Australia and overseas, pandemic, climate, and focus on nuclear news
Covid-19 cases across the globe hit 40 million Monday with the United States leading the world with the highest numbers of infections and deaths. World round-up of coronavirus. cases and restrictions.
Climate change just keeps on – cycloone, floods and landslides.– Vietnam, India. It becomes important to devlop strategies to adapt to global heating.
Nuclear news items stress the need for international agreements on arms control.
But , on the ”peaceful nukes” scene, it is quite extraordinary that propaganda has ramped up enormously, even while the pandemic has actually slowed down nuclear building and other activities, as well as the demand for electricty.
What we’re seeing is a frenzy of small nuclear reactor (SMR) propaganda handouts masquerading as real journalism. In English language news, it’s all about America selling these uneconomic and pretty useless gimmicks to their own population and to overseas countries. The most often praised model, NuScam’s reactor, is even now being touted as ”foreign development aid”. No doubt the global industry is doing the same confidence trick in Russian and Chinese. They need a global burst of tax-payer funded SMR building, to stave off the collapse of the industry.
Some bits of good news –We’ve had so many wins’: why the green movement can overcome climate crisis. International Monetary Fund recommends a carbon price, for the economy as well as for the climate. Solar energy is here with a vengeance – look at South Australia.
AUSTRALIA
CLIMATE. USA election result, and Australia’s response– the world’s climate in the balance. Greens renew call for Green New Deal, describe Morrison’s climate policies as “criminal”.
Climate and clean energy leaders win big in New Zealand, ACT elections.
NUCLEAR. South Australia Upper House [Legislative Council] votes against any radioactive waste repository, upholds S.A.’s law opposing nuclear waste dumping.
Australia a leader in the worst sense – biodiversity loss and risk of ecosystem collapse. Morrison government’s devastating cuts to Environmental research and teaching.
U.S. Deputy Sheriff Australia taken for a ride on an obsolete $90 billion submarine.
Michelle Fahy blows open the disgraceful collusion between Australian politicians and weapons industries.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Australian Energy Market Organisation (AEMO) takes lead role in global consortium seeking rapid energy transition.
INTERNATIONAL.
The attack on journalism – launched with the persecution of Julian Assange.
On climate: instead of denial or despair, there’s determined resolve. Carbon emissions are deeply embedded in our lifestyle – the challenge post-pandemic. Climate disasters – Earth is becoming uninhabitable for millions of humans.
Elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to the “survival of life on this planet”.
Nuclear waste – a danger for countless generations to come.
Resisting nuclear colonialism on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Offshore Wind Energy, Not Nuclear, Is the Future. Study shows that renewable energy is clearly better that nuclear at cutting greenhouse emissions.
Book review: GAMBLING WITH ARMAGEDDON.
Thorium not likely to revive the nuclear energy industry.
This week’s climate, nuclear, coronavirus news – Australia and more
The World Health Organisation has reported 338,779 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded last week, a new daily record.
World press freedom endangered, if UK extradites Julian Assange to America. Assange extradition case could esrablish a dangerous legal precedent.
This election isn’t just about you, America. The world’s climate future – much depends on America’s presidential election. Trump’s psychopathology a threat to US democracy and to global stability.
Some bits of good news – The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The World’s Largest Hunger Program. A New Generation of Young Poll Workers is Stepping Up to Protect the Elderly From COVID-19
AUSTRALIA.
Murdoch media monopoly – an ‘arrogant cancer on our democracy’.
Pretty despicable -tax breaks for company exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia, UAE.
Australia needs a permanent war crimes investigation unit.
CLIMATE. Australian government has Zero interest in the climate . Morrison government again fails on climate ation, snubs renewable energy. Australia now the worst OECD country for climate change action. China’s dramatic plan for switch to renewables – a warning to Australia‘s fossil-fuel economy. Net zero emissions target for Australia could launch $63bn investment boom. Queensland election – all about climate, coal, and minority parties.
