Australian government snubs international climate talks
Australian Youth Climate Coalition 8 November 13 Greg Hunt MP just announced that our Government will not send an Australian Minister to the UN climate talks in Warsaw next week.
Instead they will repeal our only climate change policy.
If they won’t lead we will. November 17th we will show our Government what climate leadership looks like.
Australia’s “nuclear debate” will reveal the unaffordable costs of nuclear power
“A debate based on the facts will inevitably find that nuclear energy is much more expensive than wind or solar.”
“I welcome the debate but I am surprised that Mr O’Dea as the chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee would be promoting a technology that is more expensive than the clean options.”
Nuclear debate will expose dangers, costs http://nsw.greens.org.au/content/nuclear-debate-will-expose-dangers-costs 5th November 2013
A debate over nuclear power for Australia should not become an excuse for inaction on transitioning NSW to 100 percent renewable energy, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye was commenting on Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea’s call for another look at the controversial technology (‘MP calls for rethink on nuclear power’, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 Nov, p. 4, http://j.mp/HwXFb2). Continue reading
Waubra residents dissociate themselves from anti wind farm group
Waubra Wednesday #9 – Community demands its name back from anti-wind farm group On 1 November 2013, the Waubra community ramped up its campaign to reclaim its name from an anti-wind farm campaign group known as the Waubra Foundation. Yes 2 Renewables November 6, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank Fed up with the town’s name being tarnished by claims of a ‘Waubra disease‘, community leaders have sent a petition with 316 signatures to the anti-wind farm organisation asking them to stop using town’s name. Yes 2 Renewables applaud the community’s effort on the issue.
“Waubra is associated with wind towers. We don’t mind that,” Waubra wind farmer Doug Hobson told The Courier. “With the turbines people actually take more notice of our town as they pass through.
“But when you Google ‘Waubra’ the first thing that comes up is something negative about our town. People would think that everyone in Waubra doesn’t like wind farms, and that is not the case,” Hobson added.
The petition was sent to the Waubra Foundation just days after they announced more anti-wind farm campaigners to positions in the organisation, such as retired Liberal MP Alby Schultz who is slated to lobby the Abbott government. Yes 2 Renewables commented on the appointments at Climate Spectator.
It’s clear the Waubra Foundation has no credible claim to use the town’s name. Yet will the Foundation heed the wishes of community members or will it ignore them? Time will tell. For now, Yes 2 Renewables will keep an eye on the situation…….
Petition Text……
Cover Letter sent with the petition….
Bullying tactics by the anti wind farm lobby
Bullying from wind farm opponents a pattern of behaviour http://yes2renewables.org/2013/11/07/bullying-from-wind-farm-opponents-a-pattern-of-behaviour/ November 7, 2013 by Leigh Ewbank Last week, The Canberra Times reported that anti-wind farm campaigner Tony Hodgson has threatened legal action against neighbours who host turbines. The following is a letter to the editor published by the paper:
Anti-wind farm campaigner Tony Hodgson’s threats to sue neighbours who host turbines (‘Threat of legal action against wind farm hosts,’ October 29, p6) are not new.
Earlier this year it was reported that Maurice Newman, business advisor to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and board member of Tiger Airlines, issued a similar threat to Crookwell sheep farmer Charlie Prell. In both cases, the legals threats were made in relation to alleged health impacts of wind farms.
There are now 19 reviews by credible health bodies that show wind energy is clean and safe. It’s time for anti-wind farm groups to accept this and stop bullying potential turbine hosts–people who are seeking a drought-proof income stream for their farm and act on climate change.
It’s OK for people to have disagreements about the aesthetics of wind farms in the bush. Most Australians can accept that. What’s unacceptable is bullying behaviour in the form of legal threats. It’s divisive and prevents communities from assessing the merits of wind farms.
BHP used Australian spy agencies targeting Japan and China
Australian spy agency helped BHP negotiate trade deals The Age, November 7, 2013 Philip Dorling BHP was among the companies helped by Australian spy agencies as they negotiated trade deals with Japan, a former Australian Secret Intelligence Service officer says.
A former diplomat has also confirmed Australian intelligence agencies have long targeted Japanese companies. Writing in The Japan Times, Professor Gregory Clark said Australian companies were beneficiaries of intelligence operations.
“In Australia, favoured firms getting spy material on Japanese contract policies and other business negotiations used to joke how [it had] ‘fallen off the back of a truck’,” Professor Clark wrote.
Business information is a main target for [intelligence] agencies, he said. “The targeting is also highly corrupting since the information can be passed on selectively to co-operative firms – often firms that provide employment and cover for spy operatives.”…….The former spy says informal exchanges with business executives were continuing when he retired in the 1990s. More recently, US diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks and published by Fairfax Media in 2011 revealed former BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers privately offered “to trade confidences” with US officials about China.
”Kloppers has a keen interest in learning everything he can about the Chinese and is not shy about asking us for our impressions,” US Consul-General Michael Thurston reported to Washington in 2009. BHP declined to comment at the time. : http://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-spy-agency-helped-bhp-negotiate-trade-deals-20131106-2x1sw.html#ixzz2jzqhzexO
Former Liberal P.M. John Howard – climate sceptic and nuclear enthusiast
“My view is that the nuclear option should be kept on the table. As it becomes more economic to have nuclear power, we should entertain it.”
Former PM John Howard advocates use of nuclear power, unconvinced on climate change ‘catastrophe’ ABC News, 6 Nov 13, Former prime minister John Howard says claims about global warming are exaggerated. Mr Howard’s comments came ahead of a speech he is set to deliver to the Global Warming Policy Foundation in London.
The foundation is a think-tank established by Nigel Lawson, a former British chancellor of the exchequer, one of the UK’s most prominent climate change sceptics, and father of TV chef Nigella Lawson.
“I am opposed to putting a ludicrously heavy financial burden on often poorer people in the community in the name of shifting to renewables when I am unconvinced that catastrophe is around the corner,” Mr Howard said……
The former PM said he “respected” the science on climate change and was in favour of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He said nuclear power, shale oil, and gas from fracking were the solutions to the world’s energy needs…….
“My view is that the nuclear option should be kept on the table. As it becomes more economic to have nuclear power, we should entertain it.”
Speaking about Australia’s uranium reserves, he said it was hypocritical for Australia to export uranium for international consumption, but not to use it for domestic power generation. He was reluctant to be drawn on Tony Abbott’s climate policies, but was critical of links made by some between the recent bushfires and global warming. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-06/howard-says-helping-people-out-of-poverty-more-important-than-c/5072162
Film “Utopia” to be shown in Australia on 26 January
..You have been documenting this struggle for decades. What change would you most like to see next?
One word: treaty. That’s the beginning.
John Pilger, Utopia 5 November, 2013 | By Andreas Wiseman Veteran journalist and BAFTA-winning filmmaker John Pilger returns to the screen with new documentary Utopia, about the plight of indigenous Australians. Pilger, who has reported discrimination against Australia’s first people since the 1970s, describes his new film as “a journey into a secret country” describing “not only the uniqueness of the first Australians, but their trail of tears and betrayal and resistance – from one utopia to another.”
Interviewees include Aboriginal leaders, human-rights campaigners, academics and politicians, among them former prime minister John Howard.
Never one to shy away from controversy, the film will be released in Australia on Australia Day (or ‘invasion day’, as Pilger also calls it) and will play at indigenous festivals including Sydney’s Yabun Festival. Continue reading
How quickly Australia could transition to renewable energy
Australia’s rapid renewables transition – all it needs is policy (good tables, graphics) REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson on 5 November 2013 Australia has the opportunity to make an incredibly rapid transition to a mostly renewable energy-based grid within two decades with a strong carbon price and other incentives, but will most likely maintain the status quo and increase emissions from its grid if the carbon price is removed.
That is the broad conclusion of the Climate Change Authority’s draft investigation into the emissions reduction potential for the electricity report, included in a 245-page appendix to the 176 page overview released last week.
The scenarios unveiled by the CCA would make even the most optimist Green policy seem modest in comparison. By 2030, it says, renewables could make up 69 per cent of Australia’s generation (that includes a large slab of geothermal) and by 2050 the grid could be almost emissions free.
That is almost a complete reversal of the current make-up of Australia’s electricity grid, which is dominated by coal and is one of the most energy intensive in the developed world. This table below outlines the scenarios envisaged under the modelling.
The prognosis is not really that outlandish. Renewables already compete with new build fossil fuel generation, Continue reading
John Pilger talks about his new film “Utopia” about Australia
John Pilger’s film Utopia, about Australia, is to be released in British cinemas on 15 November and in Australia in January
In the lucky country of Australia apartheid is alive and kicking John Pilger The Guardian, Wednesday 6 November 2013 “…….The parliament stands in Barton, a suburb of Canberra named after the first prime minister of Australia, Edmund Barton, who drew up the White Australia Policy in 1901. “The doctrine of the equality of man,” said Barton, “was never intended to apply” to those not British and white-skinned.
Barton’s concern was the Chinese, known as the yellow peril; he made no mention of the oldest, most enduring human presence on Earth: the first Australians. They did not exist. Their sophisticated care of a harsh land was of no interest. Their epic resistance did not happen. Of those who fought the British invaders of Australia, the Sydney Monitor reported in 1838: “It was resolved to exterminate the whole race of blacks in that quarter.” Today, the survivors are a shaming national secret…….
According to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth report, Australia is the richest place on Earth.
Politicians in Canberra are among the wealthiest citizens. Their self-endowment is legendary. …… Continue reading
Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea calls for ‘safe, affordable’ nuclear power as climate change solution
MP calls for rethink on nuclear power, SMH November 4, 2013 Sean Nicholls A Liberal MP has renewed his push for serious consideration of nuclear power generation in Australia, arguing the risks are overstated and disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima can be avoided with modern technology and safety standards.
In an article for the journal Energy News state MP for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, says nuclear energy is a “proven supplier of secure, affordable base load power” and the issue of nuclear waste is “manageable”……
Mr O’Dea says carbon dioxide from burning coal and natural gas is “undoubtedly contributing to damage to our oceans and atmosphere…..
The comments come as Resources and Energy Minister Chris Hartcher prepares to announce which mining companies will be invited to apply for uranium exploration licences in NSW following last year’s lifting of a 26-year ban. The ban on exploration has prevented a clear understanding of potential uranium deposits in NSW but the government says it is aware they may exist around Broken Hill.
Premier Barry O’Farrell has said that despite lifting the ban the government is “not about to rush into uranium mining http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mp-calls-for-rethink-on-nuclear-power-20131104-2wxbo.html#ixzz2jntFzRRo
Australian company Silex in solar and nuclear developments
enriched uranium demand would remain depressed in the next two to three years due to the shutdown of nuclear plants after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster i
China solar backers sought in Australia, South China Morning Post Silex, claiming a technology edge, is talking to state-backed power generators for investment in an expansion of a major solar farm project Eric Ng eric.mpng@scmp.com 05 November, 2013 Silex Systems, an Australian solar energy and nuclear fuel enrichment technology firm, is in talks with Chinese state-backed power generators to invest in its major solar farm project in Australia and buy its equipment to develop projects in China.
The company, listed in Australia and the United States, commissioned a 1.5 megawatts solar farm in Victoria in July, and plans to build a 100MW expansion project on the same site late next year.
Its 1.5MW plant is Australia’s first grid-connected solar farm based on so-called concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology.
Silex chief executive Michael Goldsworthy said the company had started talks with two of the mainland’s five state-owned power generation groups about investing in the proposed 100MW project, and for them to buy equipment from Silex to develop solar farms on the mainland. Continue reading
South Australia gets world’s first wave energy converter
Oceanlinx launches wave energy converter in Australia, Renewable Energy Magazine, Dan McCue Monday, 04 November 2013 Australian wave energy company Oceanlinx team launched the world’s first 1 MW wave energy converter — called ‘greenWAVE’ — on 25 October 2013 in TechPort Adelaide in Australia. By the end of the year, Oceanlinx Ltd.along with the Port MacDonnell community will be celebrating the long awaited connection of the ‘greenWAVE’ energy converter unit to the grid in South Australia.
Built and launched from TechPort in Adelaide, the $7 million project will be the first of its kind to be commissioned in the world. The groundbreaking demonstration unit received $4 million from the federal government in a bid to make the project ready for market.
Once connected to the grid, the unit will be rigorously tested for the best part of 2014, the company said in a written statement.
Based on the Oscillating Water Column principle, the technology is one of the most tested and matured technologies in the wave energy sector.
The unit is completely environmentally friendly sitting under its own weight on the seabed in shallow water with no anchors, mooring or attachment to the seabed. It is expected to act as an artificial reef for sea life. It has no moving parts under the water and is designed to withstand the most aggressive sea conditions. With ease of access to the weather tight power house placed above the sea level, the through life management costs are kept to the minimum…….http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/article/oceanlinx-launches-wave-energy-converter-in-australia-20131104
AUDIO: Farmers and householders can benefit from Mildura area’s renewable energy developments
North west Victoria tapping into renewable energy http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/ag-energy-victoria/5067808Vic Country Hour By Brett Worthington Nov 2013, Victoria’s north west is quickly developing a reputation as the state’s clean energy heartland.
Near Mildura, there are plans to build a power plant that uses waste from almond, grape and grain growing. Just meters away is a 
one of Australia’s largest solar electricity plants, which features satellite dishes covered in mirrors.
Melbourne University researcher David Coote says agricultural communities can slash their bills if they embrace renewable technology. “Somewhere like Mildura could easily target going 100 per cent renewable,” he said. Continue reading
Peter Reith’s conflict of interest on “expert” task force about coal seam gas.
Advice is compromised, The Age, Russell Edwards, 5 Nov 13 Lobbyist Peter Reith, who chaired the state government’s ”expert” taskforce regarding the expansion of coal seam gas, is employed by First State Advisors and Consultants Pty Ltd. Among its clients are Thiess Pty Ltd and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, both major players in the CSG industry. That the government would take advice from such a compromised party is disturbing. …… http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/actions-underpinned-by-greed-not-compassion-20131104-2wxj1.html#ixzz2jnlts1AD
Defeatism emerging in the Australian uranium industry
Uranium plunge clouds outlook ROBIN BROMBY THE AUSTRALIAN NOVEMBER 04, 2013 JUST as one quarterly report hit the screen proclaiming uranium was at a new eight-year low, the spot price promptly shed another US50c — and thus was born an even newer eight-year low.Spot uranium sank to $US34.75 a pound during the week, a long way from the record $US136/lb it hit in 2007 during the yellowcake frenzy.
Then we had about 260 listed companies that each boasted at least one uranium project. Now we are left with the brave few.
In this space exactly a year ago, we took a relatively upbeat view of the sector. Australia had finally begun uranium sale talks with India (the new federal government may sign the deal by year’s end) and the new Queensland government had lifted its uranium mining ban.
Wisely, this column said it was too early to make the call that the uranium market had bottomed, but that at least the remaining players in the sector were upbeat.
Ditto for this month: still too early, and the brave are still battling on.
And, if the price falls close to $US30/lb, defeatism could emerge. The quarterly report mentioned above came from Manhattan Corp (MHC), which has an inferred 7800 tonnes of uranium at its Ponton deposit in Western Australia. It’s run by Alan Eggers, who seems never to tire of arguing uranium’s story. –
……..Toro Energy (TOE) is positioning itself to be Western Australia’s first producer. But not at current prices. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/uranium-plunge-clouds-outlook/story-e6frg9if-1226752388347#sthash.Wv1Mhsta.dpuf
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)
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