Antinuclear

Nuclear Radiation and Women – theme for May 2013

As the nuclear lobby is busy persuading the world that ionising radiation is OK really, the facts are different. The most recent  National Academy of Sciences  Biological Effects of Ionising Radiation ( BEIR VII)   in studying  the cancer risk, supplied tables that showed the clear difference between radiation effects on  males and females.

This lifespan graph (By Ian Goddard, deriving data from those tables) shows increased cancer risk by exposure to a given amount of radiation.  Note the high risk for infant and little girls.

The pink line shows the risk for girls, the blue line for boys. Look at left hand part of the graph.  It covers from zero to 5 years, and includes pre birth.    We see a striking difference between the blue line and the pink line.  The nuclear regulators assume that the risk shown here at age 30– in the blue line- is the same for every individual regardless of age or gender, – this is marked by the green circle.  Yet, even at ages 40 – 60 the cancer risk from radiation is significantly more for women, than for men. - Mary Olson 

That’s just looking at cancer risk. Not even considering risks to reproductive system pregnancy, and  genetic effects.

May 11, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

ANTINUCLEAR supports ANONYMOUS in protest against The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Christina Macpherson , 22 April 13, The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, just passed by USA house, will allow Internet companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and this blog’s web host, to share personal information with the government – a move that threatens civil liberties and freedom of speech.

No news from this website for 24 hours, in support of Anonymous’ campaign for freedom of speech

April 22, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

The nuclear/uranium industry and WOMEN – theme for May 2013

Australia is sadly lacking in publicising the health effects of ionising radiation.  This is of special concern to women, who are more seriously affected by radiation than men are.

A woman is at significantly greater risk of suffering and dying from radiation-induced cancer  than a man who gets the same dose of ionizing radiation. This is news because data in the report  on the biological effects of ionizing radiation published in 2006 by the National Academy of  Sciences (NAS) has been under-reported. It is more often acknowledged that children are at higher risk of disease and death from radiation, but it is rarely pointed out that the regulation of  radiation and nuclear activity (worldwide) ignores the disproportionately greater harm to both  women and children. http://www.nirs.org/radiation/radhealth/radiationwomen.pdf

In Australia women are rarely heard in the “debate” on nuclear power – and are likely to be ignored or ridiculed when they do speak up.  In 1980 Labor quickly ousted the popular Senator Jean Melzer  who opposed the uranium industry – Melzer warned of Australia becoming “the  world’s quarry and waste dump”.

The world’s most famous and most fully informed speaker on nuclear power is Australia’s Dr Helen Caldicott –  truly a world leader, but pretty much ignored in her own country. Our other anti nuclear heroic women, Dianne Stokes, Yvonne Margarula, Jacqui Katona are similarly ignored by the Australian media.   But it will not be possible for Australia to continue to ignore the voices of women, who are here, as in all countries world-wide, very strongly participating in the movement for clean energy, and for the  abolition of nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

April 18, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Nuclear secrets and lies – theme for April 2013

The nuclear industry was born in secrecy and in a lie. “Atoms For Peace” was just a coverup for continuing and enlarging the nuclear war machine. “There never has been a nuclear power plant built that was cost competitive, in this country or any other” - David Freeman, former Chair of Tennessee Valley Authority  http://www.totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=hcf#

The secrecy part of nuclear power is obvious – it has to be secret, for security and safety reasons –   but that secrecy goes on to all its dark issues –   nuclear diseconomics, crooked deals, dangers,  suppression of truth about radiation effects.

Tied in with the secrecy are of course – the lies.  The old lies – that nuclear weapons are necessary, that nuclear power is safe, cheap, clean, the cure for climate change, waste disposal is solved.

The new lies – that new nuclear technology – reprocessing, small reactors, thorium reactors will be the salvation of the industry, and of the world’s climate and energy problems.

Above all – the lies that renewable energy is ineffective, uneconomic, doesn’t supply “base load” power.   These are perhaps the worst lies – as the nuclear lobby tries to stop the world from getting 100% clean energy – now possible,  from the sun, wind, and tides.

