Queensland’s Yurika to install 15MW of solar on shopping centres — RenewEconomy
Queensland government-owned utility Yurika Energy inks deal with QIC Global Real Estate to install 15MW of rooftop solar across five major shopping centre sites. The post Queensland’s Yurika to install 15MW of solar on shopping centres appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Queensland’s Yurika to install 15MW of solar on shopping centres — RenewEconomy
Helen Haines launches renewable energy plan for regional Australia — RenewEconomy
Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has launched a plan to ensure regional Australia benefits from a coming boom in renewable energy. The post Helen Haines launches renewable energy plan for regional Australia appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Helen Haines launches renewable energy plan for regional Australia — RenewEconomy
Switching to renewables could cut industry energy costs by almost a quarter — RenewEconomy
Australian heavy industries could slash energy costs by turning to wind and solar, and the clean energy switch is key to a manufacturing revival. The post Switching to renewables could cut industry energy costs by almost a quarter appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Switching to renewables could cut industry energy costs by almost a quarter — RenewEconomy
States so far ahead of Australia government, it’s as if they are in a different industrial era — RenewEconomy
A tri-partisan mix of Liberal, Labor and Greens energy ministers show that states and territories are so far ahead of federal Coalition government on climate and energy, it’s as though they are in a different industrial era. The post States so far ahead of Australia government, it’s as if they are in a different industrial…
Covid-19 co-operation lays out pathway for climate ambition, CMI says — RenewEconomy
Carbon Markets Institute chief says new found government cooperation provides chance to align Covid-19, bushfire responses with climate action. The post Covid-19 co-operation lays out pathway for climate ambition, CMI says appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Covid-19 co-operation lays out pathway for climate ambition, CMI says — RenewEconomy
New environment laws must address main cause of the biodiversity crisis – climate change — RenewEconomy
A review of EPBC Act provides some hope for new laws to disable the onslaught of new fossil fuel projects and the demise of our natural environment. The post New environment laws must address main cause of the biodiversity crisis – climate change appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Victoria calls on feds to “put aside ideology” and pave way for offshore wind — RenewEconomy
Victoria energy minister says federal Coalition should get on with providing a proper legislative framework for the development of offshore wind projects. The post Victoria calls on feds to “put aside ideology” and pave way for offshore wind appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Victoria calls on feds to “put aside ideology” and pave way for offshore wind — RenewEconomy
Nuclear issues and epidemiology – theme for May 2029
Epidemiology – a forgotten science? But now, in the time of pandemic, it has come into its own.
The coronavirus illness is a global phenomenon. Global economies have ground to a halt. Epidemiologists, formerly just boring old farts, in a world that reveres high tech and space scientists, now are called upon for guidance .
Epidemiologists are not industry’s favourite people. Sir Richard Doll, in the 1950s, combined laboratory studies on mice with painstaking epidemiological research, proving that cigarette smoking causes cancer, British Tobacco did not like him.
The nuclear industry learned – to downgrade epidemiological research, and prevent it wherever possible. Subservient governments complied with the nuclear industry.
BUT – there has been epidemiological research applied to nuclear’s ionising radiation and its effect on health – just a few examples – on nuclear workers’ health., on residents of Belarus and Ukraine, on the developing foetus,
Right now, the world sees value in identifying cases, clusters – where the invisible coronavirus exists, with its threat of immediate illness and death.
Equally dangerous the cases and clusters of accumulating radioactive particles lead to the threat of later illness and death.
It is time that epidemiological research on ionising radiation was done, properly, thoroughly, like Richard Doll’s cigarette study. Time to no longer allow the nuclear industry to downplay and stifle such research, (and not to let them do their own biased studies)
Kerri-Ann Garlick – Lucas Heights is the correct place for Australia’s nuclear waste. The Kimba dump plan is unfair, undemocratic and dangerous.
Kerri-Ann Garlick Submission 99 to Senate Committee on National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
The National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment Bill amends the National Radioactive Waste Management Act to specify a site near Kimba in South Australia for a nuclear waste ‘facility’ ‒ a repository for low-level waste and an above-ground ‘interim’ store for long-lived intermediate level waste.
I have deep concerns about the federal government’s proposed changes to the National Radioactive Waste Management Act. They are unfair, undemocratic and dangerous.
The government has no valid case on safety or security grounds and not made a clear case about the need for the planned national nuclear waste facility at Kimba.
The necessary infrastructure, resources and expertise for nuclear operations and waste management are all located at Lucas Heights and transferring the waste component of the system to a remote location at Kimba is a recipe for disaster in the medium and long term – up to 10,000 years from now, in the case of intermediate waste.
The whole process has been restricted and inadequate. The traditional owners of the land were disrespected and excluded from the purportedly public and democratic approval process. All citizens of Australia have a stake in the successful resolution of our national nuclear waste problems yet we were not consulted either.
The Bill is deeply flawed and should be rejected.
In particular, I am concerned that the planned changes:
- restrict or remove options for judicial review of the government’s site selection under
current laws, - unreasonably reduce the rights and options of the Barngarla Traditional Owners and other
directly impacted parties and have not been made with proper consultation, - exempt key environmental and cultural heritage protection laws from being usedfail to make any clear or compelling radiological or public health case for doubling handling the long-lived intermediate level waste (ILW) at significant public expense
- do not provide any certainty about the long-term management of Australia’s radioactive
waste, - are not consistent with international best practice in relation to siting, community
consultation or procedural fairness around radioactive waste, - do not recognise or respect long standing South Australian legislation prohibiting any federal
radioactive waste facility.Against the current context of uncertainty and disruption due to the impact of Covid 19 the further
uncertainty and contest generated by the federal government’s approach to radioactive waste is not
helpful or justified.
Western Australian uranium projects floundering, as Cameco’s Kintyre environmental approval lapses
K-A Garlick at Nuclear Free WA, 6 May 20 The environmental approval for the Kintyre uranium project expired in March this year. So there is no valid environmental approval for Cameco. There can be no mining without changing or getting new environmental approval. This is great news for the campaign and shows the uncertainty of the uranium industry and Cameo who had applied for an extension but latter withdraw their application. It is great for the Martu community who have held strong and resisted over these many years. Let’s hope their beautiful country will one day be given back!
Keeping a track on all four projects and the process of asking questions on notice through State Parliament, we have found that Toro Energy, have failed to submit their annual environment reports on the Wiluna uranium project. This matter is now being pursued by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety to ensure the report and plans are provided and any appropriate compliance action is taken.
Further good news, Yeelirrie is getting some really good attention with some upcoming media from the Freedom of Information process that has been investigated through the Australian Conservation Foundation that found an alarming lack of transparency in the Federal approvals process. The documents show that Cameco lobbied the former Federal resource Minister, Matt Canavan to fast track the approvals process and to change the conditions. If you haven’t seen the presentation from ACF, please click here.
We are excited organising a series of webinar nuclear talks that will focus on local, national and international impacts of Australian uranium industry. We will announce next week further details, but lock in Wednesday 10 June 5.30pm – 7 pm (tbc).
Time for an independent Inquiry into the true effects of a nuclear waste facility on an agricultural community
Susan Craig shared a link. Fight To Stop A Nuclear Waste Dump In South Australia A representative from the Kimba and Hawker districts SHOULD APPLY FOR A GRANT TO FUND an independent inquiry into the true adverse effects of a nuclear waste facility facing the health of the community, denigration of reputation for the agricultural industry, detrimental effects of real estate in the region and the immediate and long term safety for the people of Eyre Peninsula and South Australia No Radioactive Waste Facility for Kimba District Food South Australia Flinders Local Action Group Flinders Food Co.https://www.stockjournal.com.au/story/6745828/funding-available-to-nuclear-affected-communities/?src=rss&utm_email=14353853cbRadioactive Waste Management Taskforce pitching an old Community Benefit Program as something new
Kazzi Jai Fight To Stop A Nuclear Waste Dump In South Australia, 7 May 20, What is old becomes new again it seems! This “new” Community Benefit Program is actually the “old” 2019 Community Benefit Program – which was announced by Matt Canavan on October 8th, 2019…. which just “conveniently” coincided with the posting out by Kimba Council of postal votes on October 3, 2019. (Hawker/Quorn ballot was held a month later due to a SWOT analysis being requested by Flinders Ranges Council as a stipulation to the ballot voting proceeding)>This Community Benefit Funding is not an “extra” but was part of the agreement to remain in Phase 2 of the process in 2019 and was actually “owed” to both Communities (…as much as “bribe” money can be owed, but that is another story…)
Spin, spin, spin… https://www.facebook.com/groups/941313402573199/
Coronavirus shows that international co-operation is essential, as it is for climate action
Coronavirus hasn’t killed globalisation – it proves why we need it The 
Conversation Sunil Venaik Associate Professor of International Business, The University of Queensland, May 6, 2020 “………………… One person practising social distancing during the pandemic might think their effect is negligible. But coronavirus is highly infectious: on one estimate, a single person with coronavirus could eventually infect 59,000 others.
Similarly, many countries seek to avoid responsibility for taking climate action by claiming their contribution to the global problem is small. The Australian government, for example, repeatedly points out it contributes just 1.3% to the world’s emissions total.
But on a per capita basis, Australia is one of the world’s highest emitters. And as a rich, developed nation, we must be seen to be taking action on cutting emissions if poorer nations are expected to follow suit. So actions Australia takes will have major global consequences.
Act quickly
In the two months it took the virus to spread from China and become a global pandemic, other nations could have readied themselves by amassing test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment. But many nations did not adequately prepare.
Of course the world has had a far longer time to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The time lag between emissions and their consequences is years, even centuries. There has been ample opportunity to take progressive and thoughtful corrective action against climate change. Instead, the crisis has been met with complacency.
