Antinuclear

Notes on Australian nuclear, climate news this week

Senate motion;  the indefatigable Senator Ludlam brings a motion (14 November) in Parliament to call on the government to assess the situation  (removal of nuclear fuel rods from Unit 4) at Fukushima, and evaluate, advise the Senate on the risks and radioactive pollution of the Pacific Ocean.

Radioactive trash. Warning to Western Australia on chance of it being selected, if Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan falls through. WA is the only state with a dedicated low-level nuclear waste storage facility. The trash is not medical, as the government would have us believe, but wastes from the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor. (and perhaps the precursor to importing other countries’ radioactive trash)

Uranium. As USA’s nuclear power plants shut down, falling like ninepins, Australia’s uranium mines look like following the trend.  The Ranger mine in the Northern territory is closed. Now the Honeymoon mine in South Australia is closing. Uranium explorers are getting nervous. Thundelarra sells its Hayes Creek uranium asset 

Climate change:  the Australian government snubbed the United Nations climate change talks in Warsaw, by for the first time in 16 years, not sending  a Minister there.  Meanwhile Tony Abbott talked with Alan Jones on radio, repeating misconceptions about wind energy, and renewable energy in general. Abbott begins the new Parliament with a determination to remove carbon pricing.

Australia refuses to join  new UN Green Climate Fund  that is set up to help poor countries deal with climate change. World Meteorological Association declares 2013 to be becoming the seventh hottest year  on record, and singles out Australia as a country most affected.

November 13, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews