areas.

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR Details on Australia’s disgraceful performance at UN in Geneva can be read here and here. It was pretty stupid and counter-productive, too – made Australia unpopular, and cemented the resolve of other countries for a disarmament conference in 2017. Secretive Pine Gap remains an integral part of USA’s nuclear ‘star wars’ plans (an old newspaper article, still relevant, but now removed from their website)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA‘s nuclear waste dump plan not economically viable? The global nuclear lobby doesn’t care.  Roger Cross: Reasons to Reject a Medium and High Level Radioactive Waste Dump in South Australia.  SA govt going allout with pro nuclear propaganda forums.

Energy Resources of Australia unable to meet costs of cleaning up Ranger uranium mine. (What a surprise – not)

In Greenland, Indigenous people oppose Australian company’s plan for massive uranium mine in Greenland

CLIMATE CHANGE  154 scientists press Australian government for urgent action on climate change.  Australia in grave danger if global warming exceeds 2 C.  Adaptation – South Australia in the lead.  Australian Government quietly removes Clive Hamilton’s page that listed climate deniers. Adani court decision: Traditional Owners say fight to stop QLD’s Carmichael mine continues.

RENEWABLE ENERGY South Australia: Future Business Council calls for National smart energy grid.  Canberra heads to 100% renewable energy, helped by wind power from South Australia. Community solar fund shares sold out in nine minutes!.

Landmark payout for Aboriginal custodians who have lost their native title rights.  BUT Suppression of native title for the Mirarr people= extinguishment of rights?

August 29, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews