Climate sceptics Monckton and Plimer have no scientific credibility
they should present this data, analysis and research in exactly the same way as other scientists do. They should publish it in peer-reviewed journals. They should subject their allegations to the rigorous scientific system
Hot air, cold air ABC The Drum Unleashed, by Alex Cook 29 Jan 2010 This week we have seen the travelling roadshow of Lord Christopher Monckton and Professor Ian Plimer spruiking their views on the climate change debate……We should have no issue with Ian Plimer and Christopher Monckton having something to say.
What is at issue is how they put their case. Science has a structure to resolve such issues. Continue reading
Time for Australians to invest in renewable energy
As always, the market will shift suddenly when it does and being exposed to the wrong companies well, just remember you were told.
WAKE UP AUSTRALIA: Seize the low-carbon opportunity Business Spectator -by Paul Gilding 28 Jan 2010 “……………There is no realistic scenario for Carbon Capture and Storage being able to deal with carbon emissions at a time and a price that will prevent renewable energy winning the market for clean energy. Continue reading
Govt secrecy over nuclear waste transported to Woomera
Fears of nuclear waste dump site at Woomera KIM WHEATLEY, The Advertiser 27 Jan 2010) “The public needs to know and the traditional owners have a right to be aware.”
CONCERN is mounting that a site near Woomera may become the de facto radioactive waste dump for Australia.
This follows criticism the Defence Department failed to notify the public it was moving radioactive waste 450km from Edinburgh RAAF to a new waste dump at Woomera over the Christmas break. Continue reading
Greens to promote energy efficiency and renewables
there will then be space in the 20 per cent target to bring on large-scale wind and other renewable energy sources,” Greens Senator Christine Milne
Greens renew push for energy target changes ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 27 Jan 2010 The Greens are making a fresh push for changes to the Federal Government’s renewable energy target scheme, saying it is blocking investment in large-scale projects.
They will introduce a Private Members Bill when Parliament resumes next month to change the way energy efficiency measures such as solar hot water and heat pumps are treated. Continue reading
Nothing stops Australian uranium exports ending up in nuclear weapons
A credible safeguards regime for Australian uranium exports depends on having a credible safeguards agency. Sadly, the federal government’s Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) is anything but.
Nuclear Safeguards and Australian Uranium Export Policy — Friends of the Earth Australia, by Jim Green 25 Jan 2010 There is a long history of nuclear power facilitating nuclear weapons programs …….The larger part of the problem is real or feigned interest in nuclear power providing a rationale for the acquisition of enrichment plants, reprocessing plants and research reactors and a rationale for the development of cadres of nuclear scientists and engineers whose skills can be put to use in weapons programs………… Continue reading
Roxby Downs, Ranger – who’ll clean up, who’ll pay?
Relevant to the proposed BHP Roxby new open pit and to the Ranger expansion – will they leave nothing but waste and cleanup bills (comment from David Noonan)
Call to levy mining firms for green fund KIM MACDONALD, The West Australian January 26, 2010,
Former scientist of the year Jorg Imberger has called for a five per cent levy on mining companies to pay for social and environmental programs, amid revelations only a fifth of export sales money stays in WA. Continue reading
Cherie Blair will represent aboriginal nuclear victims in UK court case
Cherie Blair to work on SA compensation case ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 25 Jan 2010
The wife of the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, will represent five Aboriginies seeking compensation for ill health caused by nuclear testing in South Australia’s outback during the 1950s. Continue reading
Powering Australia with solar energy
How Many Solar Panels To Power Australia Renewable Energy News 25 JANUARY, 2010 Supporters of solar power often wonder how many solar panels it would take to power Australia and if grouped together, how much land would they occupy?
We can estimate the land coverage needed thanks to a project from the Land Generator Initiative. Continue reading
Victorian govt fails to support Milldura’s solar plant
Tennis funded, solar power left hanging Green Left Ben Courtice, Melbourne23 January 2010“…..Save Solar Systems spokesperson Chris Breen said: “The Mildura solar power plant would provide jobs and real climate action, for not much more than the $363 million being directly given to upgrade the Tennis Centre. Continue reading
Is nuclear energy a reasonable option for Australia?
