(Reposting this important one)Ziggy Switkowski’s doublespeak pushes the nuclear lobby’s barrow
Noel Wauchope 31 Aug 19 He’s an expert at it.
What the nuclear industry wants is the removal of Australia’s Federal and State legislation that prohibits the nuclear industry in Australia.
Ziggy delivers.
Sure, he makes motherhood statements about nuclear dangers, about costs etc. He even gives a subtle little tick to that distracting fantasy – small modular nuclear reactors.
But Ziggy faithfully conveys the central message of the global nuclear lobby to Australia:
To 26 August – Nuclear and Climate News
The thing about climate change is – it’s all happening faster than we expected! Only a few days ago, MEDIA MATTERS was highlighting the way that mainstream media was practically ignoring the Amazon forest fires. That is changing. World leaders are now alert to this international tragedy.The Amazon fires bring to the fore the awful dilemma facing climate scientists in telling the public the truth about the world’s climate crisis.
The recent Russian nuclear accident cast a bit of gloom over Russia’s launching of its floating nuclear reactor for the Arctic region. Questions are still flying around about the radioactive illnesses and deaths involved in that accident. Also – a general recognition of the Russian government’s record of secrecy about nuclear accidents.
I suspect that the USA and UK nuclear industries are getting pretty desperate about their commercial future, and the necessity to export new nuclear technology. There’s a hasty push going on in Australia to buy Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. In a rater undignified rush, there are no less than 4 separate Parliamentary Nuclear Inquiries going on, with abnormally short times permitted for Submissions.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR Queensland Labor and Liberal Coalition say NO to nuclear power.
Nuclear weapons – the underlying aim in the new push for nuclear power?
Brief notes/summaries on pro nuclear submissions to Federal govt. Early submissions to Australian govt Inquiry slightly favour nuclear power.Economist John Quiggin on Submissions to Parliamentary Nuclear Inquiries. One gem from the pro nuclear Submissions to FEDERAL. Inquiry into the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia. EcoEnviro’s great submission to ‘Inquiry into the prerequisites for nuclear energy in Australia’. 17 submissions now published to Federal Nuclear Inquiry. Nuclear submissions: people are “doubling up”? Sending the same submissions to 2 different Inquiries. About the CURRENT NUCLEAR SUBMISSIONS.
Reaction against Robert Parker’s nuclear reactor plan for Ipswich, Queensland.
Council announces dates for Kimba radioactive waste ballot. Flinders Ranges Council delays nuclear waste dump ballot. Secrecy in Sinister Matt Canavan’s meeting with nuclear waste dump organisations in Hawker, South Australia. Resources Minister Matt Canavan in Kimba : pressing for a ‘Yes” vote in nuclear waste dump ballot? South Australian law – No public money towards nuclear waste dumping facility.
Lynas’ radioactive waste – still a toxic issue in Malaysia.
Wiki cables show Australia thinks Iran is not the aggressor.
CLIMATE
- Labor urges Morrison govt to pressure Brazil to protect Amazon forests.
- One year on, how good is Morrison’s climate and energy denial? Australia losing credibility with Pacific nations, as Morrison supports coal, not climate action.
- Scott Morrison’s failure in diplomacy: the Pacific Forum and climate change. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is an international embarrassment.
- Bass Coast Shire Council declares Climate Emergency.
- Ageing coal plants put Australia on map of global air pollution hotspots.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Solar sends Queensland wholesale day-time prices to zero six days in a row. 5B plans solar “speed record” for 10GW plant in north Australia. Prices hit zero again across the grid as renewables output tops 10GW. Coalition MP Keith Pitt wants Queensland to leave main grid! Schwarzenegger-backed start-up helps Australia wind farms duck negative prices. Landmark deal to power Coles underpins three NSW solar farms. Global industrial giant Molycop turns to wind and solar for half its electricity needs.
INTERNATIONAL
Distinguished scientist Martin Rees – world must fight climate change, don’t waste tax-payers’ money on space travel.
Massive wildfires are burning across the world- July was hottest month ever. New fires – hundreds – in Amazon rainforests. Life on Earth threatened by climate change – loss of Amazon Forests.
Sea level rise only half the story – climate change is altering ocean waves.
Chinese Academy of Sciences warns on the safety hazards of new nuclear .
Nuclear news to 19 August
The repercussions of the Russian explosion at a missile test centre continue. However, the radiation release was brief, and did not extend beyond the region, and not to neighbouring countries. There was confusion and secrecy following the explosion and Russian doctors were kept in the dark about patients being nuclear accident victims.
