Local MP Mike Kelly slams nuclear lobby’s plan for nuclear stations on New South Wales coast
South Coast nuclear option ‘makes no sense’: Mike Kelly http://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/5325720/nuclear-not-a-real-option-says-mp-kelly/ Alasdair McDonald 5 Apr 18,
The stretch of coastline between Merimbula and Bermagui has been earmarked as having the potential to host a nuclear power station.
Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly, a vocal supporter of renewable energy investment in the electorate, said while he understood potential benefits, the study “makes no sense whatsoever”.
“The way I look at it, we haven’t solved issues around disposing of the waste, and risk issues,” Dr Kelly said.
“The results can be catastrophic.”
Dr Kelly said Jervis Bay has long been looked at as a nuclear site, even as recently as by prime minister John Howard.
“If we were going to move down that road, we would’ve had to in the 1960s,” he said.
“Why do it if you have the opportunity to avoid it?”
Nuclear for Climate Australia states the reactor would “have potential if included with other power plants built at East Gippsland, the Snowy or Jervis Bay”, would be cooled in sea water, and would require an “extensive grid upgrade” and a port upgrade at Twofold Bay.
“The big issue is they [nuclear power plants] require water, and our rivers don’t have enough, which means you need the coastline, and where on our coast would you want one?” Dr Kelly said.
“Development would take 20 years, and in that time we have every available renewable energy resource here in Australia, which will transfer to cheaper power, especially with the Snowy Hydro announcement.
“For our region there’s real benefit in becoming a hub for research and development, and even manufacturing components.”
Australian professor and others from 30 countries call for ban on robotic autonomous weapons
We are locked into an arms race that no one wants to happen, global researchers warn
A CHILLING letter claims the world is on the cusp of opening a dangerous Pandora’s box — and there is no going back. http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/we-are-locked-into-an-arms-race-that-no-one-wants-to-happen-global-researchers-warn/news-story/fc6dfa060c66ed876beb79d1b7530cc6 Nick Whigham@NWWHIGHAM 5 Apr 18
The boycott comes in advance of a meeting next Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, of 123 member nations of the United Nations discussing the challenges posed by lethal autonomous weapons. Twenty-two of those nations have already called for an outright and pre-emptive ban on such weapons.
The open letter announcing the boycott against the South Korean university said autonomous weapons are the “third revolution in warfare” and warned about letting the genie out of the bottle.
“At a time when the United Nations is discussing how to contain the threat posed to international security by autonomous weapons, it is regrettable that a prestigious institution like KAIST looks to accelerate the arms race to develop such weapons,” the letter said.
“We therefore publicly declare that we will boycott all collaborations with any part of KAIST until such time as the President of KAIST provides assurances, which we have sought but not received, that the Center will not develop autonomous weapons lacking meaningful human control,” the researchers said.
“If developed, autonomous weapons will be the third revolution in warfare. They will permit war to be fought faster and at a scale greater than ever before. They have the potential to be weapons of terror. Despots and terrorists could use them against innocent populations, removing any ethical restraints. This Pandora’s box will be hard to close if it is opened.”
Professor Walsh organised the boycott which involves researchers from 30 countries and includes three of the world’s top deep learning experts, Professor Stuart Russell from the University of California, Berkeley, who authored the leading textbook on AI and roboticist Prof Wolfram Burgard, winner of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the most prestigious research prize in Germany.
“Back in 2015, we warned of an arms race in autonomous weapons,” Professor Walsh said in a statement alongside the letter. “We can see prototypes of autonomous weapons under development today by many nations including the US, China, Russia and the UK. We are locked into an arms race that no one wants to happen.
“KAIST’s actions will only accelerate this arms race. We cannot tolerate this.”
Professor Walsh has long campaigned against the development of autonomous weapons.
He has previously travelled to speak in front of the United Nations in an effort to have the international body prevent the proliferation of so-called killer robots with the ability to think for themselves.
Speaking to news.com.au last year he said “the arms race is already starting.”
He believes it’s no longer a question of whether military weapons are imbued with some level of autonomy, it’s just a matter of how much autonomy — which poses a number of worrying scenarios, particularly if they fall into the wrong hands.
“They get in the hands of the wrong people and they can be turned against us. They can be used by terrorist organisations,” he warned.
“It would be a terrifying future if we allow ourselves to go down this road.
Disappearing Wildlife and Nature Conservation — GarryRogers Nature Conservation
Over the 40-year period ending in 2012, more than half the animals on Earth disappeared.
via Disappearing Wildlife and Nature Conservation — GarryRogers Nature Conservation
Monash family appalled by Coalition’s “horse and buggy” approach to energy — RenewEconomy
Monash family appalled by Coalition’s use of name to push “anti-science” and “anti-intellectual” arguments for technology of “horse and buggy era.”
via Monash family appalled by Coalition’s “horse and buggy” approach to energy — RenewEconomy
Rapid Sea Level Rise Possible as Ocean Floods into Antarctica at up to 400 Meters Per Year — robertscribbler
From west to east and in a growing number of places, a warming ocean is cutting its way deep into Antarctica. Grounding lines — the bases upon which mile-high glaciers come to rest as they meet the water — are in rapid retreat. And this ocean, heated by human fossil fuel burning, is beginning to flood […]
Faster and smarter: Grid operator hails performance of Tesla big battery — RenewEconomy
Grid operator says Tesla big battery is faster and smarter than conventional turbines – and is also reducing prices.
via Faster and smarter: Grid operator hails performance of Tesla big battery — RenewEconomy
Australian rooftop solar boom rolls on – 351MW in first quarter — RenewEconomy
Rooftop solar installation boom continues in March, and total for first quarter is more than one third more than the previous record as households and business respond to soaring grid prices.
via Australian rooftop solar boom rolls on – 351MW in first quarter — RenewEconomy
Launch of online solar power calculator for homes and businesses — RenewEconomy
SunSPoT, a new online platform that can be used to calculate the solar power potential of any rooftop – home, business, factory or school – to be launched today in Sydney at UNSW.
via Launch of online solar power calculator for homes and businesses — RenewEconomy
Renewable Energy Market Report – all eyes on rooftop solar — RenewEconomy
LGC market endured a mundane March, but the small-scale market was abuzz with activity and speculation surrounding the target for 2018.
via Renewable Energy Market Report – all eyes on rooftop solar — RenewEconomy
Climate change: 1.5°C is closer than we imagine — RenewEconomy
Global warming of 1.5°C is imminent, likely in just a decade from now. That’s the stunning conclusion to be drawn from a number of recent studies.
via Climate change: 1.5°C is closer than we imagine — RenewEconomy
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 