Nuclear power and Australia John Quiggin January 21st, 2010 There’s been a bit of discussion about nuclear power lately, but it tends very much to the abstract. I thought I would look into the question of when, if ever, nuclear power might be a reasonable option for Australia to consider, and how we should go about it.
An obvious starting point is the Switkowski report commissioned by the Howard government, which I’ve uploaded here. There are three main points which allow me to provide an answer to the question, at least for the next decade or so.
(i) In the absence of a substantial carbon price nuclear power is not competitive with coal
(ii) First-of-a-kind (FOAK) nuclear plants are likely to be very expensive (above $80/MWh), not competitive with wind or gas (even with CCS)………………minimal conditions can’t be met before 2025 at the earliest.
The US, which has been attempting for a decade to restart its nuclear industries is still at the pilot stage, exploring a number of technologies, and offering to subsidise the construction of three plant designs for each major option. Most of the proposals are on existing sites, only six have reached the point of a plant actually being ordered, and none is anywhere near starting construction……..
……That suggests that Australia should forget about nuclear power entirely for at least the next five years. If things are going well for nuclear, and not so well for renewables, that would be the time to start setting up regulatory structures, looking for sites and so on. http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2010/01/21/nuclear-power-and-australia/
Interim carbon price would mean a start to action on climate change
We are under no illusions that this solution is perfect. It is clearly a third or fourth best solution. But, unlike the CPRS, there is no way it can hold back climate action.
This deadlock helps no one. The community is denied action on the climate crisis, the business community is denied the investment certainty it craves, the government looks increasingly impotent and the opposition looks like spoilers.
Interim carbon price preferable to time-wasting political stunt Christine Milne: The Australian January 22, 2010 There is a solution to this deadlock, one that Ross Garnaut suggested a year ago in his final report, Continue reading
Greens proposing practical carbon scheme
Unlike Kevin Rudd’s scheme, it would be in surplus from the start and there would be no compensation for the coal and electricity sectors and less assistance for high-emitting industries.
Greens propose interim carbon tax ABC News By Alexandra Kirk for AM 21 Jan 2010 The Greens are attempting to break the political deadlock over emissions trading by suggesting an interim two-year scheme with a fixed price on carbon.Greens Senator Christine Milne is writing to the Government and the Opposition proposing a carbon price of $20 a tonne…………. Continue reading
Greens call upon Rudd to help Australia’s nuclear veterans
“We know the Australian government was complicit in these tests which saw many soldiers used as human guinea pigs..”
Time for Rudd to step in and ensure justice for Maralinga nuclear vets: Scott Ludlam 20th January 2010, The Australian Greens are dismayed by the Rudd Government’s refusal to help Australian veterans of the Maralinga atomic bomb tests of the 1950s and 60s. Continue reading
“Australia Day” celebrates shameful land grab
That these horrors began on January 26, 1788 is why many Aboriginal leaders denounce Australia Day as Invasion Day and call for the date of Australia’s national day to be changed to one that can be celebrated by all Australians.
Indigenous Peoples: 222 years of struggle for Australia’s Aboriginals Peter Robson
Green Left Online 17 Jan 2010 “………Colonisation then took the form of taking land. The land grab was justified by the doctrine of Terra Nullius, which said the native people of Australia were simply fauna, not owners of the land that colonists stole. Continue reading
Australia participated in sabotaging progressive initiatives at Copenhagen
On December 18, the international NGOs Avaaz and the Climate Action Network awarded Australia their Fossil of the Day award for “bullying Tuvalu and other small island nation states”.
Australia’s dirty role at Copenhagen Green Left Simon Butler16 January 2010 With the help of an all too submissive local media, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has crafted an image for himself as a world leader on climate change. This image took a beating at December’s Copenhagen climate change summit. Continue reading
1 This month
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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