Antinuclear

The week in nuclear, climate, and coronavirus news

Awareness about infectious diseases seems to have faded, up until suddenly just lately. It really is a long time between epidemics, and now we have a pandemic. The quickly spreading Coronavirus disease is being handled differently, according to each country. Climate scientist Paul Beckwith explains this, and warns on the necessity of urgent action.    Another excellent resource is Corona Virus – With Dr. John Campbell. There is also the inhumane theory of “herd immunity”, being recommended by some as a strategy for Britain.

Climate scientists are bemoaning the slowness to take action on the coronavirus, but, even more so, the continuing slowness to act on global heating.

A bit of good news – One Million ‘Wonder Plant’ Seedlings Are Planted in Wales to Fight Climate Crisis—and Create Healthy Seas

AUSTRALIA.

Coronavirus spreading –  Federal and State governments taking appropriate action .P.M. Scott Morrison a bit slow to cop on, and, Trump-style, inclined to use the occasion as a PR pitch.

Australian defence officials and politicians, like Christopher Pyne, rotate quickly between government and weapons industry jobs.

Australian govt rejects a report that recommends nuclear submarines.

NUCLEAR 

• Australia to feature at Fukushima in the opening Olympics event.
• Small Nuclear Reactors, like large ones, are out of the question for Australia, due to staggering costs. Small nuclear reactors, (just like large) can survive only with massive subsidies.
• Time that Australia closed the door on the dangerous distraction of nuclear power. Fact-checking the false nuclear claims of NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.   New South Wales National MPs embrace nuclear industry, other MPs are shocked. Nuclear lobbyists have got into the ears of NSW’ National Party. Melinda Pavey National Party MP wants Small Nuclear Reactors for the Riverina. Labor MP Yasmin Catley stands up for New South Wales nuclear ban laws.  Call to Premier Gladys Berejiklian to stand up for a nuclear-free New South Wales.
• This week’s uranium report- prices fall again, Australia’s “nuclear future” going nowhere.
• Australian government manipulates the National Radioactive Waste Management Act so as to prevent an Appeal. – ANSTO lies about necessity of nuclear reactor: Nuclear medicines are being made in Adelaide, without dirty nuclear reactor. Submissions due by Thurs 26th March to Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry. Court dismisses Aboriginal group’s appeal to stop the Kimba nuclear waste dump.

CLIMATE.  Global heating is intensifying a rare natural phenomenon that brings severe drought to Australia.  Climate change fuelled Australia’s devastating Black Summer – Climate Council Report. The climate denialist spin machine – the “Anti-Greta” in Australia.   NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean contradicts the Coalition party line – wants climate action and NO nuclear.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.  Rooftop solar unstoppable as market breaks “all previous records” in February .  NSW unveils two new renewable energy zones in $11 billion Net Zero strategy. Major clean energy industry events postponed in response to Coronavirus. Regional community solar and storage projects win NSW government grants. Australian researchers smash efficiency record for ‘tandem solar cells’.  Major solar farm and battery approved for New South Wales coal country.

INTERNATIONAL

Polar ice melting at an accelerating rate. The planet’s largest ecosystems could collapse faster than we thought.

Global response to Covid-19 is rapid. Response to climate change is too damn slow. Coronavirus poses threat to climate action.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists warns on doomsday.   Hypocrisy: new commitments to Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) include push for nuclear power.

Nuclear modernisation, cyber operations, raise a dilemma for nuclear deterrence.

Investigative journalism –  Fukushima, and the ocean’s history of nuclear waste dumping.

Tritium – more hazardous than gamma rays and most X-rays..

March 16, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews