A fight for homeland
It is usually our duty to care for the Earth and to support 7 generations ahead
of us. ……. However, in the case of the radioactivity generated by the nuclear
industry, we must protect 7000 generations.
we, the Committee for Future Generations, were embattled by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
We are the Poplar/Aspen Tree Home Dene (English River First Nation). The
Nuclear waste management Organization was soliciting us to allow them to
build a nuclear waste dump on our traditional territory.
Our Committee for Future Generations was in a campaign to raise awareness across
Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world about the serious risks we were facing.
We had walked and talked, and used social media, camped and gathered, and
brought in experts.
Our idea was to show the people that we were struggling
against the industrial military complex. Our very DNA was on the line. We
stood to protect the next 7000 Generations of all living things. It is
usually our duty to care for the Earth and to support 7 generations ahead
of us.
However, in the case of the radioactivity generated by the nuclear
industry, we must protect 7000 generations. The radioactive elements being
created today will be hazardous to humans and other species for 7000
generations of life on this planet. We went toe to toe with the sales
brokers the industry sent to pitch this glorified waste dump. We exposed
their gaps and their outright lies and propaganda at every opportunity.
In 2014 they admitted defeat and left Saskatchewan to try to find a willing
“host” community in Ontario. But we continue defending our people. Our
territory has some of the highest-grade uranium deposits in the world. More
than 2700 mineral claims are on file, primarily intending to mine uranium.
There are currently 5 uranium mines and 2 mills in our territory and 2
other companies are in the preliminary stages of applying for a licence to
mine.
Until this industry is shut down neither us, nor people in the places
where the yellow cake is distributed will be safe.
Beyond Nuclear 13th March 2022
Massive 7.3 earthquake hits Japan near site of Fukushima nuclear disaster
Massive 7.3 earthquake hits Japan near site of Fukushima nuclear disaster, Fortune. BY KANA NISHIZAWA AND BLOOMBERG, March 17, 2022 . A magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck northern Japan near Fukushima prefecture late on Wednesday, causing injuries, derailing a bullet train and disrupting power.
The quake, which also shook buildings in parts of Tokyo, struck around 11:36 pm local time, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Kyodo News said “many” were injured in Fukushima, citing the local fire department, although the full scale of damages and injuries was still unclear. …..
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said around 2 million buildings in its service area lost electricity, although power was restored to most a few hours later. Around 9,300 buildings, including more about 1,100 in Tokyo, remained without power as of 2:30 a.m. local time, it said.
Nuclear regulators said a fire alarm went off at Fukushima’s Dai-ichi nuclear plant, and that water pumps used to cool spent fuel pool at the Dai-ni plant were halted, although there was no imminent danger. ………. https://fortune.com/2022/03/16/magnitude-7-3-earthquake-hits-fukushima-japan/
So, who actually does have the ‘duty of care’? Who is responsible for tomorrow? — Sustainability Bites
The Federal Minister for the Environment does not have a duty of care to protect young people from the harms of climate change. So says the law. If not the Environment Minister, then who? Our Prime Minister or the Minister for Emissions? Our corporate leaders and billionaires? Or should we look to the world government? Our whole polity is failing us.
So, who actually does have the ‘duty of care’? Who is responsible for tomorrow? — Sustainability Bites
Origin says there are better technologies than coal, as grid moves away from baseload — RenewEconomy
Origin CEO says decision to close Eraring early highlights need to move quickly as the grid shifts from a focus on baseload to flexible capacity. The post Origin says there are better technologies than coal, as grid moves away from baseload appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Origin says there are better technologies than coal, as grid moves away from baseload — RenewEconomy
Younger generations demand stronger climate action, despite federal court setback — RenewEconomy
Australian voters continue to rank climate change as a top election concern, with new polling showing they want stronger policies. The post Younger generations demand stronger climate action, despite federal court setback appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Younger generations demand stronger climate action, despite federal court setback — RenewEconomy
South Australia looks to more big batteries to maximise wind and solar exports — RenewEconomy
South Australia looking at big batteries to maximise exports of wind and solar to neighbouring states once new link is complete. The post South Australia looks to more big batteries to maximise wind and solar exports appeared first on RenewEconomy.
South Australia looks to more big batteries to maximise wind and solar exports — RenewEconomy
Contaminated soil from nuclear power plant, destination yet to be determined… — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
March 12, 2022 Seven years have passed since the operation of the interim storage facilities that surround TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant began. The delivery of contaminated soil from the decontamination of the nuclear accident is expected to be almost completed by the end of this month, except for that from the difficult-to-return zone. […]
Contaminated soil from nuclear power plant, destination yet to be determined… — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
Ukraine war: Chinese Foreign Ministry reminds Washington of its own recent history — Anti-bellum
Xinhua News AgencyMarch 16, 2022 U.S. a typical example of big countries bullying small countries: FM spokesperson China on Wednesday refuted the U.S. criticism of big countries bullying small countries, saying that what the United States has done to Cuba, Panama and other countries are typical examples of bullying. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made […]
Ukraine war: Chinese Foreign Ministry reminds Washington of its own recent history — Anti-bellum
NATO, EU, Quad states besiege India over refusal to join anti-Russia crusade — Anti-bellum
The HinduMarch 17, 2022 Amid Ukraine crisis, Delhi receives a flurry of NATO allies and Quad partnersSuhasini Haidar Amidst a global call by NATO countries and western allies to join sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold back–to–back summits with Quad partners, including an in–person summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio […]
NATO, EU, Quad states besiege India over refusal to join anti-Russia crusade — Anti-bellum
A joint statement of IPPNW physicians in Russia and Ukraine — IPPNW peace and health blog
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, leading to human casualties. And in the case of escalation of the conflict it may cause more severe consequences, involvement of other countries, nuclear facilities and even nuclear confrontation. It is a great tragedy in the center of Europe caused by the inability of authorities to speak to […]
A joint statement of IPPNW physicians in Russia and Ukraine — IPPNW peace and health blog
Zelensky Says He’s ‘Cooled’ on Joining NATO, Ready for Talks With Russia on Crimea, Donbas
Russia wants Ukraine to declare neutrality, recognize Crimea as Russian, and recognize the independence of the breakaway Donbas republics. https://news.antiwar.com/2022/03/08/zelensky-says-hes-cooled-on-joining-nato-ready-for-talks-with-russia-on-crimea-donbas/ by Dave DeCamp
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC News in an interview that aired Monday night that he had “cooled down” on the idea of Ukraine joining NATO and is open to talks with Russia about the future of the Donbas and Crimea.
“Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “The alliance is afraid of controversial things and confrontation with Russia. I never wanted to be a country which is begging something on its knees. We are not going to be that country, and I don’t want to be that president.”
Regarding Crimea and the Donbas, Zelensky said Ukraine is not prepared for Russian “ultimatums” but is ready to discuss the status of the territories. “The people who elected me are not ready to surrender. We are not ready for ultimatums,” he said. “But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC News in an interview that aired Monday night that he had “cooled down” on the idea of Ukraine joining NATO and is open to talks with Russia about the future of the Donbas and Crimea.
“Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “The alliance is afraid of controversial things and confrontation with Russia. I never wanted to be a country which is begging something on its knees. We are not going to be that country, and I don’t want to be that president.”
Regarding Crimea and the Donbas, Zelensky said Ukraine is not prepared for Russian “ultimatums” but is ready to discuss the status of the territories. “The people who elected me are not ready to surrender. We are not ready for ultimatums,” he said. “But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas.”
South Australian Unions stand with Traditional Owners in rejecting nuclear waste dump
South Australian unions have unanimously supported a motion standing with Traditional Owners to reject a proposed nuclear waste dump in Kimba on the Eyre peninsula and have called on the Marshall Government to do the same.
SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley said the that South Australian labour movement stood shoulder to shoulder with the Barngarla Traditional Owners in their opposition to the Federal Government proposal to build a nuclear waste dump on the Eyre Peninsula.
“South Australian unions are completely united in their support of the Barngarla Traditional Owners and their opposition to the proposed nuclear waste site at Kimba.
“It is simply extraordinary that the Federal Government would seek to impose a nuclear waste dump on South Australia with inadequate consultation, long term planning and against the wishes of Traditional Owners.
“What’s even more astonishing is Steven Marshall’s abject failure to stand up to Canberra, to stand up for the best interests of South Australians and publicly oppose this nuclear waste dump in South Australia.
When asked about the proposal to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia Mr. Marshall was quoted in 2020 as saying “finally, a decision has been made and we now get on with it.”
“We have in South Australia a shameful legacy of imposing the impact of nuclear technology on aboriginal communities. Decades after the end of British nuclear tests around Maralinga, radioactive particles containing plutonium and uranium still contaminate the landscape.[i] Given that history, we would have expected Steven Marshall to stand up for the Barngarla Traditional Owners.
This is not the first time Steven Marshall has failed South Australian Aboriginal people. In 2018 he remarkably closed off treaty negotiations with Aboriginal groups, saying he had “other priorities”, having described the process as a “cruel hoax.”
“Aside from being fiercely opposed by the Barngarla Traditional Owners, there are very real concerns around the safety and security of the nuclear waste and its transport 1,700km across Australia to be stored at Kimba, SA.
“The potential and associated risks attached to the transportation and storage of nuclear waste are well documented, yet there has been an absence of consultation with the communities through which this waste will transit. This is an issue for all South Australians.
“The plan to store the nuclear waste, which must be isolated from the environment for a minimum of 10,000 years, will see serious consequences for South Australians for many generations to come.
“South Australian unions join with the Traditional Owners and the South Australian Community in complete opposition to the dangerous proposal and call on the Marshall Government act in the best interests of our state and publicly state its opposition.”
Peace Talks in Ukraine “Will Get Nowhere” If US Keeps Refusing to Join
Chomsky: Peace Talks in Ukraine “Will Get Nowhere” If US Keeps Refusing to Join, https://truthout.org/articles/chomsky-peace-talks-in-ukraine-will-get-nowhere-if-us-keeps-refusing-to-join/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=0f3fe992-e64c-42c7-85ff-483718a7c020, C.J. Polychroniou, 14 Mar 22
As Russia steps up its assault on Ukraine and its forces advance on Kyiv, peace talks between the two sides were scheduled to resume today for the fourth time, but have now been postponed until tomorrow. Unfortunately, some opportunities for a peace agreement have already been squandered, so it’s hard to be optimistic about when the war will end. Regardless of when or how the war ends, though, its impact is already being felt across the international security system, as the rearmament of Europe shows. The Russian invasion of Ukraine also complicates the urgent fight against the climate crisis. The war takes a heavy toll on Ukraine and on the environment, but it also gives the fossil fuel industry extra leverage among governments.
In the interview that follows, world-renowned scholar and dissident Noam Chomsky shares his insights about the prospects for peace in Ukraine and how this war may impact our efforts to combat global warming.
Noam Chomsky, who is internationally recognized as one of the most important intellectuals alive, is the author of some 150 books and the recipient of scores of highly prestigious awards, including the Sydney Peace Prize and the Kyoto Prize (Japan’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize), and of dozens of honorary doctorate degrees from the world’s most renowned universities. Chomsky is Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT and currently Laureate Professor at the University of Arizona.
C.J. Polychroniou: Noam, while a fourth round of negotiations was scheduled to take place today between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, it is now postponed until tomorrow, and it still seems unlikely that peace will be reached in Ukraine any time soon. Ukrainians don’t appear likely to surrender, and Putin seems determined to continue his invasion. In that context, what do you think of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s response to Vladimir Putin’s four core demands, which were (a) cease military action, (b) acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory, (c) amend the Ukrainian constitution to enshrine neutrality, and (d) recognize the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine?
Noam Chomsky: Before responding, I would like to stress the crucial issue that must be in the forefront of all discussions of this terrible tragedy: We must find a way to bring this war to an end before it escalates, possibly to utter devastation of Ukraine and unimaginable catastrophe beyond. The only way is a negotiated settlement. Like it or not, this must provide some kind of escape hatch for Putin, or the worst will happen. Not victory, but an escape hatch. These concerns must be uppermost in our minds.
I don’t think that Zelensky should have simply accepted Putin’s demands. I think his public response on March 7 was judicious and appropriate.
In these remarks, Zelensky recognized that joining NATO is not an option for Ukraine. He also insisted, rightly, that the opinions of people in the Donbas region, now occupied by Russia, should be a critical factor in determining some form of settlement. He is, in short, reiterating what would very likely have been a path for preventing this tragedy — though we cannot know, because the U.S. refused to try.
