Australia’s floods are the result of warmer seas
“Sea surface temperatures across the north and northwest had been the “highest on record by some margin, which is favourable for heavy rainfall, since August-September”….The current La Nina is forecast to last into autumn.
Warm seas fuelling deluges across nation Brendan O’Keefe The Australian *January 15, 2011 RECORD warm seas across the Top End and off the northwest coast of Western Australian have fuelled this week’s deluge, experts say. Continue reading
Solar power the answer for regional Western Australia
there is an opportunity to consider small-scale electricity generation from renewable sources for local consumption given that the ability to supply more electricity to the region is subject to capacity constraints and the high cost of upgrades to current infrastructure………..
Solar gives good electricity, Science Alert, 14 January 2011 A study by researchers from The University of Western Australia has confirmed the potential for Concentrated Solar Power to generate electricity for communities and mining interests across the Wheatbelt. Continue reading
Energy storage systems: the key to renewable energy’s success
These forms of electricity storage are all likely to be needed, and they should be considered in conjunction with the much higher levels of renewable energy that will be required to “decarbonise” the electricity supply, which experts say will be necessary if global targets to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2050, compared with 1990 levels, are to be met.
Electricity storage: holy grail of the renewables industry, FT.com, By Fiona Harvey, January 14 2011 Storing electricity reliably, safely and cheaply has long been the holy grail of the alternative energy industry. Continue reading
Nuclear power, an obsolete industry that is winding down
There are nine fewer nuclear power stations operating
worldwide today than there were in 2002. There are 33 fewer nuclear power stations in Europe now than there were in 1989. The US has not built one in 36 years and the Japanese have virtually stopped building them.
Nuclear industry has no future, Mr Barnett – The West Australian, by Scott Ludlam January 13th, 2011, Premier Colin Barnett said last month that nuclear power was a “proved and safe source of energy” …….. In reality, there is no global nuclear renaissance, and we should hope there never will be. Since the early 1980s, the industry has been sinking under the weight of the vast costs of this obsolete and risky technology. Continue reading
Young Australian comments on floods and climate change
But we need to start talking about what climate change actually looks like – and we don’t need to look much further than Queensland.
UK’s Green Investment Bank includes nuclear as “green”
Caroline Lucas, the Green party MP who sits on the committee, said: “Nuclear is not green in my view. But it’s not new in anyone’s mind. Funding nuclear makes a mockery of the whole idea of a Green Investment Bank
Green investment bank could help to build nuclear reactors The Conservatives’ pre-election manifesto promised that the bank would finance ‘new green technology start-ups’ Tim Webb * guardian.co.uk, 13 January 2011 The government’s Green Investment Bank could fund the building of new nuclear reactors, it has emerged. Continue reading
Pressure on Australia to sell uranium to India, and to disregard environmental issues in FTA
Australia may rethink its the ban [on uranium sales to India] in view of the powerful endorsement by leading members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, including the US, France and Russia,……The two sides have agreed to accept the feasibility report on the proposed FTA. India is understood to have persuaded Australia to to keep extraneous issues like environment, labour and government procurement out of ambit of the FTA.
Krishna to go to Australia, uranium sale, FTA on agenda, Sify News, New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) India will press Australia to review its ban on the sale of uranium to New Delhi and discuss the contours of a free trade area (FTA) pact when External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna goes to Melbourne on a two-day visit next week. Continue reading
Australia ratifies IRENA’s renewable energy Treaty
51 nations have ratified IRENA’s renewable energy Treaty. Australia did so on January 11 this year.
Clinton Lauds IRENA In Abu Dhabi, Renewable Energy News : by Energy Mattersm 24 Jan 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has applauded the efforts of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and their impact on addressing climate change, supporting sustainable technology, and combating “energy poverty” in the third world…. Continue reading
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) | Sierra Express Media, Freetown 13th January, 2011 – Continue reading
Britain has no funds, no plans, for disposing of its dead nuclear weapons submarines
The reports also reveal that there is “no funded plan” for the decommissioning of Britain’s 16 defunct nuclear submarines…..the need to make cost savings is being put ahead of the need to meet regulatory safety and environmental standards.”
Britain seeks Australia’s support for its Trident nuclear missile buildup
….He also defended Britain’s nuclear arsenal….Dr Fox said a strong partnership with Australia had to be based not on sentiment ”but hard-headed pragmatism”.
British defence chief visits to rebuild ties, The Age, Daniel Flitton, January 14, 2011 “….. major security talks in Australia. Dr Fox will join Foreign Secretary William Hague in Sydney next week Continue reading
28% drop in REA’s Ranger uranium output
Energy Resources Australia uranium output down 28% – MarketWatch, By David Fickling, SYDNEY 13 jan 2011, — Uranium oxide produced from Energy Resources of Australia Ltd.’s (ERA.AU) Ranger mine fell 28% on the year in 2010, dropping from 5,250 metric tons in 2009 to 3,793 tons, the company said Thursday.
Conflicts of interest may taint USA’s inquiry into nuclear power and cancer
Beyond Nuclear will be submitting comments on individual conflicts of interest and overall balance and appropriateness of disciplines
Provisional panel announced to examine the link between nuclear facilities and the cancer risk, Beyond Nuclear, 13 Jan 2011, The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Nuclear Radiation and Studies Board (NRSB) has announced the provisional membership for a panel to examine the cancer risks around NRC licensed nuclear facilities. This panel will not only examine nuclear power reactors, but ALL NRC licensed facilities including waste sites, uranium mines, etc. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 