Media under scrutiny – the need for vigilance
Christina Macpherson 5 Jan 2010 I was quite shocked at what happened in Australia over 2009, in the mainstream media’s coverage of Climate Change. Probably because of Australia’s peculiar media monopoly situation, it was easy for the anti-scientific point of view of the fossil fuel lobby to prevail.
The fossil fuel lobby’s extraordinary success was in creating an opinion climate of doubt and confusion about global warming.
This is a warning sign for Australia’s future. Thank goodness, we have the Internet, and many fine independent media and blog-sites. Australia’s younger generation has had a better science education, and they have access to independent media, as well as to the mainstream media, (which still does provide good scientific information, along with the anti-intellectual rubbish of the likes of Ian Plimer.)
Review of the nuclear year that has been
Review of the nuclear year that has been Christina Macpherson 5 January 2010
Australia: An extraordinary year in which Climate Sceptics were allowed to dominate much of the media, turning Australia into a curious outpost of anti-science. Pro-nuclear hype revved up, too – sometimes promoted as cure for global warming, but, inexplicably, also promoted by climate change disbelievers.
BHP Billiton put out huge but inadequate Environmental Impact Statement for its planned Olympic Dam expansion. Uranium explorations all over the place, especially in South Australia, as govt and mining industry try to manipulate aboriginal owners. Awareness of radiation effects at last leads to Maralinga veterans’ legal bid for justice.
International: While the nuclear hype went on, the facts were otherwise. France’s “flagship” new nukes are still struggling, under construction, and ramping up huge debts to AREVA. UK and USA governments struggle with the reality that only the tax-payer can pay the costs of nuclear power. State-owned nuclear industry – e.g France, Russia, China are not troubled by having to reveal the costs.
USA in a turmoil over where to put nuclear wastes, as Yucca Mountain dump plan is dumped. Revelations of illegal waste-dumping by UK and European countries were quickly glossed over in mainstream media. China is secretive about its nuke wastes, in earthquake areas, and imprisons nuclear dissidents.
The world waits for a resolution of Iran and its nukes, with fear of attack on Iran by Israel or the USA.. Middle Eastern countries seek nuclear power “for peaceful purposes only”, while India revs up its nuke power and nuke weapons, and everyone eyes Pakistan with trepidation.
Quietly, the anti-nuclear and anti-uranium movements built up momentum, along with strengthening indigenous rights movement, and a strong presence at Copenhagen. Impediments occur to the growth of the nuclear industry, including for example, quite a few legal victories in USA.
Climate protestors released, but still face charges
Two climate prisoners released but still facing charges
Sydney Indymedia 05 Jan 2010
By takver Climate activists Australian Natasha Verco and American citizen Noah Weiss were released from a Copenhagen prison but are still facing charges of attempted assault of a police officer and planning to disturb public order. Continue reading
Australian climate activist gaoled in Copenhagen
Australian climate activist detained three weeks in Copenhagen gaol
Danish authorities detained an Australian, Natasha Verco, for over three weekd since the Copenhagen climate conference. She was detained in the Vestre Faengsel prison, to appear in court in Copenhagen on Monday January 4th 2010. Continue reading
1 This month
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