As has been understood for a long time, decades in fact, for Ukraine to join NATO would be rather like Mexico joining a China-run military alliance, hosting joint maneuvers with the Chinese army and maintaining weapons aimed at Washington. To insist on Mexico’s sovereign right to do so would surpass idiocy (and, fortunately, no one brings this up). Washington’s insistence on Ukraine’s sovereign right to join NATO is even worse, since it sets up an insurmountable barrier to a peaceful resolution of a crisis that is already a shocking crime and will soon become much worse unless resolved — by the negotiations that Washington refuses to join.
………………………. Zelensky’s proposals considerably narrow the gap with Putin’s demands and provide an opportunity to carry forward the diplomatic initiatives that have been undertaken by France and Germany, with limited Chinese support. Negotiations might succeed or might fail. The only way to find out is to try. Of course, negotiations will get nowhere if the U.S. persists in its adamant refusal to join, backed by the virtually united commissariat, and if the press continues to insist that the public remain in the dark by refusing even to report Zelensky’s proposals.
In fairness, I should add that on March 13, the New York Times did publish a call for diplomacy that would carry forward the “virtual summit” of France-Germany-China, while offering Putin an “offramp,” distasteful as that is. The article was written by Wang Huiyao, president of a Beijing nongovernmental think tank.
C.J. Polychroniou: It also seems to me that, in some quarters, peace in Ukraine is hardly on top of the agenda. For example, there are plenty of voices both in the U.S. and in U.K. urging Ukraine to keep on fighting (although western governments have ruled out sending troops to defend Ukraine), probably in the hopes that the continuation of the war, in conjunction with the economic sanctions, may lead to regime change in Moscow. Yet, isn’t it the case that even if Putin actually falls from power, it would still be necessary to negotiate a peace treaty with whatever Russia government comes next, and that compromises would have to be made for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine?
Noam Chomsky: We can only speculate about the reasons for U.S.-U.K. total concentration on warlike and punitive measures, and refusal to join in the one sensible approach to ending the tragedy. Perhaps it is based on hope for regime change. If so, it is both criminal and foolish. Criminal because it perpetuates the vicious war and cuts off hope for ending the horrors, foolish because it is quite likely that if Putin is overthrown someone even worse will take over. That has been a consistent pattern in elimination of leadership in criminal organizations for many years, matters discussed very convincingly by Andrew Cockburn.
It is worth noticing that most of the world is keeping apart from the awful spectacle underway in Europe. One telling illustration is sanctions. Political analyst John Whitbeck has produced a map of sanctions against Russia: the U.S. and the rest of the Anglosphere, Europe and some of East Asia. None in the Global South, which is watching, bemused, as Europe reverts to its traditional pastime of mutual slaughter while relentlessly pursuing its vocation of destroying whatever else it chooses to within its reach: Yemen, Palestine, and far more. Voices in the Global South condemn Putin’s brutal crime, but do not conceal the supreme hypocrisy of western posturing about crimes that are a bare fraction of their own regular practices, right to the present.
C.J. Polychroniou: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may very well change the global order, especially with the likely emergence of the militarization of the European Union. What does the change in Germany’s Russia strategy — i.e., its rearmament and the apparent end of Ostpolitik — mean for Europe and global diplomacy?
Noam Chomsky: The major effect, I suspect, will be what I mentioned: more firm imposition of the U.S.-run, NATO-based Atlanticist model and curtailing once again the repeated efforts to create a European system independent of the U.S., a “third force” in world affairs, as it was sometimes called. That has been a fundamental issue since the end of World War II. Putin has settled it for the time being by providing Washington with its fondest wish: a Europe so subservient that an Italian university tried to ban a series of lectures on Dostoyevsky, to take just one of many egregious examples of how Europeans are making fools of themselves.
Meanwhile, it seems likely that Russia will drift further into China’s orbit, becoming even more of a declining kleptocratic raw materials producer than it is now. China is likely to persist in its programs of incorporating more and more of the world into the development-and-investment system based on the Belt-and-Road initiative, the “maritime silk road” that passes through the UAE into the Middle East, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The U.S. seems intent on responding with its comparative advantage: force. Right now, that includes Biden’s programs of “encirclement” of China by military bases and alliances, while perhaps even seeking to improve the U.S. economy as long as it is framed as competing with China. Just what we are observing now.