NUCLEAR – Labor likely to amend the Nuclear Waste Bill, removing certainty about the Napandee dump happening. Divisions in Labor, over nuclear waste dump plan. Australian government’s controversial Nuclear Waste Bill delayed – not yet debated in Senate till atleast November 9. Federal government hiding its toxic nuclear waste Act under the cover of budget fuss.
Uranium. Clean-up for Ranger uranium mine. Rum Jungle mine still a polluted mess. Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association gets $millions from uranium mining: need for Royal Commission into Native Title.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Solar meets 100 per cent of South Australia demand for first time.
INTERNATIONAL
Why climate change is a time bomb. – Climate future depends on what action humans take. Greta Thunberg: ‘Get everyone to vote for Joe Biden’. Global and European temperature levels for September – hottest on record.
Countries that have included nuclear in their green stimulus plans may want to rethink their strategy. Major study finds that renewables lower emissions substantially, and nuclear power does not. Nuclear power, irrelevant to climate change – and in fact, hinders climate action.
Promises, promises — the media keeps buying the tired old nuclear spin, marketing small reactors.
U.S. and Russian negotiators try to salvage arms control pact.
14 million tonnes of plastic on ocean floor – more on the coasts.
Former world leaders urge those now in power to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Pro nuclear bias in articles in Google headlines.-news.
The past week in nuclear/climate news – Australia
As happens all too often, news media is fixated on you know who. Conflicting stories – Donald Trump ‘incapacitated’ by COVID-19 drug side effects, law professor claims. The White House’s medical team said Donald Trump “has continued to improve” since Saturday and could be released as early as Monday. Darned if I know what to think, and how this might affect the U.S. election.
Fierce fighting continues in the Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict . (The media doesn’t mention the Azerbaijan threat to bomb Armenia’s nuclear power plant. But perhaps it’s Azerbaiji fear of radioactive pollution that prevents this)
A bit of good news – Good living standards for the world can be attained with reduced energy use
AUSTRALIA
Morrison government refuses to sign leaders’ pledge on biodiversity. Australian State laws have weak environmental standards.
CLIMATE. China’s zero emissions target is contrasted with Australia’s inaction on global heating.
NUCLEAR. Pine Gap could play role in accidental US-China nuclear fight . Legacy of Maralinga bomb tests -a reminder of need for safety in matters nuclear.
INTERNATIONAL
‘We have a chance’: David Attenborough says $500 billion needed to save earth. A Positive Narrative for the Anthropocene . Extinction crisis: ′The window of opportunity is closing′. Debunking myths about saving the natural world.
The climate crisis is heating up nights faster than days in many parts of the world. Climate change responsible for record sea temperature levels, says study Coastal flooding will disproportionately impact 31 million people globally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pCqeC5J3Ls
The safety of the world requires a nuclear-free planet.
Julian Assange could face life in America’s most dreaded ‘Supermax’ prison.
From 38 million English-language articles, study shows Trump as world’s biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation. Nuclear power and the mainstream media – a convenient advertising platform?
Lunar base woud have to be underground, due to the danger of high radiation on the moon. On the moon ”normal” humans (i.e males) will get 200 Times the Radiation Experienced on Earth, (what about females?).
‘Reverse course’ towards full nuclear disarmament – UN chief.
Nuclear power is now the most expensive form of generation, except for gas peaking plants’. Nano diamond batteries from nuclear waste? Impractical and not likely to ever happen.
Exposed! Extinction Rebellion fact checks pro-nuclear front. Refuting the nuclear lobby‘s nonsense on risks of ionising radiation. It’s important to bust the pro-nuclear spin.
Ionising radiation – the tragedy of the ”radium girls”
The week in climate, nuclear, (coronavirus) news
Coronavirus, climate change and weather disasters: 2020 has been a hell of a year, so far. Some world leadersat this week’s annual United Nations meeting are taking the long view, warning: If COVID-19 doesn’t kill us, climate change will.
On the nuclear scene, well, really, nothing much is happening. Except for the propaganda. Covid-19 is making the nuclear industry’s problems even worse, so their marketing propaganda is intensifying. Last week it was all about small nuclear reactors. This week, it’s still that, but as an extra push, it’s all about thorium.
Some bits of good news – Over 12 million children, caregivers and teachers reached by UNICEF and Millicom (TIGO) to strengthen child rights across Latin America during COVID 19. The Aahwahan Foundation in India works towards the eradication of poverty, while also focussing on maintaining a sustainable environment.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. From October 6, the Australian Senate will discuss the NATIONAL ISSUE of the Napandee nuclear waste dump plan. Kimba nuclear waste dump – not just a local issue, but only locals were consulted. Kimba mayor Dean Johnson shows his ignorance on nuclear wastes.
Dr Helen Caldicott and Independent Australia bust the media spin on ‘small nuclear reactors’.
CLIMATE.
Australian scientists censored on speaking about climate change. Farmers have called out the federal government’s climate change low emissions policy as selling out an industry for profit. Forget the lobbying. It’s the spin that wins on climate, report finds. Why Australia’s hydrogen industry should be renewables only.
Julian Assange dragged from embassy “on the orders of the president”. Medical experts testify to court on Julian Assange’s precarious mental health. Australia’s media disgrace – the deliberate neglect of the Julian Assange extradition hearing. The media ignores Julian Assange and the Media ‘Trial of Century’.
INTERNATIONAL
When looking at impact of coronavirus, we can’t forget the long-term health effects.
45 nations have now ratified the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Latest World Nuclear Industry Status Report shows high levelised cost of nuclear power. Small Nuclear Reactors look good – on paper!.
Radiation exposure on the moon is nearly three times that on the International Space Station.
Solar and battery ads blocked by Twitter and Facebook move against “political content” . Recharge’s ”must read” news of the week on the energy transition.
Nurdle alert – plastic pollution the next eco calamity for decades.
Australia’s media disgrace – the deliberate neglect of the Julian Assange extradition hearing
”Fair” castigates the international media for ignoring the Assange case – the “Media Trial of the Century”. But hey ! What about the Australian media? Julian Assange is an
Australian. When our citizens overseas commit murders and drug trafficking, it is all over our media, about their plight in the overseas justice system – pages and pages, TV and radio broadcasts. Then the benevolent Australian government bends over backwards to save their bacon. But when it comes to Julian Assange – only courageous mentions by the soon to be demolished ABC .
Our whole media – News Corpse and the ABC ran a big campaign on “Press Freedom” – Assange didn’t get a mention. Why should I expect them to? Decades ago they pillories Wilfred Burchett for reporting on Hiroshima bombing victims. Kowtowing to USA is the system here.
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.
Nuclear and climate news to 14 September
Every year there’s a ”Year of” something. I’m thinking that 2020 should be called the Year Of Obfuscation”, (another wonderful word that I’ve learned. ) The world needs to cut through this mixture of lies and omissions.
For a start, there’s the wealth of propaganda concerning the coronavirus pandemic. For various reasons, it’s THE topic right now for disinformation. Some world leaders minimise or deny the seriousness of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the WHO reports record increase in daily virus cases. Second wave of coronavirus continues to sweep across Europe.
Climate change denialism thrives, ( -you can add “extinction denial”too.) A climate change denialist is given top role at a major U.S. science agency. But – It’s Climate Change, Stupid. The Berkeley Earth Project– shows that it’s gotten warmer pretty much everywhere and that there really is no factor that can explain this warming other than anthropogenic emissions.
As for nuclear news, tap “nuclear”into Google news, and you will get a stream of articles touting small nuclear reactors as the big future for curing climate change. A rare find in such a stream – Nuclear power is not climate-effective, even if only because of comparative costs and delays.
Some bits of good news – Some positive COVID-19 trends emerged in August in parts of the US, and elsewhere. – New York Turned the World’s Largest Garbage Dump into a Green Oasis of Native Grasses That Also Powers Homes
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s environmental scientists are being gagged. Australia’s environmental law: the danger in moving powers to the States.
Lithium for renewable energy – a Covid recovery way forward for Australia.
NUCLEAR. Dissent and anger: Senate divided over nuke dump push . Deep disagreement on federal radioactive waste plan. Farmers, Traditional Owners fight radioactive waste dump. The nuclear stigma – some Kimba residents selling their assets before the nuclear dump sets sail? Does Australia really need nuclear submarines, and the whole nuclear shebang?
NSW push for uranium driven by ideologues happy with fossil fuels.
CLIMATE– Australia’s nearly 2 $trillion costs by 2050 – if we continue climate change inaction. Scott Morrison will be praying for a Trump win: they see eye-to-eye on doing nothing about climate change. Joe Biden if president will push allies like Australia to do more on climate, adviser says. A legal win for Adani, against climate activist Ben Pennings.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese says: Australia can be a ‘renewable energy superpower’.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. A shift to 90 per cent renewables in the West would create 5,000 jobs a year. South Australia solar power reaches 94 pct of state demand on Sunday. From cottage industry to $7bn powerhouse: How Australian solar grew 100-fold in a decade.
INTERNATIONAL
“Event attribution science” assesses the big role of climate change in weather extremes. Endless summers, endless wildfires. Earth may temporarily pass dangerous 1.5℃ warming limit by 2024, major new report says .
United in Science report: Climate Change has not stopped for COVID19– Why climate change has the potential to cause more pandemics.
Importance of the ocean’s biological carbon pump. Climate engineering: Modelling projections oversimplify risks
Compelling new documentary ‘I am Greta Thunberg’.
INJUSTICE at work? The extradition trial of Julian Assange. Julian Assange’s extradition hearing in London. What can we expect? Professor Paul Rogers – a witness explaining how Julian Assange is to be extradited for POLITICAL REASONS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLJj_L56-YA
Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is getting close to the 50 ratifications needed to bring it into legal force.
Investigative journalism -Big Oil is cheating the public on “recycling” of plastic.
Global population slowdown – good news for the planet’s ecology.
Australia betrays Julian Assange, an Australian citizen
Australia stinks. Apart from a brave effort by Bob Carr, the ABC (Background Briefing) and a few others, the Australian media has ignored Julian Assange. All this while the Australian media recently went on a campaign for “freedom of the press”. ha ha.
As for the Australian government, and most politicians – mealy mouthed spin about “consular support” – is all you get out of them. Exceptions – Andrew Wilkie and a couple of others. I shouldn’t be surprised. We did the same thing decades ago to Wilfred Burchett – who at least was not an Australian citizen. But Julian Assange is. Surely Julian should get the same compassion and help that the Australian government and press give to Australian drug dealers and murderers who are in legal trouble overseas.
Australian government helps two journalists escape Chinese oppression, but no help for Julian Assange to escape American oppression
DOUBLE STANDARDS! What a glaring example of kowtowing to USA!
Julian Assange is not getting fair treatment at the Old Bailey (London) hearing about whether or not he should be extradited to the USA, to face 175 years of gaol, on “espionage” charges. Independent journalists, people from Amnesty, or anyone else likely to give Assange’s side of the story, in reporting this bizarre hearing, is excluded from the courtroom. That’s despite the OLd Bailey’s tradition of an open courtroom.
As far as I can ascertain, they’re now charging Julian with publicising the names of USA agents. But in fact, Assange gave the documents to newspapers, I think it was the Guardian and the New York Times, with an express request to NOT publish those names. And the papers went ahead and published them. Julian didn’t. I also understand that, even then no harm came to any of those agents.