Attention has moved to questioning the missile project, – a mystery new nuclear weapon, dubbed Russia’s ‘flying Chernobyl’. What is clear, is that, in the month when we commemorate the nuclear tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, – the world, led by Donald Trump, is ripping up arms control measures, and ramping up nuclear weapons development.
I haven’t been able to keep up with the news on climate change – extreme weather events in various countries, the UN report including humanitarian effects, the costs, injustices, and inability to meet the goal of confining temperature rise to 1.5 C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHdcpxmJ6vg In a powerful symbol, Iceland holds a funeral for the first glacier lost to climate change.
A bit of good news: a win for Aboriginal people in the abandonment of uranium mining in Australia’s Northern Territory. Mirrarr people to lead the Kakadu region’s transition.
AUSTRALIA
Australians need to rally in support of Julian Assange.
Time that Australia stopped blindly following USA into wars.
$40 billion a year needed for infrastructure to catch up with our population growth.
NUCLEAR. False statements on nuclear power by Federal Liberal National Party MP Keith Pitt. Victoria parliament decides to hold its own nuclear power inquiry. DELAY is the most salient reason why Small Modular Nuclear Reactors can’t work in Australia.
Nuclear waste: 21 August Senator Matt Canavan to hold closed meeting , then 2 open ones, in region designated for nuclear waste dumping. Kimba committee even discussed transitioning out of the site selection process. Why is the Australian government planning a nuclear waste dump in an earthquake zone? Nuclear waste dump: Barngarla group says indigenous ballots won’t fix its worries over vote discrimination,
CLIMATE. Pacific islander nations fed up with Australia’s inaction on climate change. Australia tells Pacific Islands to “reflect” on climate action, dial down “crisis” talk. Australia demands Paris targets be removed from Pacific Islands communique.
South Australian students plan more climate action -“No jobs on a dead planet”. Reserve Bank issues another warning to companies to take climate risks seriously. Bankrupted traditional owner vows to keep opposing Adani.
Investigative journalism: Australian investigative journalist Mark Davis explodes the myths around Julian Assange. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZkyLoaMvRg
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Solar investors give Australia wide berth, thanks to Morrison’s lump of coal.
INTERNATIONAL.
Climate change killing nuclear power? nuclear reactors can’t cope with water needs, as temperatures rise.
Cyber wars – as dangerous and deadly as nuclear wars ? Warning of 10 year totally dark Earth. – after a nuclear war between the US and Russia.
The Anthropocene is not an epoch. It’s a passing blink in geological time.
Nuclear news – week to 12 August
NUCLEAR. This week , the spotlight has been on Russia, as conflicting and ambiguous reports come out, about a Russian rocket test explosion that caused radiation levels to spike in the Arkhangelsk region. The Russian nuclear agency Rosatom finally admitted its involvement. Russia honours as ‘national heroes’ the 5 nuclear scientists who died in this suspected secret testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile.
CLIMATE. While governments and the older generation in general continue on their merry way with business as usual, young people are ever more concerned about climate change. It’s THE issue at this week ‘s International Congress of Youth Voices, in Puerto Rico. High school students are organising Youth Climate Strikes. Why stay in school if our planet will die?
AUSTRALIA
Three Parliamentary Nuclear Inquiries are now underway, with short deadlines for submissions. (You can bet that the nuclear lobby’s well-paid shills have sent theirs in already.)
National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Taskforce’s heavy-handed, repressive, approach to community consultation. It’s even more undemocratic than the one in Wales, UK. Federal nuclear waste management “consultative committees” – secretive – a farce? Nuclear waste: residents near proposed dump told to sign draconian code of conduct. Bangarla people call on Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt to intervene in support of their vote on nuclear waste dump.
Jervis Bay and previous governments’ secret plans for nuclear weapons.
Does Energy Minister Angus Taylor REALLY believe that nuclear energy would be viable in Australia. Energy Minister Angus Taylor orders inquiry into nuclear energy – a distraction from Australia’s climate policy failure?. Australia’s Liberal Coalition government still dreaming about nuclear power.
Australia’s strategy for ‘new nuclear’ – based on non-existent plant! Small Modular Nuclear Reactors don’t operate anywhere yet – but USA companies are keen to sell them to Australia. Nuclear advocate Switkowski admits that Small Modular Reactors have big problems.
Australia needs intelligent long-term energy policy – nuclear does not ‘stack up’. Pro nuclear promoter Warren Mundine back on the propaganda trail.
CLIMATE. Australian coal lobby plans another multi-million PR campaign. EnergyAustralia plunges into red after massive writedowns, coal problems.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Queensland officially opens its first completed large scale wind farm. Stunning low costs inspire Alinta to ramp up renewables push, sees early coal exit. Rooftop solar slashes demand levels and emissions across main grid . AGL plans more storage as it eyes $200 billion energy transition opportunity, Finley solar farm starts sending power to NSW grid.
