Antinuclear

The week that was in nuclear and climate news in Australia

The United Nations has just held the first of two global summits to negotiate “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.   This was sponsored by 57 nations, and with 125 nations represented, but the nuclear weapons-dependent  nations did not participate.

Does this mean that the conference is meaningless? Perhaps. Yet, increasingly, public opinion supports nuclear disarmament, and those governments are being challenged, to explain their support for nuclear weapons.

As for the “peaceful” nuclear industry – it is having a financial meltdown. Westinghouse’s bankruptcy, and Toshiba’s record loss, shed doubt on new nuclear build in America and Britain.

Globally, the Paris climate agreement will continue, while Trump Trashes U.S. Climate Policy.

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR. Australia – America’s Deputy Sheriff again, as USA opposes nuclear-weapons-ban talks. Radioactive soil dumped at Mary Kathleen mine.

CLIMATE.

• Insurance catastrophe, with severe floods in Queensland and New South Wales, but of course, nobody is mentioning that nasty left-wing phrase “Climate Change”.
• Energy Minister Frydenberg says that Australia will not dump the Paris climate deal, even if America does. Australian government releases rather unsatisfactory climate review, amid resignations of key advisors.
• Resources Minister Matt Canavan wants $1b for Adani coal, and to cut environmental groups’ charity status. Anti-Adani activists vow ‘direct action’ against mine contractor Downer.  Australian Liberals seeking Asian investment for new coal-fired power stations. Fossil fuel industry screwed Australians: mainstream media helped them.
• Need for forward planning for climate change – shown by Hazelwood coal closure.
• Second year of widespread bleaching underway on the Great Barrier Reef.

RENEWABLE ENERGY Australian Energy Market Operator new boss Audrey Zibelman will reform Australia’s energy vision. Success of Australia’s Clean Energy Program.

As costs tumble, Australia poised for large-scale solar boom. Canberra’s shining example of renewable energy development. $1billion battery and solar farm for South Australia’s Riverland. Giles Parkinson explains need for battery storage to be configured properly

Indigenous. Success of Indigenous rangers program: calls for it to be expanded

Environment. Western Australia: Uranium mining OR the rare and beautiful Night Parrot?

Canberra’s Beyond Uranium Campaign Launched.

March 31, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews