Nuclear and climate news in International Women’s Week
The nuclear industry took the opportunity to push itself as an equality-for-women campaigner. Also, in the media, parents were warned to see that their girls got STEM skills (Science Technology Engineering Maths), or else they’d be jobless dropouts.
Now I too believe that these skills are important. But I deplore the downgrading of the so-called “soft” studies, that is going on at the same time. With the crises facing the world now, surely for decision-making, we need people with knowledge of languages, history, sociology, ecology. On the health effects of nuclear radiation, and of global heating, the “soft” sciences of biology and genetics are essential. And, as social commentator Eva Cox has pointed out, the occupations with social values of caring and nurturing ought not to be downgraded and poorly paid, in comparison with the techno world and competitive occupations with macho values.
While climate and nuclear threats are the focus of this newsletter, the reality is that the planetary mess is made of many interconnecting factors, in the unsustainable economy of “endless growth”. A big reminder – investigative journalism – Planet Plastic.
A bit of good news -Farming in the Forest: A Chance to Reverse 1,000 Years of Destructive Land-Use Practices
AUSTRALIA
The demonisation of Julian Assange: Former foreign minister Carr calls on the Australian govt to intervene. Government’s latest pressure on the ABC is slammed by Paul Keating.
NUCLEAR.
- Liberal-National Coalition in nuclear disarray. New South Wales South Coast to become a nuclear wasteland? That’s the plan of the National Party. Nature Conservation Council says the Nationals’ support for nuclear power is a “dangerous and expensive distraction”. Conservative push for nuclear power will drive a wedge into the Coalition. Nuclear free has served NSW well and should remain- Australian Conservation Foundation.
- New South Wales upper house Inquiry, stacked with pro nuclear people, recommends lifting nuclear bans. New South Wales National Party will support Latham’s nuclear power bill, says Barilaro. Liberals coy about nuclear power, Premier Gladys thinks “it doesn’t matter to the people of New South Wales”.
- investigative journalism – Flinders University, South Australia: collusion with nuclear power promotion, Prof Pam Sykes, and the scam of “hormesis”,
CLIMATE. Christiana Figueres– “Australia, you’re not ‘meeting and beating’ your emissions targets” Global heating is causing a decline in River flows in Murray Darling Basin. Kyoto carryover is “legally baseless”, international law experts warn Morrison government. Cosy little cocktail party for Liberal and Labor MPs, with coal industry bigwigs.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Morrison to cancel Australia’s participation in the Energy Transition Hub. CSIRO spin-off, Windlab, looks to Africa after “year of frustration” in Australia. Solar farms to carry cost of Territory government’s glacial pace on grid reform. Schletter Australia has partnered with SCP ‘Solar Car Parks’ to launch the HELIOPARK range of Solar Car Ports for the Australasian market. Tasmania sets world-leading target of 200 per cent renewables by 2040. Home battery boost as Victoria expands rebate, NSW launches interest-free loans.
INTERNATIONAL
Why don’t we treat the climate crisis with the same urgency as coronavirus?
Investigative journalism – Big Oil and Big Soda and plastically polluted Planet Earth.
The Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty – now more important than ever.The Threat of a Nuclear War Between the US and Russia Is Now at Its Greatest Since 1983.
A sceptical look at NuScam’s small nuclear reactor plans.
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of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
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