David Suzuki on nuclear power as a climate change solution ”I want to puke.”
I want to puke. Because politicians love to say, “Oh, yeah, we care about this and boy, there’s [nuclear] technology just around the corner.”
Yeah, it’s taken a child [environmental activist Greta Thunberg] to finally have an impact that is more than all of us environmentalists put together over the past years.
The power of that child is that she’s got no vested interest in anything. She’s just saying: “Listen to the science because the scientists are telling us I have no future if we don’t take some drastic action.”
I want to puke’: David Suzuki reacts to O’Regan’s nuclear power endorsement
The Nature of Things host also addressed the climate crisis and youth’s role in climate change https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/is-it-time-to-call-an-election-1.5728483/i-want-to-puke-david-suzuki-reacts-to-o-regan-s-nuclear-power-endorsement-1.5731819
CBC Radio Sep 21, 2020 David Suzuki spoke to Checkup host Ian Hanomansing about how to tackle climate change while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and took questions from callers, in Sunday’s Ask Me Anything segment.
With the COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront of the news cycle, it might be easy to forget about the ongoing climate change crisis.
While managing the pandemic has become the first priority of the Canadian government and other governments around the world, climate change was a major talking point in the 2019 federal election campaign.
This summer, the last intact ice shelf in the Canadian Arctic collapsed. South of the border, dry, hot weather conditions in states such as Oregon and Washington have led to historic wildfires.
David Suzuki is a scientist and environmental activist. He’s also the host of The Nature of Things on CBC television. Continue reading
Small Nuclear Reactors look good – on paper!
Lockdown alternatives look good on paper: So do nuclear reactors, Independent Australia, By John Quiggin | 22 September 2020, Amid mounting pressure for a “hands-off” approach to pandemic controls, Professor John Quiggin explains the real costs of the “let her rip” strategy.
BACK IN 1953, the founder of the U.S. naval nuclear program, Admiral Hyman Rickover, drew a striking contrast between “paper reactors” and “real reactors”:
An academic [paper] reactor or reactor plant almost always has the following basic characteristics: (1) It is simple. (2) It is small. (3) It is cheap. (4) It is light. (5) It can be built very quickly. (6) It is very flexible in purpose (“omnibus reactor”). (7) Very little development is required. It will use mostly “off-the-shelf” components. (8) The reactor is in the study phases. It is not being built now.
On the other hand, a practical [real] reactor plant can be distinguished by the following characteristics: (1) It is being built now. (2) It is behind schedule. (3) It is requiring an immense amount of development on apparently trivial items. Corrosion, in particular, is a problem. (4) It is very expensive. (5) It takes a long time to build because of the engineering development problems. (6) It is large. (7) It is heavy. (8) It is complicated.
The tools of the academic-reactor designer are a piece of paper and a pencil with an eraser. If a mistake is made, it can always be erased and changed. If the practical-reactor designer errs, he wears the mistake around his neck; it cannot be erased. Everyone can see it.
Rickover’s insight has been borne out many times, as a long series of new reactor designs, promising power “too cheap to meter”, have come in over time and over budget. The latest such paper reactor, the Small Modular Reactor being developed by NuScale Power recently received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Quietly tucked away in the announcement was the prediction that the first 12-module plant being developed for Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems would be operational by 2030. Until last week, the announced target was 2027. And when the project was first funded, commercial operation was projected for 2023.
The contrast drawn by Rickover applies equally well to the policies proposed by critics of the elimination and suppression policies adopted around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic………..
Unlike Rickover’s paper reactors, these theoretical policies are typically not spelt out in much detail. Rather, the adverse effects of real policies, such as the hardship associated with travel restrictions and the economic cost of lockdowns are pointed out, and it is claimed that it would have been far better to accept a few deaths, mostly of old people who were going to die soon anyway. ….
Broadly speaking, the earlier and more comprehensive the control policy, the better the outcomes in terms of both (market) economic activity and health outcomes. (With a proper understanding of economics, health outcomes are economic outcomes, whether or not they affect market activity). ……..
Nuke Ban: Former Statesmen, et al Promoting — limitless life
Open Letter in Support of the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Under embargo until 21 September 2020, 00:00 UTC This open letter in support of the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been signed by 56 former presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and defence ministers from 20 NATO member […]
Nuke Ban: Former Statesmen, et al Promoting — limitless life
Anything but wind or solar: Taylor’s technology plan is “roadmap to nowhere” — RenewEconomy
The Coalition’s latest energy policy labelled a ‘roadmap to nowhere’, after sidelining wind and solar and failing to set a post-2030 emissions target. The post Anything but wind or solar: Taylor’s technology plan is “roadmap to nowhere” appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Anything but wind or solar: Taylor’s technology plan is “roadmap to nowhere” — RenewEconomy
Money talks, BS walks: It’s global comedy hour, with a special Australian segment — RenewEconomy
The federal government energy and climate policy has turned into complete farce. The post Money talks, BS walks: It’s global comedy hour, with a special Australian segment appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Money talks, BS walks: It’s global comedy hour, with a special Australian segment — RenewEconomy
Technology roadmap delays climate action by denying rapid deployment — RenewEconomy
To hit climate goals we need to accelerate deployment of mature technologies beyond the ‘natural’ rate of build. The technology roadmap doesn’t do that. The post Technology roadmap delays climate action by denying rapid deployment appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Technology roadmap delays climate action by denying rapid deployment — RenewEconomy
Australians suffer $2 billion health bill from summer bushfire smoke, researchers say — RenewEconomy
Researchers estimate smoke related health costs from summer bushfires at almost $2 billion, warning climate change will make the future worse. The post Australians suffer $2 billion health bill from summer bushfire smoke, researchers say appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Australians suffer $2 billion health bill from summer bushfire smoke, researchers say — RenewEconomy
September 21 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “Climate Intelligence Is Business Intelligence” • Politicization of climate change is clouding public perspective on the subject. Nevertheless, some leaders in the “real economy” are aligning with policymakers and civil society on the urgency of quickly slowing humanity’s contribution to accelerating climate change. We have a tool to support that. [CleanTechnica] ¶ “Trump […]
September 21 Energy News — geoharvey
Richest 10% Emit Double The Carbon Of The World’s Poorest — Stanisland
A new report by Oxfam has revealed the world’s richest account for 52% of global emissions
Richest 10% Emit Double The Carbon Of The World’s Poorest — Stanisland
Richest 10% Emit Double The Carbon Of The World’s Poorest — Stanisland
A new report by Oxfam has revealed the world’s richest account for 52% of global emissions
Richest 10% Emit Double The Carbon Of The World’s Poorest — Stanisland
Pandemic, climate, nuclear – very bad news, and some good news
Well, all news, by its very nature is likely to be bad. (Good behaviour is pretty ordinary, not news.) But there’s bad news, and there’s very bad news. And this has been a week for the very bads.
Start with the pandemic. The global death toll exceeds 957,000. cases nearly 31 million. India’s coronavirus cases pass 5 million as hospitals scramble for oxygen. A second wave grips Europe. UK cases could grow exponentially, if no action taken. Most of the US is headed in the wrong direction again with COVID-19 cases as deaths near 200,000.
Climate. Weather extremes are more frequently with us now, and as with the pandemic, the longer term future is unceetain: abrupt changes could bring interconnected tipping points.
Economics. The FinCEN files: Dirty little secrets of the world’s banks revealed in mass US government leak.
BUT – some good news. East Asian countries – China, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore Malaysia -have learned, through their previous SARS epidemic, how to structure their health systems to plan for and manage pandemics, mount particularly effective responses to COVID-19, and reduce the death rate.
Why harsh COVID-19 lockdowns are good for the economy.
World’s Biggest Rooftop Greenhouse in Montreal is as Big as 3 Football Fields – Now Can Feed 2% of the City.
AUSTRALIA
CORONAVIRUS. The State of Victoria has achieved remarkable success in bringing down the infection rate to 11 in one day, death toll 2. This is the result of the strict lockdown regime imposed by Prmier Daniel Andrews, despite vicious attacks on him by the opposition party. You know the good result is true, when even the Murdoch Press has to admit it, and its opinion poll backs the Premier.
NUCLEAR
- Not welcome, not needed: Community alliance united in response to divided Senate report on Kimba radioactive waste plan. Senate inquiry recommends passing nuclear waste site at Napandee, South Australia. Critical mass in Canberra puts nuclear dump in doubt. Did she lie to the Senate? – Samantha Chard, Chief of National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Taskforce. Words Before Waste: South Australians Call for More Consultation on Federal Radioactive Waste Plan. Call to Australian Labor Party to state its position on Napandee nuclear waste dump plan. Broad support for nuclear waste dump at Napandee? Senate report shows that is a lie. The process for selecting Napandee nuclear waste site – flawed and divisive. Australian Nuclear and Science Organisation distancing itself from the Napandee nuclear waste dump?
- Australia is to develop new small nuclear reactors in partnership with China (does Parliament know?).
- A mixed blessing – the sudden departure of Australia’s nuclear high priest, Dr Adi Paterson.