There is a brief period in which course corrections remain possible. It may soon come to an end as U.S. democracy, such as it still is, continues on its self-destructive course.
C.J. Polychroniou: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may also have dealt a severe blow to our hopes of tackling the climate crisis, at least in this decade. Do you have any comments to make on this rather bleak observation of mine?
Noam Chomsly: Appropriate comments surpass my limited literary skills. The blow is not only severe, but it may also be terminal for organized human life on earth, and for the innumerable other species that we are in the process of destroying with abandon.
In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, the IPCC released its 2022 report, by far the most dire warning it has yet produced. The report made it very clear that we must take firm measures now, with no delay, to cut back the use of fossil fuels and to move toward renewable energy. The warnings received brief notice, and then our strange species returned to devoting scarce resources to destruction and rapidly increasing its poisoning of the atmosphere, while blocking efforts for extricating itself from its suicidal path.
The fossil fuel industry can scarcely suppress its joy in the new opportunities the invasion has provided to accelerate its destruction of life on earth. In the U.S., the denialist party, which has successfully blocked Biden’s limited efforts to deal with the existential crisis, is likely to be back in power soon, so that it can resume the dedication of the Trump administration to destroy everything as quickly and effectively as possible.
These words might sound harsh. They are not harsh enough.
The game is not over. There still is time for radical course correction. The means are understood. If the will is there, it is possible to avert catastrophe and to move on to a much better world. The invasion of Ukraine has indeed been a severe blow to these prospects. Whether it constitutes a terminal blow or not is for us to decide.
A genuine Environmental Impact Statement must thoroughly cover the plan for National Radioactive Waste Dump, including transport issues, and the alternative option
David Noonan input to: “Referral: EPBC 2021/9128 – National Radioactive Waste Management Facility NRWMF, SA” 15 Mar 22,
As a significant “nuclear action” under the EPBC Act this NRWMF Referral is a “Controlled Action” AND requires a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) at the highest level of public assessment.
In a nuclear action “the whole environment” is the “Matter of National Environmental Significance” protected under the EPBC Act. An EIS is warranted to cover the scope of this protected matter.
Minister Sussan Ley has now to decide the level of assessment that is applied to this Referral.
The EPBC Comment Form is inadequate. Its role is to properly inform the public. However, it only asks ‘Do you consider this Referral is a Controlled Action’, rather than also asking for input and reasons on the consequent required level of public impact assessment.
ARWA are the ‘proponent’ in this NRWMF Referral, as a non-independent badged office of the Industry Department. The Minister must not make a decision to approve and allow the NRWMF to proceed on the inadequate limited basis of non-independent input by the proponent.
A public impact assessment must be carried out under the EPBC Act. The proponent ARWA pointing to a separate ARPANSA Licensing process, as an impact assessment under other legislation, can-not ‘replace’ the need for a required EPBC Act EIS. The ARPANS Act does not protect nor assess ‘the whole of environment’ protected matter involved here under the EPBC Act.
As to Reasons, my submission to Minister Pitt on NRWMF Siting (Oct 2021).
ARWA falsely claim there is no Alternative to the proposed NRWMF action.
“Why impose indefinite storage of ANSTO nuclear waste onto SA when its already in safe and secure Extended Storage at Lucas Heights?”(August 2021)
The NRWMF is two dumps in one. Proposed transport to and indefinite above ground storage at Kimba in SA of ANSTO Reprocessed Nuclear Fuel Wastes and Intermediate Level Wastes from Lucas Heights is untenable, unnecessary, unsafe and insecure, and has an obvious Alternative.
An effective Alternative is in-hand in the regulator ARPANSA’s formal Safety Contingency to retain these nuclear wastes at Lucas Heights “until the availability of a final disposal option”.
DAWE must require this Alternative is formally publicly assessed as part of the required EIS process.
It is inexplicable and unacceptable that ARWA have sought to exclude NRWMF inherent transport & shipping of ANSTO Reprocessed Nuclear Fuel Wastes to Kimba from this NRWMF Referral.
It is nonsensical and contrary to the public interest to seek approval for indefinite above ground storage of these highly hazardous nuclear wastes at Kimba in SA, while seeking to exclude core required transport & shipping of these wastes to the site from assessment
The impacted Whyalla community must not be excluded from any assessment of this Referral.
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
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