It’s all a trumped up thing. Assange revealed evidence of USA military atrocities. So, like Wilfred Burchett, decades ago, he must be punished by almighty America, and Australia must dutifully follow suit.
September – climate, nuclear, coronavirus news
It’s September, and supposed to be getting cooler in the Northern Hemisphere. But global heating rolls on inexorably. For September, my websites are focusing on the Poles, and on the cryosphere (yes, it’s a word that I’ve only just learned.) Surprisingly, both the Arctic and the Antarctic are seriously involved in nuclear as well as climate, issues.
On the nuclear scene – well, the news media is awash with unashamed handouts from the Bill Gates- Terra Power – GE-Hitachi – SNC-Lavalin etc propaganda about Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. Sadly, these articles do not examine the claims made about “fighting global warming”. I guess that journalists need to keep their jobs.
Coronavirus live news: India reports global one-day record of over 90,000 cases.
A bit of good news – Mirrar Aboriginal people at last have control of Jabiru, as Ranger uranium mining set to end operations.
Some more good news about the pandemic –Dr. Fauci Reveals Some ‘Good News’ About COVID.
AUSTRALIA
Morrison government rushing to make Austraia’s environment laws even weaker: a recipe for extinctions. Australian government, masks its anti-environment action under the cover of Covid-19. Environment Law: Scott Morrison’s government shows its disdain for ZaliSteggall and the cross-benchers. Aussies call for tougher environment laws.
Murray-Darling River system; mysterious loss of more than 2 trillion litres of water.
CLIMATE. Parliament Covers Up Australia’s True Carbon Footprint . The Energy Security Board puts “coal exit strategy” at centre of energy market shakeup. Battle lines drawn over future of CEFC, as Taylor gets wires crossed on gas.
RENEWABLE ENERGY.
- GreenPower seeks to revive interest, launches refreshed brand. Cheaper, cleaner, more reliable: How renewables are winning energy trifecta.
- Victoria says new transmission vital as second wind and solar tender attracts “strong” interest. Rooftop solar charts second-best month of 2020, despite Victoria Covid plunge. Victoria seeks 600MW wind and solar to power hospitals, schools and trains.
- Approved inverters and agents named for strict new rooftop solar controls.
- N.S.W. Goulburn community solar farm cuts ties with Siemens over Adani coal connection.
- South Australia. Tesla VPP expands to add virtual Big Battery to South Australia grid.
- Queensland Foresight says Queensland solar problems to be resolved soon, falling prices take toll.
- Western Australia. Repower WA with Renewables: 90% by 2030. Rooftop solar: W.A. sets new record low for grid demand, two other states set winter lows.
- Northern Territory. NAIF backs 10MW solar and battery plant in Northern Territory.
INTERNATIONAL
Julian Assange due in court in latest stage of fight against US extradition. ‘He won’t survive’: Julian Assange’s partner pleads for his release.
Sea level rise from melting ice sheets matches worst-case climate warming scenarios. Six Portuguese youth file ‘unprecedented’ climate lawsuit against 33 countries . Viruses could be harder to kill after adapting to warm environments. Geoengineering to counter global heating? It’s a risky gamble.
Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Shown to Cause Cancer in Review of 26 Studies.
The atomic bombing cover-up and the reporter who revealed it to the world. Students unaware of nuclear weapons and the existential threat that they pose. It’s time to be fearful of nuclear war again. Two excellent new books on a nuclear-weapons -free world.
Risks of cyberattacks on nuclear reactors.
Renewable energy can save the natural world – but if we’re not careful, it will also hurt it.
Climate protestors stop Rupert Murdoch’s press in Britain.
To 1 September – climate, nuclear, coronaviurus news
During August, with the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, my websites have focused on nuclear weapons. And so have prominent websites like Beyond Nuclear International. In the wider media world, attention has been on the coronavirus pandemic, with some attention going to the climate crisis, and weather extremes. We know that the pandemic is a global threat to human society. Most people are aware of global heating.