April 6, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Secrets and Lies – Australian theme for April 2013

For Australia, lying on matters nuclear is a long tradition.  Never more so than now,  Australia, being a strategic colony of the USA, and a commercial colony of the multinational corporations.

The current nuclear lies and coverups in Australia are in general, the same as in the global lying.

However, there are some lies and coverups that are special to Australia, for example:

• The lie that the uranium industry has a great future – even as uranium prices continue their downward spiral, and nuclear power falters worldwide
• The lie that renewable energy, solar, wind – is just not suitable, ( indeed wind is “unhealthy”), for Australia
• The lie that the planned nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory is needed for “nuclear medicine”
• The continued coverup of plans being hatched by greedy persons to make Australia the repositary for international radioactive wastes – this one includes the lie that Australia needs the full nuclear fuel cycle.

March 30, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Effects of Fukushima nuclear catastrophe- theme for March 2013

People from around the world attended the recent symposium in New York, hearing expert scientific and medical speakers. These lectures encompassed aspects of the situation in Fukushima, and of the effects of ionising radiation. There was also a focus on North America, particularly on its nuclear waste problem.

 Dr Hisako Sakiyama presented the most informational and moving account of research into radiation at Fukushima, and of the prospects for the irradiated population.

March 16, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT – post FUKUSHIMA – theme for March 2013

In New York, international doctors and scientists are meeting to apply a searching light into the medical and environmental consequences of the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe.   This symposium has been many months in the making, in the organisation of gathering experts on every aspect of this important issue.

Some of these scientists are experienced nuclear physicists and engineers.  But many are from other disciplines – genetics, biology, ecology, marine biology, climatology and even some from  from other areas, like economics, social science areas, such as gender studies.

These are the disciplines that are ignored by nuclear lobbyists  who would have us believe that these are “soft” studies, not “hard” science, like nuclear physics.   “Soft” science doesn’t matter , (except for climate studies, which suddenly matters because they can con us that nuclear power is the solution).   Australia’s nuclear lobbyists ignore “soft” science like genetics and ecology:

A. because if these issues were taken seriously – that would spell the end of nuclear power, the end of their industry.

B. because they don’t know anything about these sciences, anyway.

The New York symposium has the task of exploring and explaining to the world, the meaning of the Fukushima disaster – in its effects on human, other species, and the land, air, water and plants, on which we all depend for our health. They also will explain the importance of these effects for our children, grand-children, and future generations.

Soft stuff? Trivial?  ”Fukushima is over” – Australia’s nuclear lobby would have us believe.   Already Marin Ferguson, Australia’s (FORMER) Minister For Pushing the Nuclear Agenda,  has come out of the woodwork (he’s rarely available) to push for nuclear power, as though the Fukushima event is now over and done with.

Australia’s Murdochracy will continue to ignore the “soft” sciences, and give Australia’s public the hard sell on nuclear. But with online journals, blogs, alternative media, the New York messages will reach us.

March 9, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Health and Environment – Fukushima radiation’s long term effects – theme for March 2013

The nuclear lobby loves to concentrate only on the dramatic – explosions, accidents, sudden deaths from acute “high level” radiation.  The nuclear lobby very deliberately leaves out the more subtle effects of ionising radiation from its industry – the long term non dramatic ones,  - cancers, birth defects, damaged genes.

Nuclear “experts” are, as we are always told, nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers – the “hard” scientists – the ones who know all about machines, reactor designs, functions, reactor buildings, nuclear weapons. ( But some “hard” scientists are very worried about  radiation effects  - these ones are called “cranks”)

Nuclear “non experts” are the doctors, biologists, ecologists, paediatricians – the ones who know about human bodies, and the lives of humans and other species.  These are the people who know, and care,  about ionising radiation and its effects.