INTERNATIONAL
How the viewing public was ‘protected’ from seeing what the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombing did to people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uas1WtocwOo Hiroshima nuclear bombing, and the birth of the Doomsday Clock.
Another expensive nuclear weapons race about to take off. Putin And Trump are ‘normalising’ the increasing numbers, and the use, of nuclear weapons.
Wildfire cloud study sheds light on the processes of ‘nuclear winter”
Harm to astronauts’ brains from space radiation.
Even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is concerned about radioactive trash management from Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
Hiroshima – Nagasaki week – nuclear news Australia
There’s a not at all funny irony in that significant nuclear weapons decisions have been made by USA and Russia in this anniversary week.USA formally withdraws from nuclear treaty with Russia and prepares to test new missile. Putin warns that Russia will follow if USA develops new nuclear missiles. A dangerous nuclear arms race likely to follow, if the New Start Treaty is not renewed. USA Democrats struggle with Senator Elizabeth Warren and others’ determination to change America’s present “presidential first use” policy, and make it official U.S. policy not to be the first to use a nuclear weapon.
Intense heat waves have swept Europe this summer, breaking temperature records in at least a dozen countries. Scientists have warned that the world should expect more scorching heat waves and extreme weather due to climate change. July confirmed as the world’s hottest month ever recorded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhquFHITt8Y
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says no USA missile base in Australia – (not YET, anyway).
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby urges Australia to sign up to nuclear weapon ban treaty.
Angus Taylor, Australia’s Minister for Coal and Nuclear, wants to launch Inquiry into nuclear power. Nuclear power in Australia to be examined by multi-party parliamentary inquiry. Small modular nuclear reactors for Australia? Labor demands that the federal government outline potential locations for nuclear power plants. No investment appetite for nuclear- says Ziggy Switkowski. Barnaby Joyce’s fantasy for Australia– nuclear unicorns?
Paul Richards refutes Heiko Timmers’ push for Australia to import nuclear wastes.
What would it really take, for Australia to get “its own nuclear deterrent”?.
New South Wales Parliament inquiries on uranium, nuclear, and energy.
Yeelirrie uranium project court outcome shows environment laws in need of urgent repair.
Australian govt ignored nomination panel, appointed uranium industry’s Vanessa Guthrie to ABC Board.
Looks as if Malaysia will let Lynas keep its radioactive wastes there, after all.
CLIMATE Emissions auction flop rams home climate policy failures as Taylor blames election timing. Australia’s government, lackey of the coal industry, in denial over climate change. – says former Liberal leader.
water. Drought-stricken NSW braces for an early bushfire season with not enough water to take them on. Australia’s one great river system – Murray-Darling Basin Plan ‘untenable’ – corrupt? Water shortage hitting Queensland town Stanthorpe.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Windlab’s sol ar-wind-battery project finally connected to Queensland grid. AGL shows off what will be Australia’s largest wind farm. Victoria solar rebate “disaster” as August quota fills in 90 minutes.
INTERNATIONAL
Samantha Smith – a 10 year old who acted to reduce nuclear weapons.
The Myths, the Silence, and the Propaganda That Keep Nuclear Weapons in Existence. Collapse of the INF treaty could be followed by the expiry of New Start. What Exactly Is Nuclear ‘No First Use’?
Nuclear power will ‘lumber into extinction,’ ex-regulator says. Nuclear power has never been financially viable.
Major problem for astronauts – radiation damages mood and memory?
The week in Nuclear News – Australia
Oh it’s climate again! How can we ignore it? This time, it’s not just the heat-waves across the Norther hemisphere, but the effects of that hot air moving to the Arctic. Greenland and the Arctic in general, are headed for a record sea ice melt. It will be an unprecedented ice loss – ultimately rapid loss will lead to rising sea levels.
Nuclear news? There doesn’t seem to be much. Is that because the important stuff is kept secret, or at best, pretty quiet? Russia is the best at this. Now it is revealed, by an international team of scientists, that in September 2017 there must have been a nuclear accident at the Mayak nuclear reprocessing facility in Southern Russia. It’s the only feasible explanation for the cloud of Ruthenium-106 across Europe in late September.
New economic research discusses nuclear power’s real costs – ‘seven decades of economic ruin’. (a brief report on this is here)
Bits of good news – International kindness to Chernobyl children from radiation-contaminated areas – but more help is needed. For First Time Ever, Scientists Identify How Many Trees to Plant and Where to Plant Them to Stop Climate Crisis
AUSTRALIA
It’s climate here, too. Except that the current Australian government doesn’t believe that climate change is a serious problem. Australia is in an unprecedented drought – long-lasting, and across wide areas. With this government, “water shortage”is becoming an unmentionable political term like “climate change”. (Officially no human -caused climate change in Australia) but Queensland towns are running out of water. And Norther Territory towns are running out of water.
- Chair of the Energy Security Board, Kerry Schott says Feds “can’t get their act together” on climate, so states will step up.
- Papua New Guinea Prime Minister urges Australia to help island nations threatened by climate change.
- Noosa the first Queensland council to declare a climate emergency – Mayor explains why.
- Adani’s Carmichael coal mine surviving on lifeline from Indian parent company.
NUCLEAR.
- Australian Senate passes motion to retain Australia’s ban on nuclear power. Australia’s legal ban on nuclear power will remain, says Environment Minister Sussan Ley. Flynn electorate, Queensland, would be happy to host nuclear power plant, National Party MP Ken O’Dowd says.
- Restrictions on operations of Lucas Heights nuclear reactor, following a litany of safety incidents. To add to its safety problems, ANSTO has had to increase prices for nuclear medicine from the Lucas Heights reactor.
- New Minerals Council chair Helen Coonan speaks out for nuclear power, and for Adani coal mine. Australia’s right-wing push for nuclear power is really a ruse to promote the coal industry.
- News South Wales South Coast touted as the place to site a nuclear power plant. Labor leader Anthony Albanese asks “Where would the Liberal Coalition like nuclear reactors to be placed“? National Party Member for Gippsland Darren Chester makes reassuring, but rather ambiguous, noises against setting up nuclear power.
- State Development Minister Cameron Dick says that nuclear power would gut Queensland. Union opposes nuclear power because it is uneconomic and dangerous.
- Senate moved to call on Senator Canavan to explain nuclear waste dump plan – size of dump, and types of wastes.
- “Smile With Kids”- Queensland welcomes Fukushima children for a much-needed holiday.
- URANIUM. Continuing problem of radioactive waste at Hunters Hill – contamination from old uranium processing site. Rio Tinto moves to own Ranger uranium mine remediation.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Energy minister Angus Taylor a no-show at clean energy summit. Wind and solar turn up ramping pressure in South Australia and Queensland. Queensland drops bidding directions, says wind and solar less than $50/MWh. Solar dominates day-time markets, lifting share and pushing down prices. CEFC looks to energy storage, grid stability, after record spend on renewables. Victoria drafts new guidelines to smooth way for solar farms.
BHP casts doubt on renewables as it commits $US400m to cut emissions – via including nuclear power and carbon capture,
Senate voted on Press Freedoms – Matter of Public importance.
INTERNATIONAL
‘Thermal limits’ – extreme heat effects on the body
The horrors of nuclear weapons testing – 460,000 premature deaths.
New report: nuclear energy cannot be classified as “clean”, nor as economic.
ARCTIC. Unprecedented wildfires in the Arctic release huge CO2 to the atmosphere.
To 23 July – Nuclear and climate news Australia
Again – hard to focus on nuclear issues, as extreme climate events continue. Africa is suffering from a crippling drought, as is Indonesia. Europe Faces Another Record-Setting Heat Wave This Week . India cops both flooding and heatwaves. Record high temperatures in America. Australian writer – outlines the plight not only of his country, but of countries across the globe.
Nuclear news – less dramatic, but still important. In USA and UK, how to fund nuclear development is the preoccupation of the industry. The State of Ohio is just about to finalise a vote for a dodgy plan that will subsidise its nuclear plants, while ending incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Meanwhile the UK plan is for consumers to pay upfront through energy bills, for new nuclear projects before they’re even built, – and might not even be built. Alas, we don’t have access to information on Russia and China, but it appears that both countries are more and more relying on selling nuclear reactors overseas, rather than making them economically viable at home.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. Energy Minister Angus Taylor grilled by Labor, says no to Barnaby’s “free” nuclear fantasy. MP Barnaby Joyce suggests free electricity as an incentive for communities to host nuclear power plants. The National Party’s Barnaby Joyce recommends nuclear power for impoverished rural Australians. The probably insuperable hurdles to Australia getting nuclear reactors. John Quiggan demolishes the case for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in South Australia.
How the Mirrar Aboriginal people, helped by environmentalists stopped uranium mining at Jabiluka.
CLIMATE.
- Five years after carbon price repeal, Australia remains in policy abyss. Australian Greens are focusing on climate change – call for ‘climate emergency‘ this year. Greens push bill to prohibit coal funding.