Yet as a subject of concern, nuclear weapons and the risk of nuclear war, seem to be taboo. During this month of commemoration of those horrible nuclear bomb events of 1945, governments of the nuclear-armed nations continue to spend obscene amounts of tax-payers’ money on nuclear weapons. The Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom released its very sobering report on this.— Assuring Destruction Forever: 2020 edition.
The nuclear industry struggles on, fraught as it is with scandals, bribes, corrupt politics and lies. At least from USA, you occasionally get to hear about this: the mind boggles at what it’s like in Russia and China. Of course, the Internet is awash with pro nuclear propaganda – nuclear helping fight coronavirus, nuclear “solving” climate change, nuclear waste giving us new batteries, Bill Gates teaming up with some other nuclear gee-whiz gimmick -providers – all to be done at tax-payer cost, of course.
Some bits of of good news – Some evidence that – People have lasting immunity To COVID-19, even after mild cases.
Scientists Uncover Secret In Centuries-Old Mud, Drawing A New Way To Save Polluted Rivers.
AUSTRALIA
ABC sacking of journalist Emma Alberici – part of years of ABC management kowtowing to the Australian government. –Journalists have been let down by ABC management.
NUCLEAR. Indecent haste in Australian government’s push for law making Napandee the nuclear waste dump. What’s going on? Report on the latest Senate hearing on Nuclear Waste Amendment Bill. Draconian legislative changes in the government’s new nuclear waste Bill. South Australian MP Peter Treloar says “Kimba nuclear waste dump is a federal issue”, but he’s fine with it anyway. ‘Nuclear will never happen in the Latrobe Valley‘.
Australia entangled in the military-industrial-intelligence-security complex .
Liberal govt to transfer national environmental protection to the States – open slather for BHP’s uranium mine expansion. Disarray in New South Wales Right-wing parties, over One Nation’s Bill to overturn ban on uranium mining.
Australian government seeks to regurgitate Tony Abbott’s anti environment laws.
CLIMATE. Nearly 90% of young Australians want real action on climate change. Big business, energy and unions call on Morrison to wake up to climate risks. Gas is not a transition fuel to a safe climate. That ship has sailed. Renewables and Covid-19 combine to cut Australia’s greenhouse emissions. Book: The Carbon Club -Tony Abbott and the ‘people’s revolt’ against Gillard’s climate policy. Traditional Owners block road to Adani coal mine in central Queensland. Adani quietly rebranding Abbot Point terminal as company hit with $107m damages bill. Coal generation kills 800 a year in Australia, says new report.
Cut through the propaganda. Population growth is NOT good for Australia.
RENEWABLE ENERGY New wind and solar improving grid reliability and lowering costs, AEMO says. Construction begins at Australia’s largest community-owned solar farm.
INTERNATIONAL
Nuclear nations have handled COVID-19 the worst . Global coronavirus update – India’s huge jump in infections, but USA still leads in cases.
Welcome to the ‘Pyrocene,’ an Epoch of Runaway Fire. Major holes in ozone hole treaty must be addressed to avert stronger climate change.
Big oil looks to solve its problems by flooding Africa and Asia with plastic.
“Super Swarm” drones– weaponry as destructive as nuclear weapons.
The corrosion of radioactive waste disposal canisters based on in situ tests .
Analysing the evidence on effects of ionising radiation on wildlife.
Minigrids – the clean energy revolution across Africa and Asia.
ANTARCTICA. Ice melting at a surprisingly fast rate underneath Shirase Glacier Tongue in East Antarctica.
I am appalled at what is being done to Julian Assange
As an Australian, I am appalled at what is being done to Julian Assange. But not surprised, when I think upon it Very similar things were done decades ago, to Wilfred Burchett. His crime was to go to Hiroshima and report on the sufferings of the people after the atomic bombing. While not an Australian, he had strong connections here, so was banned from this country.
Ever a colony, Australia kowtows to the military industrial complex, and cannot tolerate those who speak truth about it.
