Australia becoming an international pariah of science denialism?
Australian Environmental Politics in Denial http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/46514 Daniel Yeow, Worldwatch Institute, October 7, 2013 We interpret everything according to our own experiences. With that in mind, it would seem somewhat surprising that in Australia, of all places, a startlingly high number of people still deny climate change. Most Australians do believe in it, but in a country that no longer has a science minister, the newly-elected conservative government is populated by “leaders” who believe that it is some kind of conspiracy.The media that the average Australian consumes is overwhelmingly populated by sources which are owned by people of a highly conservative and libertarian belief. Libertarianism—the belief that people should be free to do as they wish so long as they do not impinge on the freedom of others, is a decidedly human-centric philosophy and as such, large-scale environmental problems are generally not well-handled. In the minds of people like Rupert Murdoch, among others, environmental regulations are an unnecessary burden on people’s freedom, and even if you don’t really believe that, if that’s what you read in the newspaper every day, then that’s what you will be led to believe. Continue reading
Australian Council of trade Unions warns government against Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan
ACTU against nuke tip http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/actu-against-nuke-tip/story-fn59noo3-1226734351992#sthash.sbragkQn.dpuf JOE KELLY OCTOBER 08, 2013 THE ACTU has warned the Coalition against proceeding with a nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory. The move comes as green groups expressed concern the development of a new business case for the facility could see Australia become a radioactive tip for the rest of the world.Scientists dismiss Tepco’s “silly reassuring claims about Fukushima radiation
“Once strontium gets into fish, it stays in them for months and years and it’s going to be an additional reason why they won’t be able to open up their fisheries.”
“The credibility problem is as great as the engineering solution,”
Scientists dismiss claims that radiation in Japan is contained TEPCO’S radiation claims called ‘silly’ The Columbian, By Jonathan Tirone, Bloomberg News October 7, 2013, VIENNA — Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s claim that radioactive water leaking into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant is confined to the coast doesn’t make scientific sense, according to a U.S. researcher who surveyed waters off the site last month.
Japan’s government has supported the utility’s statement that the irradiated groundwater flowing into the Pacific Ocean at a rate of some 400 tons a day remains in an area of 0.3 square kilometers (0.12 square miles) within the bay fronting the atomic station. Continue reading
Health effects of Fukushima nuclear disaster: “The nuclear industry tries to suppress the truth
International Scientists: Japan experts must be allowed to report health consequences of Fukushima — “The official data is all denial” — Pressured to downplay true impact of disaster http://enenews.com/international-scientists-japan-experts-must-be-allowed-to-report-health-consequences-of-fukushima-the-official-data-is-all-denial-pressured-to-downplay-true-impact-of-disaster October 6th, 2013
Georgia Straight (Canada), Oct. 2, 2013: “The official data is all denial,” [Eiichiro Ochiai, a retired chemistry professor in Vancouver who taught at University of British Columbia and the University of Tokyo] said. “The nuclear industry tries to suppress the truth.”
Fukushima News 10/1/13: Thousands in Japan Suffering Massive And Recurring Nosebleeds In Recent Days
Letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon from 17 international scientists and experts urging international action on Fukushima crisis, Sept. 13, 2013: […] it is clear that the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi reactor site is progressively deteriorating, not stabilizing. […] It is clear now that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is far from over, and that there can be no credible estimate of total environmental or human health impacts because the radiological release has not ceased and the outcomes from exposing large populations to low doses over long time frames is unclear. A final estimation of the radiological release from the Fukushima Daiichi site, of necessity lies in the future; perhaps the distant future. […] Japanese physicians and scientists in Japan must be allowed and supported to treat and report Fukushima related health consequences. Nuclear calamities to date result in institutional pressure to under report and even distort patient health data and other evidence […] Such institutional pressure is now contributing to a downplaying of the true impact of the Fukushima accident.
Dr Helen Caldicott responds to claims of Robert Stone and “Pandora’s Promise”
Nuclear power no answer to climate change The Age, October 7, 2013 Helen Caldicott Advocating nuclear power as an answer to global warming is analogous to prescribing smoking for weight loss.
Nuclear reactors do not stand alone but rely on a massive industrial infrastructure using fossil fuel and other global warming gases.
Renewable energy that is readily available, cheaper than nuclear and coal, and can rapidly avert global warming must be immediately implemented by global governments.
Robert Stone is rightly concerned about global warming (The Age, October 4) so I refer him to an excellent study, Carbon Free Nuclear Free http://www.ieer.org/carbonfree/ demonstrating that the US could achieve this by about 2030.
