Even Australia’s newspaper The Age fell for deceptive pro nuclear spin
5 June 13. Today’s Age article by John Watson repeats the mudd;led story put out by the latest UNSCEAR press release – carrying the general message that Fukushim aradiation is not hurting anybody, and really, we should again look upon nuclear power as safe. – Japan’s radiation disaster toll: none dead, none sick http://www.theage.com.au/comment/japans-radiation-disaster-toll-none-dead-none-sick-20130604-2nomz.html#ixzz2VNXzK6Hl
I can only think that the author is, like all too many Australian journalists – somewhat illiterate about ionising radiation and its biological effects.
Top environment award for Top End Aboriginal leader
Australian Conservation Foundation, Dave Sweeney, 5 June 13, Australia’s largest National Park got bigger this year with the inclusion of the unique Koongarra region into the World Heritage listed Kakadu. This achievement – and the man who made it possible – ( Jeffrey Lee, at left, )has been acknowledged in the Australian Conservation Foundation 2013 Rawlinson Award
The Koongarra region is part of the estate of the Djok clan and has extremely high cultural and conservation values and properties. It includes the famous Nourlangie Rock (Burrunggui/Anbangbang) and is important in both the Rainbow Serpent and Lightning storylines.
The senior Traditional Owner Jeffrey Lee has spoken powerfully against uranium mining at Koongarra and consistently rejected pressure from a series of multi-national mining companies, most recently the French nuclear giant Areva, to mine a major uranium deposit on his country.
Uranium mining has long been a source of conflict in Kakadu with Traditional Owners leading campaigns against mining proposals at both Koongarra and Jabiluka. The industry continues to generate headlines and heartache in Kakadu with mining company Energy Resources of Australia currently seeking federal approval to develop a new underground uranium mine at its existing Ranger site.
At the 2010 federal election all major parties agreed to support Jeffrey’s call for Koongarra to be incorporated into Kakadu and in March 2013 Jeffrey Lee finally secured the long term protection of his country stating that it’s inclusion in Kakadu “will ensure that the traditional laws, customs, sites, bush tucker, trees, plants and water stay the same as when they were passed on to me by my father and grandfather”.
For years Jeffrey has patiently and persistently taken his message opposition to uranium mining and his efforts to permanently protect this area from the corridors of Canberra to UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
His tenacity and vision is a powerful reminder of the importance of country and culture and has provided a lasting legacy for all people and time. ACF is proud to acknowledge Jeffrey’s efforts with a special Rawlinson Award for his outstanding efforts to protect one of Australia’s most special places from the threat of one of Australia’s most contested industrial activities.
Media blitz on behalf of the nuclear industry – on “unwarranted fear” of radiation
Fukushima Radiation Risk Media Deception, Lynda Lovon Sassy musings on science, politics, and culture.3 June 13 Yet again, the nuclear power spin doctors are claiming that the only health risk from ionizing radiation is the stress caused by an irrational fear of the risk. Two scientific reports came out this week that predict no health risks or effects from the ionizing radiation released by the Fukushima nuclear accident and the corporate nuclear gangsters driving the media blitz bandwagon have been having a field day with it.
During a recent UN meeting on atomic radiation, UNSCEAR released a preliminary assessment of their research on the heath and cancer risk in Japan due to the Fukushima accident, and surprise, what they have found is that there is no risk. According to their press release
“Radiation exposure following the nuclear accident at Fukushima-Daiichi did not cause any immediate health effects. It is unlikely to be able to attribute any health effects in the future among the general public and the vast majority of workers,” concluded the 60 th session of the Vienna-based United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR).
It didn’t take long for World Nuclear News, the megaphone of the nuclear biz to blitz the good news.
“The most extensive international report to date has concluded that the only observable health effects from the Fukushima accident stem from the stresses of evacuation and unwarranted fear of radiation.”….. .http://lyndalovon.blogspot.de/2013/06/fukushima-radiation-risk-media-deception.html
Fear and loathing on King Island – at the thought of a feasibility study for wind energy
The council, as a body, is supporting the “yes to feasibility” vote.