I understand that Julian Assange is supposed to be a supporter of the nuclear industry. My websites and campaign are about opposition to that industry. People can’t seem to get it – that I don’t care what Julian thinks about that. The point is (a) this man is being treated cruelly, and (b) freedom of speech, justice, fairness – don’t we care about this?
This week’s nuclear, climate, coronavirus news
On the coronavirus scene – it’s pretty much same same. Spain registered more than 8,000 new cases in 24 hours, France also reported a second consecutive day of more than 4,000 new cases. USA leads the world in Covid-19 deaths, and exceeded 70,000 confirmed infections per day in July – recorded 43,000 new cases on Thursday. With no usable vaccine yet available, the most prominent tool governments have at their disposal is to confine their populations or enforce social distancing. Still, the World Health Organisation hopes that the coronavirus crisis can be over in two years. Making everything more difficult, disinformation about vaccines is flourishing.
Climate change: 2020 Is proving another disastrous year for our Earth’s climate. Don’t blame the IPCC – at least they warned us. Once again, the Arctic is the star, in this ongoing global tragedy.
The nuclear lobby keeps toting small nuclear reactors as clean and green, and journalists and politicians keep buying that story. The U.S. Democratic Party now supports the nuclear industry, making it indistinguishable from the Republicans on this issue.
Some bits of good news. The Latest COVID-19 Tests Work Without ‘Tickling Your Brain’. Large Blue Butterflies Were Extinct in England, But Now Those Beauties Are Back After 50 Years. Beautiful Mural in Warsaw Eats Up Smog, purifying the Air, Equal to 720 Trees.
AUSTRALIA
International Lawyers Make Urgent Appeal to British Government- not to extradite Julian Assange.
NUCLEAR.
Pointless to remove New South Wales Uranium mining ban, as uranium glut continues, and nuclear industry declines. Uranium mining to become legal in NSW, as govt supports OneNation in nuclear push – NSW to start mining uranium after agreement on plan to lift ban. Uranium ban brought benefit to New South Wales. New South Wales Nature organisation calls for the State to remain free of uranium mining.
Reject the racist, undemocratic National Radioactive Waste Management Amendment Bill. Dept of Industry hiding the facts on choice of Kimba nuclear waste site. Conflict of interest in Kimba Community Liaison Officer’s connection to nuclear waste dump push.
BHP’s Uranium mine Olympic Dam makes a financial loss for second year running.
Military to Weapons Sales – Professor Peter Leahy and the revolving door.
CLIMATE. Adam Bandt urges another Labor-Greens coalition for climate action.
Labor Left weighs up plan for ‘drastic’ climate policy How to avoid a housing industry bloodbath – invest in making buildings more efficient.
We’ve been electing governments that damage our children’s future.
The end of the environment – Bob Brown. Slowing of population growth could be a good thing for Australia.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Wind and solar output surge to new record high in main grid. How rooftop solar is eating into Australia’s biggest coal generator. West Australia’s biggest solar farm sails to full generation capacity. Many car dealers are simply not interested, or don’t have the information, to deal with Electric Vehicle inquiries. Solar drinking water for Adelaide, as Happy Valley Reservoir adds 5B array. Golden Plains wind farm set for 2021 construction after Supreme Court win. Researchers find black and white solution to wind turbine bird deaths.
.Artificial Intelligence brings a new worry into nuclear weaponry.
Take the money away from nuclear weapons – spend it on Covid-19 relief. The Prospects of Nuclear Disarmament in the New Nuclear Architecture.
Greta Thunberg on the global inaction on climate change.
Unprecedented rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
28 trillion tonnes of ice have disappeared from the surface of the Earth since 1994.
Global warming is bringing new “fire regime”all too quickly. Experts are calling for international collaboration to combat wildfires.
Book Review- Tempting Fate – Nuclear Politics.