Thank goodness – these true radiation experts, (and some well informed “hard” scientists).  are getting together in New York on March 11-12,  to tell the world the facts about ionising radiation, health, environment – and the true long term effects of Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.   Symposium on The Medical and Ecological Impacts of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident To Be Held at the New York Academy of Medicine  nuclearfreeplanet.org

Just a few of the topics they will cover:

•  Chernobyl, Fukushima and Other Hot Places, Biological Consequences (Dr. Tim Mousseau,)
• Congenital Malformations in Rivne Polossia and the Chernobyl Accident (Dr. Wladimir Wertelecki) 
• Thyroid Pathology in Children with Particular Reference to Chernobyl and Fukushima (Dr. Marek Niedziela)  
• The implications of the massive contamination of Japan with radioactive cesium (Steven Starr) 
• The Hazards of Low-level Ionizing Radiation: Controversy and Evidence.” (Dr. Herbert Abrams) 
• Gender Matters in the Atomic Age (Mary Olson) 
• The Nuclear Age and Future Generations (Dr. Helen Caldicott)

February 28, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

The terminally ill global nuclear industry – theme for February 2013

The global nuclear industry is sick, indeed, it is in palliative care.  And here are 10 good reasons why: (see side bar for  a little more detail on these)

1. Gloom overlies the nuclear lobby, fear of this question: the next nuclear catastrophe.  Not IF it will happen, but WHEN and WHERE?

2.  Aging, dangerous nuclear reactors that are too costly to make safe. .

3. “New nuclear” is  a joke. The nuclear lobby will boast of so many “planned”, “proposed” reactors. But new ones actually being built? – just two and a half duds.

4 Discord and dissension in the nuclear camp.  Nuclear countries cannot afford new reactors, so desperately compete to sell  them to other countries.

Meanwhile nuclear companies battle it out to market their particular new gee-whiz nuclear reactor version.

5. Climate change affects nuclear reactors.

6. Nuclear weapons now out-dated. 21st Century conflict is all about smaller, targeted
weapons, like the USA’s assassination drones.  Pride and status are now the only motives for having nuclear weapons.

7. Decline in electricity use

8 Renewable energy, both centralised and small scale, is fast being developed, and widely popular (unlike nuclear).

9. Danger – whatever kind of nuclear facility – there is always the danger of accident or terrorism –  they are  a target for terrorists.

10 Public opinion. Worldwide – people just don’t like nuclear power.

A bit more detail on all these points – see sidebar at right

February 9, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Why thorium nuclear reactors are a bad idea for Australia – theme for February 2013

Yes – we’ve got lots of thorium –   so – great idea for Australia to get thorium nuclear reactors?   WRONG ! (Read the sidebar on this page for more detail on this).

And note that – not only will some mining companies salivate at the thought of mining thorium, but, more importantly, the nuclear lobby will salivate at the thought of setting up the full nuclear fuel cycle in Australia – and/or importing plutonium and enriched uranium.   Because that’s what thorium reactors will need – to get their process happening.

HOWEVER, in reality, thorium nuclear reactors are a non starter. Here are 6 reasons why  (Read the sidebar on this page for more detail on this).

1. TIME - delay of even 50 years to get them happening.

2. ECONOMICS.  They’re touted as small reactors, and therefore cheaper. Trouble is, they’re only cheaper if mass produced . Thorium is also not more economical to run.

3. WEAPONS PROLIFERATION   Thorium can be used to make Uranium-233, which in turn can be used to make bombs.  Even plutonium could be made in a Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR)

4. WASTES While the mix of fission products is somewhat different than with uranium fuel, the same range of fission products is created. 

The waste might be smaller in volume compared to that of uranium reactor, but it  is more radioactive due to the higher volume of radioactive fission products.  The reactor itself, at the end of its lifetime, will constitute high level waste. http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/nuclearnews/NuClearNewsNo43.pdf

5. SAFETY and SECURITY  Dangerous plutonium and enriched uranium  are needed to start the process and keep it going.  Such dangers make high security necessary. Any bomb dropped on a thorium reactor will result in a catastrophic accident.