- Adani coal mine protest: French journalists arrested while filming anti-coal activities. Warning on the likely police surveillance of young climate protestors. Federal Court Adani decision: Wangan and Jagalingou’s rights fight will continue. Adani’s search for scientists’ names – pressure on scientists to shut up about climate change, water scarcity?
No clear answer in sight, for Lynas’radioactive waste problem in rare earths project in Malaysia.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Electricity prices across the grid fall to zero as renewables reach 44% share. Melbourne’s tram network is set to be powered by the state’s largest solar farm. Northern Territory government backs 10GW solar and storage plant, biggest in world . Network plans for Victoria wind and solar sparks outrage from Federal Energy Minister Taylor. Fourth huge solar and battery project approved for South Australia. NSW to loan up to $14,000 to homes for rooftop solar and batteries. Solar industry fights back against surge of climate trolls on social media.
INTERNATIONAL
America’s original moon plan was to explode a nuclear bomb on the moon. A heightened solar cycle, by chance, reduced the exposure of Apollo astronauts to space radiation. Future space travellers will be, in reality, radiation guinea pigs.
Dangerous nuclear arms race to follow, if New Start Treaty is not renewed. World security needs nuclear New Start agreement – USA-Russia, not a distraction about China.
July to be world’s hottest month on record.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Yukiya Amano dies at 72.
New research shows how low dose ionising radiation promotes cancer.
A pity that Australians generally missed out on seeing the “Chernobyl” series
In Australia – the TV miniseries “Chernobyl” has pretty much passed us by, with minimum discussion. That’s because it has been available only on Foxtel. Foxtel does have many subscribers, but they”re mainly on Foxtel so that they can watch the AFL Football, which is the major religion in this country. So – it’ s no surprise that even the majority of Foxtel subscribers are not likely to watch “Chernobyl”.
Hardly remarkable, in a country so devoted to that religion, and secondarily devoted to reality and cooking shows. But a bit of a pity, as the influential, though poorly informed, right wing is pushing for nuclear power in Australia. Watching “Chernobyl” might have given Australians an opportunity to think about the downsides of nuclear power.
This week in nuclear news – Australia
You’ve seen the TV series, now understand that the Chernobyl catastrophe is far from over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5SVDPOcg8o
It’s difficult for me to stick just to nuclear news, as the enormity of the climate crisis becomes more apparent. While extreme events might not be caused by global heating, climate change is exacerbating them and increasing their frequency. Millions of people displaced by floods – India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Tropical Storm Barry spares New Orleans but fuels fears of floods and tornadoes. New research – climate change is worsening wildfires.
Of course, there is a nuclear connection, too. Both floods and fires are potentially disastrous to nuclear power plants. You don’t hear much about this, but the nuclear industry is very worried about floods.
“Climate distress,” “climate grief,” “climate anxiety” – psychological effects on people.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR.
- Robert Parker of Australian Nuclear Association identifies 20 sites for nuclear reactors. Barnaby Joyce jumps on the Australian extreme right wing pro nuclear bandwagon. For Australia – the prohibitive cost and time involved in constructing new nuclear reactors. A warning to Australia on the nuclear cycle of destruction.
- New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro sucked in by slick propaganda from “New Nuclear” lobby.
- Dr Jim Green analyses the Australian super funds’ views about nuclear power. Union push to union trustees to formally exclude nuclear energy from industry super investments.
- The unlikely and unwise process towards Australia getting nuclear weapons. The cost if Australia were to get nuclear weapons – and it’s not only financial. Australia’s security and self-reliance – there’s a better path than getting nuclear weapons. A counterview to Hugh White’s book in favour of nuclear weapons for Australia.
- France’s latest nuclear-powered ‘Barracuda’ class submarine: why did Scott Morrison send Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to France, for the launch.
- Campaigners vow to continue the fight to stop Canberra dumping nuclear waste in South Australia. South Australian communities DID NOT voluntarily enter into process for hosting nuclear wastes. Bangarla Aboriginal people’s Statement on court decision regarding ballot on nuclear waste dump site. Federal court rules against Aboriginal group who wanted inclusion in nuclear waste dump ballot.
- Sydney Morning Herald article provokes Australian pro nuclear troll’s vicious attack on Dr Helen Caldicott.
URANIUM. Huge volumes of water gulped by Olympic Dam uranium mine – even more with expanded mine. BIRDS VS BHP: Evaporation ponds at BHP’s Olympic Dam mine are killing hundreds of birds. Hasty, secretive federal approval of Yeelirriee uranium project shows contempt for the scientific environmental evidence.
.CLIMATE CHANGE. Country towns close to reaching ‘day zero’, as water supplies dry up in the drought. Australia’s military well aware of the security dangers of climate change. Adani demands names of CSIRO scientists reviewing groundwater plans.
