ABC Radio National again provides a platform for the nuclear lobby
Just a few months ago, in ABC Radio National’s “Ockham’s Razor” program, Robin Williams interviewed the Australia Nuclear Forum’s Terry Krieg. Yesterday, 15/1/ 12, Krieg was back on the program – this time with a more subtle approach to his pro nuclear propaganda. So , I thought it timely to draw attention to Krieg’s previous ABC performance, analysed in the article below. Perhaps it’s time that “Ockham’s Razor” gave right of return to the other point of view? – Christina Macpherson
Nuclear industry infiltrates ABC to push for an atomic Australia, Independent Australia, 10 Sep 2011, The nuclear industry is using increasingly subtle methods to promote the development of a nuclear power and radioactive waste disposal industry in Australia. Noel Wauchope reports .
“……..There was, as there always seems to be, some “astroturfing” going on. A bit of research on the Net and we soon discover that Mr Krieg is a spokesperson for the Australian Nuclear Forum. This is an organisation dedicated, it says, to “advancing peaceful aspects of nuclear science and technology”. With that aim, the ANF provides “policy papers and information papers for schools”. Its members are “professionals with wide collective experience in nuclear science and technology”. In other words, it is a false grassroots nuclear industry lobby group.
Now, I really do think that the presenter, Robin Williams, should have told us that. But perhaps he didn’t know. It is in the interests of nuclear astroturfers to not have people know that the information they present, far from being unvarnished, comes straight from the nuclear industry itself.
Secondly, Mr Krieg came out with what the nuclear lobby has been secretly planning for Australia — that is, to establish the full nuclear cycle in this country, including storing radioactive wastes……
Krieg, rather surprisingly, loses some scientific credibility right at the start, as he reveals himself as a climate-change denier. He moves on to state that pursuing renewable energy is unwise, saying that USA energy experts in the ’80s have been proved right in writing off solar energy…… Krieg dismisses any problem of radiation from Fukushima:….
He claims that nuclear power is “emission free”. Yes, emission-free if only you don’t count the nuclear fuel cycle’s “front end” uranium mining, milling, transport and its “back end”…
Krieg has spelled out what Australia’s nuclear mandarins have been quietly planning for some time, as has been reported in this journal. Not a word, not a worry, about environmental impacts, water supply and water contamination, costs of security and permanent waste disposal, risks of terrorism. It is no mere pipedream. …. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/media-2/nuclear-industry-infiltrates-abc-to-push-for-an-atomic-australia/
Killings of Iran’s scientists – an ethical test for Australia
these killings pose an ethical test for Australians too.
It’s easy to condemn terrorism when it’s carried out by official enemies. You don’t need much moral courage to stand up against Emmanuel Goldstein.
But Israel and the US are key allies of Australia, and, on almost every issue of import, our government marches in lockstep with theirs.
Killing Iranian scientists: when terrorism isn’t terrorism The Drum, JEFF SPARROW, 16 Jan 12, Actions are held to be good or bad, not on their own merits, but according to who does them, and there is almost no kind of outrage – torture, the use of hostages, forced labour, mass deportations, imprisonment without trial, forgery, assassination, the bombing of civilians – which does not change its moral colour when it is committed by ‘our’ side…
George Orwell might have been describing almost exactly the Western response to the murder spree currently underway in Iran. Continue reading
International Renewable Energy – a solution to many world problems
Renewable energy can tackle poverty — UN Official highlights group’s role in promoting alternative sources at assembly meeting held in Abu Dhabi Gulf News, By Binsal Abdul Kader, January 15, 2012 Abu Dhabi: The United Nations has taken a new initiative to promote renewable energy, considering its potential to alleviate poverty across the world, according to a top UN official. The UN declared 2012 the ‘International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, has also taken an initiative in the same direction, said Sha Zukang, under-secretary general of the UN.
He was addressing the first day of the second Assembly of International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) in Abu Dhabi yesterday. About 137 countries, the European Union and 57 organisations are attending the two-day assembly which is to end today. Zukang was referring to the fact that access to energy can alleviate poverty as it improves living standards of impoverished masses.
Zukang said the world was facing an interlinked crisis involving economic, social and environmental issues. He emphasised the role of Irena to promote renewable energy across the world and to address several problems. Zukang said one solution should solve multiple problems….. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 