The week that has been in climate and nuclear news

Media attention continues to focus on Donald Trump. He seems happy in the spotlight, even if the revelations are about his conflicts of interest, and the unsuitability of officials that he’s appointing. Trump himself hardly matters, really, as the Republicans will be in charge in the White House, Congress and Senate, and are dominated by anti-science, climate deniers, and hawkish militarists.

Meanwhile the impacts of climate change continue, and their repercussions for society, and world security are becoming realised. Uncontrollable climate change could be triggered by Arctic ice melt. Military experts warn on refugee crises and need to combat climate change. With Temperatures Hitting 1.2 C Hotter than Pre-Industrial, Drought Now Spans the Globe. Biggest-Ever Coral Die-Off Reported on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Pope Francis urges national leaders not to wreck the climate change pact.

People power, not Trump, has killed the Trans Pacific Partnership.

NUCLEAR. As I write, South Australians are organising for a demonstration outside Parliamant House for a rather joyful requiem for the Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission’s plan to turn that State into the world’s nuclear toilet. The Dump is Dumped – for now, anyway. Citizens demand action to enforce South Australian Nuclear Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act 2000.

But then, there’s the Federal government’s plan for a nuclear waste at outback Barndioota. They duplicitously claim that this is for “medical” wastes, but it is in fact for the intermediate and high level processed wastes returning to Lucas Heights from France and UK. Kimba, South Australia, may rejoin the discussion on hosting a federal nuclear waste dump. Tiny outback town divided over plan for federal nuclear waste dump.

Liberal and Labor quietly pass law to protect uranium industry from legal challenges. Australian govt ignores UN request to review its failing uranium industry.

CLIMATE and RENEWABLE ENERGY . No real action from Federal govt in its new “response plan” on the Barrier Reef. Firefighters Alliance calls for action on climate change. Prime Minister Turnbull out of step with Australian public on environment. Smart planning now will enable reliable renewable electricity. Australian solar power technology sold to China, by CSIRO.

United Nations uphold their ruling in favour of Julian Assange.

Queensland. Traditional Aboriginal owners will fight on against Adani coal mine. Adani Carmichael coal mine faces many more questions and legal hurdles.

Northern Territory. Yingiya Mark Guyula is Confirmed as the Member for Nhulunbuy.

Victoria. Need to examine Australia’s electricity system – Victorian network fault.

Western Australia. Western Australian town to host large renewable energy grid.

December 2, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews

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1.This month.

The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.

The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.

Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items