ARCTIC. Heat from the ocean’s interior contributes to loss of Arctic sea ice. Permafrost will thaw faster, as global heating causes more rain in the North. Greenland’s meltdown taking flight.
To 18 August – nuclear, climate, coronavirus news
As always, hard to know what is the most important issue this week. But, for sure, the coronavirus pandemic is still there. Latest global data: Total cases 2, 534, 611 deaths 771,106. New daily cases 212,487 – deaths 4,181. In the USA, in states such as Texas, a prevailing libertarian spirit prevents people from taking precautions, such as wearing masks. The world is headed for an economic depression, and recovery depends on a vaccine and effective treatment for Covid-19.
Meanwhile – global heating moves on inexorably. The last decade has been the Earth’s hottest on record-bringing weather extremes, heatwaves, fires, storms. AND – there’s the pandemic infectious diseases connection, too – while heat brings an increase in mosquito-affected areas, with the diseases that they transmit, it also thaws permafrost, releasing microorganisms. Climate study looks at humans’ exposure to extreme temperatures during 21st century.
Hiroshima and the normalisation of atrocities. In August, attention goes to the nuclear disarmament movement,. There are moves towards achieving a nuclear weapons-free world, for example, steps that put pressure on the nine nuclear weapons nations. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons is working hard to achieve the 50 national ratifications that will make the Treaty on the Prohicition of Nuclear Weapons become international law. United Nations promotes the role of young people in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
Some bits of good news: New studies reveal good news about coronavirus immunity. No cruise is good news for Venice.
AUSTRALIA.
NUCLEAR. Although Australians started a move to abolish nuclear weapons, The Australian government tried to sabotage the U.N. nuclear ban treaty. The human toll of nuclear testing in Australia and Oceania. Radio 3CR interviews Dave Sweeney, of Australian Conservation Foundation, on matters nuclear.
National Radioactive Waste Dump plan. – Senate Inquiry. On 17 August the Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry- Public Hearings go Secret. Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry gets vague and incomplete answers from Department of Industry. Kimba area locals point out the unsolved problems of nuclear waste transport to Napandee.
CLIMATE. Australia must place climate action at centre of coronavirus recovery, chief UN economist says. Australia’s doctors call for a climate-focused COVID-19 recovery plan.
Torres Strait Islanders claim climate change affects their human rights – Australia govt tries to stifle their claim.
Australian government using COVID recovery strategy to bolster its mates in gas industry. BHP backtracks on dodgy Kyoto accounting trick, puts fossil fuel lobby groups on notice. Climate Change Is a Security Threat to the Asia-Pacific.
Reserve Bank modifies energy tender from 10 pct to 100 pct green energy.
BHP shareholders demand immediate stop to mining that disturbs Aboriginal heritage.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Lots of news at https://reneweconomy.com.au/
INTERNATIONAL
Climate stabilization: Lessons from the corona crisis. $6.6 trillion in annual GDP at risk as Asian climate warms – McKinsey Global Institute. Business as usual equals many extra deaths from global warming.
Surviving the nuclear bomb at Nagasaki 75 years ago showed me nuclear weapons shouldn’t exist. A new splurge on nuclear weapons marks the Hiroshims/Nagasaki anniversary.
Nuclear weapons, nuclear war, remain a global existential threat. Only luck has saved us from nuclear war, not planning. All too often the world has narrowly avoided World War 3, due to mistakes. A Major Nuclear Arms Treaty Expires Next Year. What Happens Next? Urgent need to stop the erosion of nuclear arms treaties -multilateral disarmament forum. Nuclear weapons countries have an obligation to lead in nuclear weapons control – U.N.
The development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the need for research.
ARCTIC. GREENLAND. Past the tipping point: Greenland glaciers will continue to lose ice, no matter what. Arctic permafrost is thawing, as the region experiences unprecedented heat.the life of Koeberg nuclear power plant .
17 August: The Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry- Public Hearings go Secret
This is my impression of events
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 