Fear over turbines rift http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/06/05/380797_tasmania-news.html HELEN KEMPTON | June 05, 2013 THE prospect of King Island being more widely known for its 200-plus wind turbines rather than the beef and cheese it produces has caused a major rift in the community. Mayor Greg Barratt said the debate about the massive $2 billion TasWind proposal had become very nasty and split up families and groups of friends.
When the project was first announced, there was much excitement on the Bass Strait island.
The island’s second biggest employer, the JBS Swift abattoir, had closed just months earlier and about 100 jobs had been lost. Many of
those workers were quick to leave the island in search of employment and beef farmers had to work out how they were going to get their
cattle off an island with just one weekly ship service.
But the wind project, which at first had buoyed the community’s hopes that a new economic future could be on the horizon, has now split a
tight-knit community which always pulled together through tough times. Cr Barratt fears the wind farm debate could end up as divisive as the Franklin Dam dispute which fragmented the West Coast community in the 1980s. Continue reading
Thyroid cancer suspected or confirmed in 27 Fukushima children
Kyodo: 27 Fukushima minors with confirmed or suspected thyroid cancer — Almost tripled since last report in February http://enenews.com/kyodo-27-fukushima-minors-with-confirmed-or-suspected-thyroid-cancer-almost-tripled-since-last-report-in-february
Title: Fukushima survey lists 12 confirmed, 15 suspected thyroid cancer cases
Source: Kyodo News
Date: June 5, 2013
An ongoing study on the impact of radiation on Fukushima residents from the crippled atomic power plant has found 12 minors with confirmed thyroid cancer diagnoses, up from three in a report in February, with 15 others suspected to have cancer, up from seven, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. […]
Researchers at Fukushima Medical University, which has been taking the leading role in the study, have so far said they do not believe that the most recent cases are related to the nuclear crisis. They point out that thyroid cancer cases were not found among children hit by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident until four to five years later. […] Watch OPTV’s broadcast on Fukushima thyroid testing here
Warren Buffett and MidAmerican scrap nuclear power plans, and go for wind turbines
Warren Buffett Shelves Plans To Build A Nuclear Plant ROB WILE MidAmerican Energy utility developer is shelving plans to build a nuclear plant in Iowa, the Des Moines register’s Perry Beeman and William Petroski report. http://au.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-just-shelved-plans-to-build-a-nuclear-plant-2013-6
MidAmerican decides against Iowa nuclear plant, DesMoines Register 3 June 13 MidAmerican Energy says design plan isn’t approved; environmentalists celebrate MidAmerican Energy has scrapped plans for Iowa’s second nuclear plant and will refund $8.8 million ratepayers paid for a now-finished feasibility study, utility officials said Monday.
The utility has decided against building any major power plant. ….. “We opted for what was in the best interest of our customers,” MidAmerican vice president for regulatory affairs Dean Crist told The Des Moines Register… MidAmerican will focus on its plan to build up to 656 wind turbines in a $1.9 billion project across Iowa, which also will trim power bills by saving fuel costs….
Australia and India strengthening defence ties
Indian Defence Minister Arrives In Australia, In Serbia, By Koushik Das 5 June 13 Indian Defence Minister A K Antony Arrived In Perth As A Part Of His Ongoing Three-Nation Tour Of Singapore, Australia And Thailand. The Indian Government Said In A Statement That The Main Objective Of Antony’s Visit Is To Strengthen The Country’s Defence Ties With The Asia Pacific Region.
Upon his arrival in the Australian city, the Indian minister held a meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith to discuss a number of important bilateral and international issues. Without divulging details of the meeting, New Delhi said that Antony would hold another round of meeting with Smith in Canberra later on Tuesday……
The Stockholm-based International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently said that India, Pakistan and China – the three major nuclear powers in Asia – had strengthened their nuclear arsenals in 2012.