RENEWABLE ENERGY –Wind and solar cut rather than boost Australia’s wholesale electricity prices. Wind energy sets new record output in Australia’s main grid. Victoria government resists calls to rein in rooftop solar rebate. Abbott era advisor Maurice Newman re-emerges to oppose Crookwell wind farm.
INTERNATIONAL
U.S., Russia to discuss nuclear arms limits in Geneva.
Heat waves, rising seas, – climate change threatens France’s and UK’s nuclear plants. Even the nuclear industry itself is pretty pessimistic about its future. Recycling nuclear waste still itself produces nuclear waste.
HISTORY. Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 – how close we came to World War 3
To 9 July Nuclear and Climate News Australia
The TV mini-series “Chernobyl” has reminded the world of something that the insurance industry fully understands: even if the probability of a nuclear accident is very small, the consequences of a nuclear accident are very big.
Two current events highlight the risks of nuclear disaster:
14 sailors died in a heroic effort to avert a planetary catastrophe, in a fire accident on a Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea.
Earthquakes in Southern California raise anxieties about the safety of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Station. The Quake That Could Make Los Angeles a Radioactive Dead Zone. What are the risks at closed San Onofre during a big earthquake?
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR.
- Australia would be wise not to mindlessly follow USA into war against Iran.
- Is Napandee, (Jeff Baldock’s property) near Kimba the govt’s chosen site for expanded nuclear waste dump? Have the Nukunu Aboriginal people been consulted about proposed Wallerberdina nuclear waste suppository?
- New South Wales National Party formally adopts pro nuclear policy, Australian unions reject Industry Super’s backing of the nuclear industry . News Corpse comes out with a weird pro nuclear ramble.
- Why Australia should absolutely not contemplate getting nuclear weapons. Not Impressed with Professor Hugh White’s pro nuclear weapons stance.
- Former Environment Minister rejected department advice and approved uranium mine day before election called,
- Uranium contamination in groundwater in an Adelaide suburb.
CLIMATE. Australia now emitting record greenhouse gases.
RENEWABLE ENERGY Victoria rooftop solar rebate in hot demand, with July quota filled in just days. Victorian wind farm to power massive new recycling plant.
The raid on journalist’s home by armed federal police.
INTERNATIONAL
Far from stopping climate change – nuclear reactors are being stopped by climate change.
Special UN meeting to discuss Iran: Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany try to keep nuclear deal.
United Nations warns that climate crisis disasters are happening at the rate of one a week and work is urgently needed to prepare developing countries for the profound impacts. Rich countries are not immune.
Renewable energy racing ahead, close to beating nuclear power.
Recent Nuclear/Climate News Australia
It’s hard to stay focussed on nuclear news, as the climate news really can’t be ignored. As always, non European, non anglophone, and poor countries are copping it most – Climate Change is Devastating India With Heat Waves and Water Shortages. But right now, much media focus is on the Northern hemisphere – new heat records being set across Europe, wildfires, heat records in Alaska.
Climate change problems, and effective remedies, are often ignored. Air-conditioning is both a partial remedy, but also a big cause of global warming. Energy efficiency is the single best answer to climate change, but often a neglected one.
On the nuclear theatre- well, it seems to be all theatre – with Donald Trump basking in the spotlight entering North Korea – no actual negotiation achievement – but then the spotlight itself was the goal. More of a worry is the escaling tension and confusion over Iran, as it builds up enriched uranium, and Europe struggles to keep Iran in the nuclear agreement.
Urgent need for international diplomacy: the world facing a renewed nuclear arms race.
Bonn climate talks: Key outcomes from the June 2019 conference. Despite Donald Trump, the G20 nations (except USA) are sticking to the Paris climate agreement.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. Will Scott Morrison repeat John Howard’s mistake, and join in military action against Iran? Scott Morrison backs Donald Trump in getting tough on Iran.
A new book argues that Australia will need nuclear weapons. Christopher Pyne – Defence Minister in May – Defence Industry Lobbyist in July. Australia’s escalated defence spending, Christopher Pyne and his convenient advice to Ey defence consulting.
Nuclear enthusiasm from Australia’s right-wing MPs – the triumph of quackery over substance. Industry Super Australia (ISA) hitches its wagon to the nuclear unicorn. Energy Users Association of Australia opposes nuclear power: it’s ‘not the answer’.
CLIMATE.
- Energy Minister Angus Taylor ignores investors when he passes the buck on climate policy failures.
- Australia’s religious leaders call on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to act on climate change. A grandmother explains the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.
- Australia grilled on emissions at Bonn – fires back with single slide, dodgy accounting. Tiny nations challenge Australia’s carbon ‘carryover credits’.
