South Australia’s agriculture in danger from nuclear developments
Former agricultural scientist Phillipa Rowland shares her concerns about nuclear energy in South Australia http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-25/phillipa-rowland-nuclear-commission/6494138 ABC Rural |Clint Jasper Phillipa Rowland points out that even though nuclear accidents occur infrequently, the consequences are enormous, and this risk pattern must be factored into the debate about South Australia’s long term energy mix.
AUDIO: Aboriginal concerns over South Australia’s plans to store nuclear wastes
Karina Lester from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands explains her community’s concern about nuclear waste dumps. ABC Rural Clint Jasper, 25 May 15 Karina Lester is concerned people living in remote communities like the APY lands won’t have the same voice in the debate about South Australia’s long term energy mix. She’s also concerned about the likelihood of nuclear waste storage facilities being built in remote outback locations.
Australia’s Aboriginals again threatened by nuclear radiation
Nuclear-hit Aborigines again in radiation danger https://linksunten.indymedia.org/de/node/144304 Verfasst von: Diet Simon, sourcing from beyond nuclear news roundup (Account: Nuclear Worrier). Verfasst am: 25.05.2015
Darren Farmer, a burly middle-aged Martu tribal man, told VICE online magazine that “the Martu people do not want this uranium mine. Everybody has said no.” But that hasn’t stopped the federal environment minister Greg Hunt from givingKintyre the green light.
The VICE article explains how poverty prompts some Martu to agree to mining on their country and how Darren Farmer and others are physically assaulted for opposing it.
Meanwhile four decades after test explosions of atom bombs in the Maralinga desert area of South Australia, which killed and maimed Aboriginal people, Indigenous people face barriers as they try to contribute to a parliamentary inquiry whether the state should start a nuclear fuel cycle industry.
A requirement for all submissions to be sworn in front of a justice of the peace makes it particularly difficult for Aboriginal people, people from remote areas and those with language issues to present their views.
The former Governor [Queen Elizabeth’s representative] of South Australia, Kevin Scarce, who heads the inquiry, is to inspect the Fukushima region of Japan,ravaged by nuclear reactor explosions.
One of the things the inquiry will consider is the storage of nuclear waste from other countries. The federal government is currently looking for a site to dump six cubic metres of nuclear waste that must return to Australia from France for processing this year.
The federal government had previously targeted Aboriginal-owned sites in the Northern Territory, including Muckaty Station, where agreements with Aboriginal governance fell through or stalled. Aboriginal women’s resistance also stopped a 2003 plan by the federal government to dump nuclear waste in South Australia.
The French state-owned nuclear giant Areva is offering to sell its ‘world leading’ nuclear technology to South Australia. “The offer is being reported in the South Australian media without a hint of irony,” comments leading anti-nuclear Australian activist, Jim Green. “A reality check is in order.”
Two former Australian prime ministers, one each from the Liberal [in name only, actually right-of-centre conservative] and Labor [only nominally left] parties have said it would be a good idea for Australia to take in all the world’s nuclear waste. Guess on whose lands.
Chinese scientists warns that China’s nuclear plans are not safe
China warned over ‘insane’ plans for new nuclear power plants, Guardian, Emma Graham-Harrison , 25 May 15 He Zuoxiu, a leading Chinese scientist, says the country is not investing enough in safety controls after lifting of post-Fukushima disaster reactor ban. China’s plans for a rapid expansion of nuclear power plants are “insane” because the country is not investing enough in safety controls, a leading Chinese scientist has warned.France’s National Assembly approves Bill to Cut Nuclear Use, Boost Renewable Energy
French Bill Seeks to Boost Renewable Energy, Cut Nuclear Use http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/french-bill-seeks-boost-renewable-energy-cut-nuclear-31308484
PARIS — May 26, 2015, France’s lower house of parliament has approved a bill aimed at boosting renewable energy and reducing the country’s reliance on nuclear power, among other environment-friendly measures.
The French government wants to be exemplary this year in environmental matters, since Paris is hosting a U.N.-backed conference in December where 196 countries aim to limit greenhouse gas emissions to fight global warming.
The bill pushed by Ecology Minister Segolene Royal was approved Tuesday by the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, with 308 votes for and 217 against. It will then go to the Senate for further discussions. At the end of the process —probably over summer— the assembly will have the final say.
Among the more significant changes are the following measures: Continue reading
5.6 earthquake hits Tokyo
Quake Hits Tokyo Days After Japan OK’s Third Nuclear Restart BY HENRY AUSTIN NBC NEWS 25 MAY 15 An earthquake shook buildings and halted train lines in Tokyo early Monday, days after Japan’s nuclear regulator green-lighted the restarting of atomic energy at a third plant.
The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, was centered in Ibaraki prefecture just northeast of the country’s capital, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. There was no tsunami warning.
Narita airport closed both runways for checks shortly after the quake, but the capital’s Haneda airport was operating as normal.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no reports of abnormalities at any nuclear facilities.
But the quake is likely to reignite the debate about whether the country should use nuclear power in one of the world’s most seismically active nations……….http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/quake-strikes-japan-days-after-nuclear-reactor-signed-n364071
Majority of Japan’s companies do not like nuclear power – Reuters poll
Local residents and activists are seeking to block the restart of all five reactors certified as meeting new safety standards from the Nuclear Regulation Authority – making it hard to predict the timing of resumption of operations.
