How to lie about nuclear power funding and still sound “ethical”
In this month of focus on lies and secrets, we might ponder what Westpac Bank actually does mean when it promises to favour “clean” energy projects.
In the USA, the word “clean” is routinely applied to nuclear power. In China, even the word “renewable” is applied to nuclear power. We regularly hear of “green” nuclear power, along with other amazing lies like “cheap”.
Most (not all) of Australia’s “ethical” investments fund any uranium mining that is not specified as intended for nuclear weapons – in other words, they fund any uranium mining – and still call themselves “ethical”
Hypocrisy of Australian banks over finance for renewable energy
Most Australian banks are signed up to the Equator Principles for project finance……the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment….the equator principles are “pretty loose … they don’t compel banks to do or not do particular things”. At worst, they are a dangerous aid to bank greenwashing.
Banks under scrutiny over coal funding, Sydney Morning Herald, Paddy Manning, 2 Oct 10, Australian banks, highly dependent on offshore capital, will face increasing international scrutiny of their lending practices – particularly, their exposure to the coal industry. Continue reading
Radiation, environmental, causes of breast cancer
widely understood risk factors for breast cancer such as genetic mutations, reproductive history and lifestyle factors do not address a considerable portion of risk. “A substantial body of scientific evidence indicates that exposures to common chemicals and [ionising] radiation also contribute to the unacceptably high incidence of breast cancer,”
New Report Catalogues Chemical and Radiation Links to Breast Cancer, PR Newswire, 1 Oct 10, Scientists, health advocates call for national breast cancer prevention plan – A report released today by the Breast Cancer Fund presents a comprehensive summary of the scientific data on the environmental causes of breast cancer. Continue reading
A negative thought for Australian solar energy industry
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union is urging government incentives to promote Australian solar panel makers. Sounds good – BUT – as things stand now, such a plan would also indirectly promote the nuclear industry (ANSTO’s baby)
Call to foster local solar panel makers Ben Cubby, Sydney Morning Herald, October 2, 2010The main beneficiary of the union’s plan would be SilexSolar, a subsidiary of a nuclear energy research company, “……. which bought a photovoltaic manufacturing plant at Homebush from BP Solar last year, after BP decided to source its panels from China.The factory turns out less than 100 megawatts worth of panels a year, though that still makes it the largest in the southern hemisphere…” Call to foster Australian solar panel makers
A positive thought for Australian solar energy industry
”We have got a chance to get in at the start of a major new growth industry, and we have the smarts to make it work if the government signals that it will support local manufacturers.”
Call to foster local solar panel makers, Ben Cubby, Sydney Morning Herald, October 2, 2010 Australian solar panel makers are calling for industry protection to slow down a flood of cheap panels being manufactured in China, as the NSW government reviews its solar tariff scheme. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 