- Australia a top G20 leader in subsidising the coal industry. Coal price forecasts: Why we wouldn’t be building a coal power plant anywhere.
- Four Corners let Sussan Ley off lightly on environmental issues.
- Australia missing out on huge cuts in emissions through energy efficiency failure.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. South Australia the leader in energy efficiency . States doing heavy lifting on renewables, but NSW and Queensland lag behind. Rooftop solar rebate reopens to “pent-up” demand in Victoria.
Australian PM fawns over Trump and Bin Salman – how low can we sink?
I dunno about the rest of yers- but as a dinkum Aussie, I personally felt quite sick, at the sight of our Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the G20 summit, cosying up to Mohmmed Bin Salman, leader of the murderous Saudi Arabian regime.
And further, I felt vomitus, at the sight of Morrison fawning over that nasty piece of work, Donald Trump.
You know how low this once proudly humanitarian nation, Australia, has sunk, when our PM gets high praise from the likes of Trump.
The week that has been in nuclear news – Australia
Teetering about on the edge of nuclear war – that seems to be Donald Trump’s favoured position for the world. Or is it just that he is determined to be the dramatic centre of attention at all times? Trump has just threatened Iran with ‘obliteration’, (hardly something designed to give the Iranians confidence about peaceful negotiation). Meanwhile Trump received a “beautiful” letter from North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who in turn received an “excellent” letter from Trump, although actual negotiations between USA and North Korea are at a standstill. It would be funny, if it were not so serious.
A bit of good news: ‘Projects For Good’ – This Ingenious Website Makes it Easier to Change the World
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR
- Busting the spin of Australia’s pro nuclear propagandists. –Resources Minister Matt Canavan changes his tune – now REJECTS nuclear power ! Queensland’s nuclear cowboy MPs join One Nation’s Mark Latham to push for nuclear power. Australian Nuclear Association lobbies government with its “nuclear vision”. Australians’ support for nuclear plants rising – but most don’t want to live near one. Robert Parker still pushing the fantasy that nuclear power could be viable in Australia. Northern New South Wales MP – “NO nuclear power – not on my watch!“
- Ignorance of the Morrison Government on the scientific and medical aspects of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
- Australians are more likely to be scared about the costs of nuclear power, than about the Chernobyl miniseries.
- The reason Australia doesn’t have nuclear power: the workers fought back.
- Two workers exposed to unsafe radiation dose at Lucas Heights nuclear facility’ .
- BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mine: tailings dump to be larger than Adelaide and up to 30 metres high.
Problem of Western Australia’s enormous lithium mining tailings dump. New explorer for rare earths in W.A. – doesn’t mention processing, or radioactive wastes.
CLIMATE. Sydney Mayor Clover Moore declares city climate emergency . Climate change bringing sea-level rise to Victoria’s low-lying towns and suburbs. Environmental groups are now considering a legal challenge To Queensland’s approval of Adani mine. Extinction Rebellion activists occupy four Australian cities protesting Adani.
Australian States taking the lead on energy policy, as renewable energy generates more Queensland jobs than coal does.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Mining industry turns to wind, solar, batteries and hydrogen – Rooftop solar throws massive curve ball to world’s most isolated grid. Australian Capital Territory ACT looks beyond 2020 renewables target, seals community solar off-take deal. Gannawarra battery-integrated solar farm – Australia’s largest – officially opened. Beryl solar farm reaches full output after single month of commissioning.
The Middle East presents a dangerous nexus of nuclear reactors and violence: military action is still an option. “It’s absolutely essential to avoid any form of escalation in the Gulf” – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. World’s nuclear weapons – fewer in number, but not safer.
Nuclear power to solve climate change? Too many sound reasons against it.
Researchers Find Radioactive Particles from Fukushima or other Nuclear Disasters Could Stay in Environment, Human Lungs for Decades.
The world’s societies on the brink of unmanageable climate chaos. Worrying feedback loop between damaged ozone layer and climate change.
The week in nuclear news – Australia
Nations with nuclear reactors are slowly waking up to the fact that mounting nuclear waste is a global emergency. At the G20 meeting in Japan, Japan proposed setting up an international framework for cooperative research into how to dispose of high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants. The first meeting on the framework is planned for October in France.
A bit of good news: First UK Supermarket Chain to Eliminate Plastic From Produce Will Save 1,300 Tons of Plastic From Landfill
AUSTRALIA
Silly talk from Sussan Ley, Australia’s Minister Against the Environment. Pick out the anti-environment statements in Sussan Ley’s spiel!