CLIMATE. Young Australians call for COVID-19 recovery plan with climate jobs. See this graphic exposure of the coal, oil, gas, corruption in Australian government. Scott Morrison turns to socialism, with his new religion, not coal, but “gas-led recovery”. Morrison thinks gas is the new coal, and it’s just as big a climate threat. ‘Gas-led recovery’ may actually deter energy investment: Experts. Australia’s mainstream media dutifully parrots out Government spin about gas.
Australian government never intended to follow the advice of the review on environmental law.
Killing the virus comes at enormous cost — doing nothing will cost more. News Corp, Facebook and disinformation about climate and pandemic.
Coalition to divert renewable energy funding away from wind and solar.
INTERNATIONAL
Julian Assange was offered a pardon, if he would name a source. Julian Assange exposed “a very serious pattern of actual war crimes”. Assange insisted on not revealing names of informants. Julian Assange case: Witnesses recall Collateral Murder attack: “Look at those dead bastards,” shooters said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNFEXvyZdyU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYaxBVzHJHs
David Attenborough now wants us to face up to the state of the planet. In tropical areas, increasing heat and humidity will make life almost unbearable. Importance of the ocean’s biological carbon pump. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4aQkyJrlWs
What Frogs Can Teach Us about the State of the World.
53 million tons of plastic could end up in rivers, lakes and oceans every year by 2030. The persistence of plastic.
The coronavirus pandemic and the increased safety risks for nuclear reactors.
Nuclear exposure standards discriminate on the basis of sex .
Why NuScam and other ”small” nuclear proposals just don’t make any sense.
The hidden stumbling block to progress on nuclear weapons.
BHP betrays international safety efforts.
Australian Nuclear and Science Organisation distancing itself from the Napandee nuclear waste dump?
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I wonder how many people have put TWO AND TWO together yet and realize that ANSTO is distancing itself further and further away from the dump! ANSTO will be in fact VERY HAPPY to have THEIR waste off their books!! Remember that ANSTO does NOT have to pay to use the dump – nor does any other Commonwealth entity! And ARWA has already said they will only use ANSTO for advice if necessary …
“ARWA is a Commonwealth entity, initially established with the department, and subsuming the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Taskforce. Over the next two years, ARWA’s capability will be developed and it will become a non-corporate Commonwealth entity under its own legislation. ARWA will continue to work closely with ANSTO, who provide their support and extensive expertise.” – Sam Chard August 2020
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A mixed blessing – the sudden departure of Australia’s nuclear high priest, Dr Adi Paterson
I am reminded of Hilaire Belloc’s advice to the young – ”Always keep a hold of Nurse, for fear of 
finding something worse”.
Among other sycophantic tributes, Dr Adi Paterson is lauded for encouraging women into the nuclear industry.
Adi Paterson spent several years in South Africa, trying to establish Small Nuclear Reactors. It turned out to be Tan expensive and useless exercise. Then he came to Australia, with the same dream. He quietly signed Australia up to the Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, without any consultation, discussion in Parliament (which rubber-stamped this later).
He quietly organised Australia’s participation with China in developing small nuclear reactors.
He rubbished renewable energy at a solar conference.
He went to Kimba to do propaganda for the nuclear waste dump plan, but admitted that there was no economic benefit in the low level waste dump, so the intermediate level waste was the real intention.
Leadership changes at ANSTO, Statement from the ANSTO Chair: Dr Annabelle Bennett 9 Sep 20, Dr Adi Paterson has resigned as CEO of ANSTO slightly ahead of time of his term. He has decided to take a period of leave before formally finishing. ……..
Mr Shaun Jenkinson will continue as acting CEO, while the Board undertakes a global search for a permanent CEO. https://www.ansto.gov.au/news/leadership-changes-at-ansto?fbclid=IwAR0cLOwne84D7XJP9UGwrf1aVAxyXgStAB6502zPYUgsqxdbjUuyUR3MYjo
Adrian “Adi” Paterson is a South African scientist and engineer best known for his work on Pebble Bed modular reactor research and development. He was appointed CEO of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in 2009
He emigrated to Australia in 2008 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer at ANSTO in March 2009.
Australia is to build new nuclear reactors, in partnership with China (does Parliament know?)
Republishing again, in view of Dr Adi Paterson’s departure from Ansto.
Republishing this one, in view of news from the UK, that a British-China nuclear research programme may be siphoning UK tax-payers’ funds off into China’s military projects.
Australia is back in the nuclear game, Independent Australia, By Noel Wauchope | 24 March 2019, One of Australia’s chief advocates for nuclear power Dr Adi Paterson, CEO of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, (ANSTO), has done it again.
This time, he quietly signed Australia up to spend taxpayers’ money on developing a new nuclear gimmick — the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR).