In its latest report, the institute said that while China now has 250 nuclear warheads as compared to 240 in 2012, Pakistan has around 120 and India 110. Expressing deep concern over the arms race in the region, SIPRI said:
While states have avoided direct conflict with each other and have stopped supporting insurgent movements on each other’s territory, decades-old suspicions linger and economic integration has not been followed up with political integration.”
According to SIPRI officials, the troubled bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, China and Japan, and South Korea and North Korea encouraged the arms race in Asia.
“Once again there was little to inspire hope that the nuclear weapon-possessing states are genuinely willing to give up their nuclear arsenals. The long-term modernisation programmes underway in these states suggest that nuclear weapons are still a marker of international status and power,” insisted senior SIPRI researcher Shannon Kile. http://inserbia.info/news/2013/06/indian-defence-minister-arrives-in-australia/
Victorian government decides that climate change is a low priority
THE Victorian Government has abandoned key agricultural climate change programs. Weekly Times, 5 June 13 It comes as environment groups this week claimed rural communities were being left to “fend for themselves”. Opposition water spokesman John Lenders criticised the move. ”If Peter Walsh thinks that providing farmers with vital drought support packages is purely a climate-related matter he is living in a fantasy land.
“Labor’s $205 million Future Farming Strategy focusing around research and development initiatives was cut back to $60 million by the Napthine Government in 2012 and attempted to dress it up as a boost……Victorian Budget papers reveal a significant cut in climate change work and a continued withdrawal from the Brumby Government’s $205m Future Farms Strategy.
The Budget papers say the lower 2013-14 target “reflects the refocusing of Department of Environment and Primary Industries into higher priorities”……
“Since being elected, they have abolished nearly all state climate programs,” Mr Wakeham said.
“Deciding not to talk about or develop policy on climate change unfortunately won’t make it go away as we’re set to learn the hard way.”
The Climate Commission recently said Victoria had entered a critical decade in the race to adapt to the stresses of climate change.
Professor Tim Flannery said Victoria was very vulnerable to large swings in climate.
Meanwhile, 13 DEPI bio scientists have been made redundant. The cuts were flagged in March but the Community and Public Sector Union said staff were told last week…..http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/06/05/572284_politics-news.html
Wolfgang Weiss, the nuclear boss who whitewashes the Fukushima radiation danger
Fukushima Radiation Risk Media Deception, Lynda Lovon Sassy musings on science, politics, and culture.3 June 13“……..Huffington post carried a Reuters story No Rise In Cancer Seen From Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, UN Says in which they quote a senior member of the committee, Dr.Wolfgang Weiss:
“Weiss, who chairs work on UNSCEAR’s Fukushima report, told reporters that dose levels were “so low that we don’t expect to see any increase in cancer in the future in the population”.”
But who is this Weiss Guy? Who is UNSCEAR and why should I believe what they report? UNSCEAR is subservient to the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the global pimp of nuclear power. UNSCEAR, which I like to pronounce “unscare” as it seems that their main purpose is to dispel any concerns about nuclear radiation, are not an autonomous independent agency. Not only is UNSCEAR loaded with scientists in the nuclear industry, every report must be approved by the IAEA. UNSCEAR was strongly criticized by the international scientific community a few years ago with its assessment of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident in which they claimed only 31 people died as a result of radiation. For more information on that coverup, read my blog about it here.
Who is this Weiss guy? Wolfgang Weiss is a boss on Euratom which, according to Wikipedia is an international organisation founded in 1958 with the purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe, developing nuclear energy and distributing it to its member states while selling the surplus to non-member states. Weiss is in the business of promoting nuclear power! Do you trust his opinion on the health effects or consequences of ionizing radiation and nuclear accidents?
More importantly, why didn’t Reuters or Huff Post point this out? They have access to google too. It is unethical and irresponsible for the media to not expose the bias and conflict of interest with these nuclear agencies and agents. It is irresponsible for the media to perpetuate the lie and illusion of neutrality of scientists. But it doesn’t end there……… http://lyndalovon.blogspot.de/2013/06/fukushima-radiation-risk-media-deception.html
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 