‘Regulatory Capture’ and ‘Objectivity’ – important words
First – a new term –‘ Regulatory Capture‘ – came up this week, in the documentary “Inside Job”. Here, it was used to show how Wall Street executives got their agenda into financial regulations, and into University courses on Economics.
Well, the same must be said about the nuclear industry. Nuclear physicists and nuclear company men manage the rules, and pronounce on matters nuclear.This is Regulatory Capture. (It’s about as impartial as expecting the Pope and Cardinals to decide whether or not God and the saints exist.)
Second – ‘Objectivity‘. This is a very worthy word, used by a top BBC executive recently to explain the BBC’s approach to current issues. It means that they weigh up opinions, and decide to focus on the ones with credible evidence.
If only Australia’s ABC and media had that focus. Instead, we get ‘Balance” – meaning that however crackpot and minority a view may be, it must get equal coverage with the opposing scientifically credible view.
Perhaps this is one cause of Australians’ lamentable lack of understanding on the issue of climate change – as our media makes sure to give plenty of coverage to the likes of Lord Monckton and Ian Plimer – Christina Macpherson
Australia’s strange rejection of science, on Climate Change
Australia is missing out on a boom in the growth industries of the 21st century. Early adopters of new energy technology have prospered. …….. Globally, renewable energy has attracted more investment than fossil fuels three years in a row……..
Australia lags as the rest of the world acts, The Age, March 29, 2011 GEOGRAPHY has always isolated Australia. Rarely, though, is the effect so obvious as it is in the debate on climate change. Globally, the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions is widely accepted. Visitors to Australia are surprised to find that not only is the effect of emissions in dispute, but even scientific records of climate trends. Continue reading
Partial meltdown at Fukushima causes dangerous radiation level
the worker who made the measurement, carried out on a pool of water in the reactor’s basement turbine building, had fled before taking a second reading.
Deadly nuclear levels detected, The Age, OsakaMarch 29, 2011 RADIATION levels that can prove fatal were detected outside reactor buildings at Japan’s Fukushima No.1 plant for the first time, complicating efforts to contain the worst disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. Continue reading
Australian government advises on radiation exposure
Gov’t issues radiation advise in lieu of nuclear accidents in Japan , Business and HealthBy Alyangka Francheska | March 28, 2011 The Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) has issued the following advice on exposure to radiation arising from nuclear incidents in Japan, Continue reading
Plutonium in grounds of Fukushima nuclear plant
3 types of plutonium detected at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant CNN.com 29 March 11, Three types of plutonium have turned up amid the radioactive contamination on the grounds of the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, its owner reported Monday.The plutonium is a byproduct of nuclear reactions that is also part of the fuel mix at the damaged No. 3 reactor.It was found in soil at five different points inside the plant grounds, the Tokyo Electric Power Company said late Monday…..3 types of plutonium detected at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs
Canadian company to transport uranium through W.A.
The transport risk study will be conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation…..The public comment period on the Cameco environmental scoping document closes on April 11
Cameco’s long uranium trek through WA | Perth Now, Nick Evans, March 28, 2011 CAMECO Corporation has pushed on with its plans to seek environmental approval for its WA uranium mine, despite turmoil on the international uranium stage after the recent disaster in Japan.The company released its environmental scoping document today, calling for public submissions on its plans to gain environmental approval for the proposed uranium mine, southeast of Port Hedland…… Continue reading
Future demand for uranium weakening
(Canada) Uranium stocks slide on renewed radiation fears – The Globe and 
Mail, 29 March 11, Shares of Canadian uranium producers slipped Monday, as uneasy investors worried about efforts to control radiation from the earthquake-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.“The news from Fukushima over the weekend was not encouraging,” said Salman Partners senior analyst Raymond Goldie.
“… people are looking at weakened demand for uranium in the future…….
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 