This new nuclear reactor does not physically exist and there is no market for it. So its development depends on government funding.
Proponents claim that this nuclear reactor would be better and cheaper than the existing (very expensive) pressurised water reactors, but this claim has been refuted. The TMSR has been described by analyst Oliver Tickell as not “green”, not “viable” and not likely. More recently, the plan has been criticised as, among other things, just too expensive — not feasible as a profitable commercial energy source.
Paterson’s signing up to this agreement received no Parliamentary discussion and no public information. The news just appeared in a relatively obscure engineering journal.
The public remains unaware of this.
In 2017, we learned through the Senate Committee process that Dr Paterson had, in June 2016, signed Australia up to the Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems (also accessible by Parliament Hansard Economics Legislation Committee 30/05/2017).
This was in advance of any Parliamentary discussion and despite Australia’s law prohibiting nuclear power development. Paterson’s decision was later rubber-stamped by a Senate Committee……..
Dr Paterson was then obviously supremely confident in his ability to make pro-nuclear decisions for Australia.
Nothing seems to have changed in Paterson’s confidence levels about making decisions on behalf of Australia.
Interestingly, Bill Gates has abandoned his nuclear co-operation with China. His company TerraPower was to develop Generation IV nuclear reactors. Gates decided to pull out of this because the Trump Administration, led by the Energy Department, announced in October that it was implementing measures to prevent China’s illegal diversion of U.S. civil nuclear technology for military or other unauthorised purposes.
Apparently, these considerations have not weighed heavily on the Australian Parliament.
Is this because the Parliament doesn’t know anything about Dr Paterson’s agreement for Australia to partner with the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) in developing Thorium Molten Salt Reactors? https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/australia-is-back-in-the-nuclear-game,12488#.XJWdhxDqitc.twitter
The process for selecting Napandee nuclear waste site – flawed and divisive
1.This month
For international nuclear news go to https://nuclear-news.net/
Senate Committee Inquiry into National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020 [Provisions] has again postponed the date for their report from 31 August 2020 to 14 September 2020.
You can still send Submissions to them on that same page. Read Public hearings transcripts : the latest (28 August) is now available.
of the week
Committee for Future Generations
https://climatetippingpoints.info/
Join my fight to free Julian Assange and stop US extradition
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/julianassange/
Submissions to the Senate Committee Inquiry into National Radioactive Management Amendment Bill. 2020. Go to our summaries of significant submissions, conveniently listed in alphabetical order at Kimba waste dump submissions or see all submissions listed at Read the Submissions
EVENTS
WEBINARS – Details at YELLOWCAKE COUNTRY http://www.ccwa.org.au/yellowcake_country_webinar_series
30 September – Webinar – Uranium and Nuclear Power Wednesday 5.30 pm (AWST) 7.30 pm (AEST)
18 November – Webinar – Maralinga to Mulga Rock the Spinifex Story Wednesday 5.30 pm (AWST) 7.30 pm (AEST) |
No nuclear waste dump in South Australia
ACT NOW: NO PLACE FOR NUCLEAR WASTE https://www.conservationsa.org.au/no_place_for_nuclear_waste?fbclid=IwAR24tyFotCN96nobPpPuhGCqBMlW8zjPixIzmEj8ud8b_J7tRigzlXLpjJc
https://www.change.org/p/release-julian-assange-from-belmarsh-prison-before-covid-19-spreads
Antarctica Nuclear Power Plant Cancer Disaster on Day 1 Say Navy Shipmen
Antarctica nuclear reactor caused many cancers. Several countries insisted the US to clean up the nuclear waste via treaty. 5 On Your Side Investigation in March 2011 revealed at least “438 malfunctions from 1964 through 1972.” Our report found “leaking water surrounding the reactor” as well as “hairline cracks in the reactor liner” and prompted two federal hearings that upheld our report’s findings. The plant was eventually shut down and dismantled in 1972, but in the decades that followed, repeated cancer claims for service-connected disability filed by veterans were routinely turned down or ignored by the Veterans Administration. “There is no question that the water was contaminated,” said Wilborn, who was granted a service-connected disability after a hearing before the Board of Veterans Appeals. The appeals board also found that Wilborn’ s exposure was “grossly underestimated” and “evidence strongly suggests that others may have been exposed to higher levels” as well. Source Ron Reagan http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-ne…
McMurdo has attempted to improve environmental management and waste removal over the past decade in order to adhere to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed October 4, 1991, and entered into force January 14, 1998. This agreement prevents development and provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes on marine pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste management, and protected areas. It prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific. A new waste treatment facility was built at McMurdo in 2003, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMurdo…