Let’s examine the Fukushima disaster – Australia’s uranium fuelled the reactors. Continue reading
Tribunal awards war widow pension regarding veteran harmed by Monte Bello nuclear radiation
A decision this month by the Veterans’ Appeals division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal upheld the finding that Mr Prior’s death was linked to his work with the British Nuclear Test Defence Service.
Relying on 57-year-old log books of Operation Mosaic – the code name given to the atomic weapons testing at the Monte Bello islands – as well as a witness account of the explosion and design points of the aircraft, the tribunal found Mr Prior would have suffered contamination.
The tribunal heard Mr Prior suffered from a very rare skin condition that could have been caused by ionising radiation.
Specialists said the itching and pain could be so severe as to lead to depression and suicidal thoughts, with itching permeating every aspect of live, including sleeping.
The court found “there was a connection between Mr Prior’s exposure to ionising radiation and his skin condition which caused chronic pain” and upheld the decision to award the pension.
Wife of veteran involved in Monte Bello Island nuclear test wins war widow pension JESSICA MARSZALEK NEWS LIMITED NETWORK OCTOBER 07, 2013 http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/wife-of-veteran-involved-in-monte-bello-island-nuclear-test-wins-war-widow-pension/story-fnihslxi-1226734294281A VETERAN’S wife has won a 10-year fight for the war widow’s pension after she successfully argued her husband committed suicide because of his involvement in atomic bomb testing in Australia.
The retired Air Commodore, who was stationed at Richmond in NSW and served in Vietnam, was 67 years old when he died in October 2001 – a death deemed not to attract the $840 fortnightly war widow payment. Continue reading
Influential Aboriginal leaders have doubts about Warren Mundine and the new Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC)
The establishment of the IAC, two thirds of which is directly aligned with the uranium industry, does not bode well for advancing a mature conversation around and action on the problems of Aboriginal disadvantage. At the very least there should be a diversity of communities and a diversity of views represented.
A lode of real action http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=15551 By Kado Muir, Mitch . and Peter Watts – 7 October 2013 This article was first published in the Koori Mail As the dust starts to settle and Australia reflects on the outcomes of the recent federal election, many Aboriginal people have growing concerns over Tony Abbott’s new Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) and the agenda behind its plans for real action for Indigenous Australians. Continue reading
Abbott govt accelerates sale of uranium to India, as India fires another nuclear-capable missile
India, Australia to hold third round of nuclear talks IANS | http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-australia-to-hold-third-round-of-nuclear-talks/427039-3.html?utm_source=ref_article Oct 07, 2013 New Delhi: India and Australia, under the new dispensation of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, are hoping to hold a third round of talks on nuclear cooperation in December this year, said a top official on Monday. Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry Ashok K Kantha said Abbott has “made positive comments about the need for expediting, accelerating negotiations between India and Australia on nuclear cooperation”.
“We already have held two rounds of negotiations, and we are hoping to hold a third round of negotiations if possible in December this year. 
We have not yet firmed up the dates. But I believe there is a strong desire on both sides to try and bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion at an early date,” said Kantha at a briefing in New Delhi.
India test fires nuclear capable missile from Odisha Tribune, By Web Desk October 7, 2013 ODISHA: India test-fired a nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range at Chandipur, Odisha on Monday, Express News reported……The Prithvi II missile was inducted into India’s Strategic Forces Command in 2003 and is the first missile developed by DRDO under India’s IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
The missile is capable of carrying 500 to 1000 kilograms of warheads according to The Hindu.
On September 14, India successfully test-fired for a nuclear-capable missile that can reach Beijing and much of Europe. http://tribune.com.pk/story/614650/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-missile-from-odisha/
Christine Milne is right: Martin Ferguson’s new job a mockery of code of conduct
The code says: “Persons who, after 6 December 2007, retire from office as a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary, shall not, for a period of 18 months after they cease to hold office, engage in lobbying activities relating to any matter that they had official dealings with in their last 18 months in office”.
Greens’ claims over Ferguson lobbying are in the ballpark ABC News Fact Check 8 Oct 13
- The claim: Christine Milne says former resources minister Martin Ferguson’s new jobs make a mockery of the lobbying code of conduct.
- The verdict: By taking up the appointment within the cooling off period it can be argued that Mr Ferguson has made a mockery of the intent and spirit of the code.