Japan Inc not as keen as Abe government on nuclear power – Reuters poll TOKYO | BY TETSUSHI KAJIMOTO AND YUKA OBAYASHI Sun May 24, 2015 Two-thirds of Japanese companies want and expect a lesser role for nuclear power than the government is targeting, a Reuters survey showed, reflecting persistent concerns about safety four years after the Fukushima disaster.
All of the country’s 43 operable reactors are offline – the result of a tougher safety regime introduced after an earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima plant, causing meltdowns, explosions and plumes of radioactivity. Continue reading
Further threats to already unviable price of uranium
One step forward, two steps back for uranium: report, Mining.com Andrew Topf | May 24, 2015 Uranium investors are being urged to exercise caution in the short term due to three events which could affect the prices of the nuclear fuel and the companies that mine it, according to a recent report by Dundee Capital Markets.
The three catalysts, says the report by three sector specialists at Dundee, relate to the highly significant restarts of Japanese nuclear reactors shut down after the Fukushima accident in 2011, and the activities of Japanese electric utility TEPCO.
Regarding TEPCO, there are media reports saying that TEPCO wants to sell some of its uranium inventory in order to cut costs and to counteract uncertainty over the restart of idled nuclear plants. The sales could represent 15 percent of spot volumes, or 3 percent of the total amount of uranium traded last year, with many fearing that is enough to flood the market and put downward pressure on the price. ……
The second driver that could affect the market negatively, is a recent decision by a Japanese court forbidding Kansai Electric Power (TSE:9503) from carrying out a plan to restart two idled nuclear reactors at Ohi north, near Osaka, because of their vulnerability to earthquakes……
The firm advises to stay away from Paladin Energy (TSX:ASX:PDN) …..http://www.mining.com/one-step-forward-two-steps-back-for-uranium-report/
Small scale solar power from Australian company transforms slum life in India
Australian solar company Pollinate Energy brings light to slums of India ABC Foreign Correspondent By South Asia correspondent Stephanie March 26 May 15 With indoor air pollution from kerosene lamps and stoves the second largest cause of death in India, one company, founded by Australians, has come up with a solution to the problem.
Every night in the sprawling shanty towns of the country of 1.2 billion people, the air fills with dense, black smoke.
“We used to get oil from the market and pour it into the lamp and light it; the house used to get full of soot and dirt,” said Abdul, a slum-dweller in Bangalore who lives in a hut made of wooden board and tarpaulin.
That was until Abdul bought a portable solar light from a company called Pollinate Energy, founded by five young Australians.
“After we got this solar lamp a lot of things improved,” Abdul said. “Now we don’t worry that there will be a fire.” Continue reading
Australians overwhelmingly prefer solar energy – survey results
Survey Says Australians Prefer Solar Power Sputnik News 25 May 15 Australians strongly support the use of renewable energy, according to Ipsos research company’s survey. Some 87 percent of respondents were strongly in favor of solar panels on homes and 78 percent supported large-scale solar energy facilities.MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Solar power is considered the most efficient source of energy by an overwhelming majority of Australians, Ipsos research company stated Monday.
Earlier in May, following months of negotiations, Australia’s current government and the primary opposition party reached an agreement to scale back its Renewable Energy Target (RET) by almost 20 percent by 2020, due to declining power demand.
A recent Ipsos report based on a poll of nearly 1200 people funded by Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) revealed that Australians responding to the poll strongly support the use of renewable energy. Some 87 percent of respondents were strongly in favor of solar panels on homes and 78 percent supported large-scale solar energy facilities.
An overall 72 percent of respondents from across Australia said they supported wind farms and hydro energy, while tidal and geothermal energy was favored by 52 and 45 percent respectively……..
Since coming to power in 2013, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has repealed a tax on carbon emissions and eliminated the post of science minister……… http://sputniknews.com/environment/20150525/1022530489.html#ixzz3bHKV5Rpu
White man’s greed for uranium mining is behind closure of remote Aboriginal settlements
Closure Of Aboriginal Settlements In Australia To Spark More Protests, International BusinessTimes, By Reissa Su on May 26 2015 Australia is moving to close its remote Aboriginal communities since the government believes they are no longer sustainable. A new wave of protests is being planned for next week across the country.
Western Australia had previously said it can no longer afford to support basic services for communities in remote areas. The government said indigenous communities are hampered by social problems like drug and alcohol abuse. Reports of child sexual abuse and low school attendance rates were also cited as reasons for closure.
The government has already closed one remote community, Oombulgurri, with a population of 100. In November, its lone shop, school and hospital were shut down as the settlement was flattened by a bulldozer after all the residents have gone.
Aboriginal groups in Australia believe they have spiritual connection with the land of their ancestors. They said the government should pay to eliminate the social problems rather than shut down communities.
The indigenous communities argue that the government is planning to evict more Aboriginals to pave the way for coal and uranium mining. “This is white man’s greed,” said aboriginal community leader Jenny Monroe. She accused the government of creating “victims of trauma” and reiterated that the indigenous law is the law of the land.
Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett said more than 100 remote communities will be closed resulting in a resettlement of thousands of residents. Mr Abbott had backed the move and declared it was not the job of taxpayers to subsidize “lifestyle choices.”….http://www.ibtimes.com.au/closure-aboriginal-settlements-australia-spark-more-protests-1449761
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 