January 22, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

2013 – the struggle for a nuclear free, liveable world

It might be too late to prevent heating of the planet,  the upheavals of climate change, and the horrors of nuclear accidents, wars, and the slow spread of ionising radiation.

But it surely is too early to give up on trying.

I am not optimistic. We know that cigarettes and asbestos cause painful, fatal cancers. The Western world is learning to abandon these killers. Yet the tobacco and asbestos companies are thriving, selling these to the “developing” nations – a pernicious form of 21st Century colonialism.  So the slow killer of fossil fuel pollution continues.  The fast killers of nuclear accident, nuclear war become more likely, as well as the slower killer of spreading ionising radiation. The over-developed world is all too happy also to sell these killer technologies around the world.

2013 is the pivotal year.  In the words of Redgum, an old Australian band  - “If you don’t fight, you lose”

January 5, 2013 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | 1 Comment

2013 – the struggle to expose the truth about ionising radiation

Like the tobacco and asbestos industries, the nuclear industry will fight tooth and nail to convince the world that we need nuclear power.

The nuclear lobby hopes on hope that the next nuclear disaster will not happen during 2013.

And it probably won’t.       (if it did, there would be a whole new battleground).

The nuclear lobby will use its financial, political, and media muscle to make the Fukushima nuclear disaster fade out of public consciousness.

The new battleground will be the field of ionising radiation.  They admit that high doses of radiation are bad .   They now perpetrate the deception that low doses of ionising radiation are OK, even beneficial.

It took 50 years for the lies of the tobacco and asbestos lobbies to be exposed.

We don’t have 50 years.

Why does the nuclear lobby perpetrate these lies?    Well, they don’t want their industry to close down. And they are like silly little boys – it’s fun, it’s  a game, to put it over everyone. They are impervious to thoughts about deformed babies and cancer.

December 30, 2012 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | 1 Comment

Nuclear Power, Christmas, and the Consumer Society – theme for December 2012

December brings many religious holy days  - Ashura (Muslim) ,  Bodhi Day (Buddhist) , Hanukkah (Jewish). the Nativity, (Christian). They all bring happy days of socialising with family and friends.

The Christian Nativity brings a message of peace, simplicity, respect for all peoples and animals.

BUT – the Christian holy day has been swamped – taken over by that frenetic orgy of buying stuff and more stuff.    As if we show our love for each other by extravagant spending, – instead of just having pleasant times together.

The nuclear industry must love it!

A nuclear delight, as the Christmas madness marries the Western consumer culture, and the whole thing spreads its ugly face across the world.  Christmas has become symbolic of endless consumption of material things.  That in turn, means endless consumption of energy.

Some people are resisting this mad consumer rush, choosing a simpler celebration, rejecting the unnecessary gift-giving to those who have too much stuff already.  Perhaps giving, in  a real sense, to aid to refugee organisations.

December 8, 2012 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | Leave a Comment

Nuclear power and the Consumer Society – theme for December 2012

Endless economic growth,  endless producing of things, endless buying of things, endless energy use, endless creation of wastes – this is the way that we humans run our lives, and our planet.

But the planet can’t take it, and neither can we.

It seemed OK, when the Western world could exploit its own indigenous areas, and the “Third World” –    the mess made by digging things up, leaving wastes, throwing stuff away – all this could go into the land and waterways of remote “undeveloped” peoples.

But we’ve run out of “undeveloped” lands and peoples. Now it’s becoming the Asian, African, South American century. They’ve become the disciples of the Western religion of materialism – now also getting cars, big houses, wanting it all, wanting more stuff.

Where do we all put the poisonous end products of our “civilised” consumption?   Into the planet’s air, waterways, land and oceans.   As we poison our planet, we poison our own life support system.

There is an alternative lifestyle – an old-fashioned one – the CONSERVER SOCIETY. It is still practised by many indigenous peoples. We’d better learn from them – and fast!

December 1, 2012 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina themes | 1 Comment