- “……..Mr Ferguson’s new roles, six months after he resigned from federal cabinet in March, made a mockery of the ministerial code of conduct, Senator Milne said.”Martin Ferguson’s appointment as group executive of natural resources for Seven Group Holdings and as chair to a petroleum industry advisory board makes a mockery of the code of conduct which prevents former ministers engaging in lobbying activities relating to any matter that they had official dealings in,” she said.
The new jobs
Mr Ferguson accepted a role as chairman of an advisory board of the gas and oil industry’s peak body, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association.
The association’s website acknowledges its status as a lobby group, Continue reading
Shadowing becoming a legal issue, in Melbourne’s solar rooftop boom
The Clean Energy Council said it was the perfect time for new laws to be introduced so new buildings did not hamper the energy efficiency of their neighbours.
Solar review casts shadow on high-rises http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/solar-review-casts-shadow-on-highrises-20131007-2v4bs.html October 8, 2013 Aisha Dow Developers may be prevented from building high-rises that block sunlight from hitting solar panels on buildings in central Melbourne, under new rules being considered by the state government.
The Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure is reviewing planning and building provisions that affect solar panel placement and overshadowing. A department spokesman said the review would decide whether there is need for reform, with any changes to be part of the new Metropolitan Planning Strategy.
The move comes as a new study shows Melbourne’s inner-city rooftops could host enough solar panels to power 10,000 houses.They found that even if only 20 per cent of roof space was covered by panels it would be enough to host the equivalent of 100 large solar parks.
Councillor and sustainable business expert Arron Wood said the figure would be much higher if they had also audited high-rise towers and business and apartment buildings in the central city. But concerns about the sun being blocked by new construction in the CBD led the council to limit its scoping study. Cr Wood said there needed to be stronger government policy on the shadowing of solar panels.
”It’s also another reason why we should stick to the mandatory building height limits, and that’s something we have considered,” he said.
Last year a proposal to build two double-storey houses in Kensington was rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after a neighbour complained the structure would partially eclipse his rooftop panels. VCAT called for clearer guidelines for determining acceptable levels of overshadowing. Continue reading
Local Councils and ratepayers may be interested in contributing to Climate Council
Ratepayers may pay for Tim Flannery Climate Council JOHN MASANAUSKAS HERALD SUN OCTOBER 08, 2013 COUNCILS may volunteer their ratepayers’ money to help prop up a climate advisory group axed by the Abbott Government.Some local councils are considering whether to donate to the new Climate Council, led by controversial scientist Professor Tim Flannery.
Prof Flannery was formerly in charge of the federal Climate Commission, which was relaunched as the Climate Council after the new Government abolished it. The Council is being funded through public donations; about $1 million has been raised so far.
The inner city Yarra Council will vote on Tuesday night on a motion to donate funds and join the Climate Council as a “founding friend”.Greens councillor Amanda Stone, who is putting the motion, said it would be up to councillors to decide if and how much to donate.
“Given that Yarra Council is a leader in addressing climate change at the local level it’s highly appropriate that we express support in a symbolic perhaps more than in a very concrete way,” she said. “I wouldn’t imagine it would be a huge amount.”…….
Cr Stone said she understood that a similar motion to go before Moreland Council had suggested a $1000 donation.
“Given that the vast majority of climate scientists are agreed on the science and the implications for people on this planet, it’s absolutely vital that there’s an independent source of accurate information there for people to access,” she said.
Cr Stone said she was confident Yarra ratepayers would support the gesture as there was strong support for the council’s policies on sustainability and climate change……….Yarra claims to be the first Victorian council to achieve carbon neutrality. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ratepayers-may-pay-for-tim-flannery-climate-council/story-fni0fiyv-1226734337554
Carindale, Brisbane hosts Green Heart Fair October 13
Green Heart Fair 2013 sets up at Carindale SMH, October 7, 2013 – Natalie Fortuna The Green Heart Fair makes a return to Carindale on October 13, in a bid to make Brisbane Australia’s cleanest city. In what promises to be a fun and informative family-friendly day out, representatives from more than 40 leading sustainability organisations will promote clean living solutions while various entertainment groups perform throughout the day.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says the event is about highlighting and exploring sustainable living options within the community.
“I want Brisbane to be Australia’s cleanest, greenest city and events like the Green Heart Fair highlight how making just a few small changes can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle and help reduce the cost of living,” Cr Quirk said.
A Council Spokesperson said the semi-annual Green Heart Fair, which has been running in various formats since 2009, is a part of the Brisbane City Council’s wider Green Heart Events program…….
It has free entry and will be held on October 13, at the Carindale Recreation Reserve, Cadogan Street and Bedivere Street, Carindale.
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 