Challenges ahead
As others have noted, a major supplier of swabs used for coronavirus testing is based in Italy, and a German company is a primary supplier of chemicals needed for the tests. Many counties rely on foreign suppliers for ventilators, and an Indian firm – the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer – says once a COVID-19 vaccine is ready for mass production, it will supply large volumes to the world, at low cost.
It’s clear that international cooperation is critical for effective mass testing and treatment for the virus. Nations must work together to improve production and distribution, and resources must be shared.
So too is cooperation needed to deal with the worldwide economic downturn. The global recovery will be long and slow if nations adopt sovereign mindsets, putting up barriers to protect their own economies.
With the coronavirus as with climate change, working together is best way to secure humanity’s safety, health and well-being. https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-hasnt-killed-globalisation-it-proves-why-we-need-it-135077
More new data indicates another record hot year for 2020
Global warming pushes April temperatures into record territory, as 2020 heads for disquieting milestone, WP, By Andrew Freedman, May 5 Last month tied for the warmest April on record for the globe, as 2020 hurtles toward the warmest year milestone.New data, released Tuesday from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, lends further support to the prediction that 2020 will rank among the top two warmest years recorded.
In April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, using its own temperature monitoring data, reported that there is a 75 percent chance that 2020 will become the planet’s warmest year since instrument records began in 1880, and very likely long before that.
Human-caused climate change from increasing amounts of planet-warming greenhouse gases is vaulting temperatures higher, making it easier for a given month or year to set a new warmth milestone. Carbon dioxide is the most important long-lived greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, released by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil for energy and transportation.
Daily carbon dioxide levels measured at the summit of Mauna Loa in Hawaii have reached 418 parts per million this month, the highest level in at least 3 million years. It’s expected that the monthly average value for 2020 will be set this month, and will be near 417 ppm, compared with last year’s measurement of 414.7 ppm.
The new Copernicus data shows a huge area of crimson red for the month of April, denoting much-above-average temperatures, across northern Asia, especially Siberia.
Temperatures were also well above average for the month across northern and coastal central Greenland, parts of Antarctica, areas of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean……. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/05/05/global-warming-pushes-april-temperatures-into-record-territory-2020-heads-disquieting-milestone/
Is Trump losing the opportunity to end America’s useless endless wars, as the military are affected by COVID 19?
Trump Must Choose Between a Global Ceasefire and America’s Long Lost Wars
Like his predecessors from Truman to Obama, Trump has been caught in the trap of America’s blind, deluded militarism. Portside, May 5, 2020 Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies
As President Trump nears the end of his first term, he knows that at least some Americans hold him responsible for his broken promises to bring U.S. troops home and wind down Bush’s and Obama’s wars. Trump’s own day-in-day-out war-making has gone largely unreported by the subservient, tweet-baited U.S. corporate media, but Trump has dropped at least 69,000 bombs and missiles on Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, more than either Bush or Obama did in their first terms, including in Bush’s invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Undercover of highly publicized redeployments of small numbers of troops from a few isolated bases in Syria and Iraq, Trump has actually expanded U.S. bases and deployed at least 14,000 more U.S. troops to the greater Middle East, even after the U.S. bombing and artillery campaigns that destroyed Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria ended in 2017. Under the U.S. agreement with the Taliban, Trump has finally agreed to withdraw 4,400 troops from Afghanistan by July, still leaving at least 8,600 behind to conduct airstrikes, “kill or capture” raids and an even more isolated and beleaguered military occupation.
Now a compelling call by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a global ceasefire during the Covid-19 pandemic has given Trump a chance to gracefully deescalate his unwinnable wars – if indeed he really wants to. Over 70 nations have expressed their support for the ceasefire. President Macron of France claimed on April 15th that he had persuaded Trump to join other world leaders supporting a U.N. Security Council resolution backing the Secretary General’s call. But within days it became clear that the U.S. was opposing the resolution, insisting that its own “counterterrorism” wars must go on, and that any resolution must condemn China as the source of the pandemic, a poison pill calculated to draw a swift Chinese veto.
So Trump has so far spurned this chance to make good on his promise to bring U.S. troops home, even as his lost wars and ill-defined global military occupation expose thousands of troops to the Covid-19 virus. The U.S. Navy has been plagued by the virus: as of mid-April 40 ships had confirmed cases, affecting 1,298 sailors. Training exercises, troop movements and travel have been canceled for U.S.-based troops and their families. The military reported 7,145 cases as of May 1, with more falling sick every day.
1 This month
25 October – Film –Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story – part of the Adelaide Film Festival,
Screening and Conversation
A screening of Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story (2024) followed by a talk with 2026 Bettison and James Awardee and Tradtional Owner Karina Lester in conversation with Simone Tur.
When: Sun 25 Oct, 12:00pm-Screening, 1:15pm-Talk
Where: The Mercury
Free admission, register below by clicking on BUY TICKETS and select free event tickets, at end of web page:
https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/program/2026/britains-nuclear-bomb-scandal-our-story
.
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