NUCLEAR. “Chernobyl”s warning: attempts by governments to conceal and manipulate the truth. Energy Minister Angus Taylor contemplates reversing Australia’s nuclear energy ban. In Australia, support for nuclear power is increasingly marginalised to the far-right. In pro nuclear push, Victorian Liberal Democrat David Limbrick (thick as a brick) gets it wrong about nuclear power. Tailings dams at Olympic Dam uranium mine are in the “extreme risk” category.
CLIMATE. Queensland can expect catastrophic heat waves (but then coal is more important than climate, isn’t it?). Australian government’s own data shows that its greenhouse gas emissions policy is failing. Australia’s Federal and State governments keen to frack up the land with coal, gas, nuclear. Queensland clears the way for Adani to begin work on Galilee basin “carbon bomb”. All the same, Adani coalmine: minister loses legal challenge on water pipeline assessment. ‘Stop-Adani’ protest to go global, says Bob Brown. Adani is not about jobs, and never really was. Australia’s governments keen to frack up the land with coal, gas, nuclear. Adani mining project: Court asks Australian govt to look into public concerns. Anti-Adani protests continue in Canberra.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Australia has to look forward on energy, says Zibelman: “We have no choice”. South Australia’s stunning aim to be “net” 100 per cent renewables by 2030. Record wind output in South Australia, thanks to “butterfly” effect of failed coal plant. NSW promises details of solar and storage interest-free loans program soon. Storage is key to NSW government plans, in race to clean energy . Zali Steggall issues call to arms to renewables sector .
INTERNATIONAL
Nuclear power is far from “emissions free”.
Escalating collapse of global insect populations.
Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, Journalism on trial, Scahill, Hedges, Pilger and more: the charges, the defense, what you can do.s seriously working on nuclear decommissioning system.
Nuclear news to 13 June – Australia
Although climate change is still the monumental threat to all life on earth, I’ve decided to return, above all, to the original focus of this newsletter – nuclear news.
The nuclear issue is the perfect subject for examining how prevailing journalism and shonky history distort genuine historiography. And, this week, there’are fine examples of this in articles about the HBO TV min-series “Chernobyl”. There are articles claiming that the series is “inaccurate”, “exaggerated”, and quoting minimal health effects, and the area as a wildlife paradise.
In fact, series writer Craig Mazin extensively researched the subject, to faithfully retell the events of the April 1986 nuclear disaster. Historian Kate Brown thoroughly examined copious records of the huge health toll in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia and reported on this, and on its implications for the future. Daniel Taylor discusses the accuracy of the series, and reflects on the secrecy, bureaucratic mismanagement, and the war on truth which prevails concerning the nuclear industry, both in the Soviet era, and in today’s world, whether East or West.
AUSTRALIA
Australia heads for authoritarian rule, as Federal Police under government control, threaten press freedom. Australia’s police raids on the media will silence whistleblowers. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton “knew nothing” about police raids on Australian media offices, and on a home!! Statement by Ita Buttrose, ABC Chair, on the public’s right to know. Journalists who joined in the attack on Julian Assange may find themselves to be the next victims.
NUCLEAR. Liberal National Coalition’s “nuclear cowboys”. Despite the evidence, the Australian government refuses to accept Chronic Radiation Syndrome in nuclear test veterans. The health toll of Australia’s uranium nuclear industry.
CLIMATE. Australia’s reputation in the Pacific now trashed due to its failure to help, in climate crisis. Adani’s flawed protections for groundwater: its Carmichael mine may dry up ancient desert springs. Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor delayed releasing data that shows greenhouse gas levels continue to rise. Al Gore – Australia is at climate crossroads, – could lead on renewable energy. ClimateWorks to launch platform to track business pledges on zero emissions.
RENEWABLE ENERGY – AEMO to model “step change” in energy transition and major emission cuts CEFC big solar investments pass $1 billion, with stake in Kiamal Solar Farm. Colonial backs solar and battery roll-out in major shopping centres. Sydney Catholic schools install 1.3MW “power generator” worth of solar. Victoria’s biggest solar farm secures finance, may add huge battery. NSW notches up 2GW of rooftop solar, as record installs continue. Renewable hydrogen getting cheaper, Australia could lead global market. Sydney Opera House turns to wind and solar, may add battery for perfect match.
INTERNATIONAL
Investigative journalism : Detailed history of violence of nuclear power – from start, to finish in the very very long future.
These Are the Banks and Financial Institutions Investing $748 Billion in Nuclear Weapon Producers.
Mars and travel to Mars – will kill astronauts with ionising radiation.
Global extinctions of plant species – going at a frightening rate.
A ‘P5+4’ summit could break the nuclear weapons deadlock.
1 This month.
Australians deserve the truth
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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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