Pre -Christmas week: dancing on the climate/nuclear Titanic?
I know. It’s just not what you need to hear in the week before Christmas. Unfortunately, I am reminded 
by the wonderful Katharine Hayhoe that even if you ignore, or even disbelieve in scientific findings – they are still there, still real.
At the bottom of this newsletter, I attach my picture – my rather jaundiced view of Christmas preparations. My two big influences this week come from Radio Ecoshock. Firstly – we’ve underestimated global warming. Our current path heads to worst 5 degree warming. And, there’s suppression of climate facts, and some disinformation on global warming. My second – it’ s the same as last week’s – Future Earth may be home to grass, bugs, and maybe, – maybe – a few humans. It’s a hot radioactive world.
Well – on with the dance –
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. “Significant radiation dose” received by Lucas Heights worker in nuclear accident.
Unrealistic call for rural Australians to host Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).
Nobel Peace Prize to ICAN. “My people are still suffering from Australia’s secret nuclear testing” – Australia resists efforts to ban nuclear weapons, and Australian Prime Minister snubs ICAN Nobel Peace Prize win.
Federal nuclear waste dump plans. AUSTRALIA’S RADIOACTIVE WASTE: WHAT TO DO WITH IT? WHERE TO PUT IT? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? WHY KEEP PRODUCING IT? Call For Senate Inquiry Into South Australia’s Proposed Nuclear Dump Sites Aboriginal custodians ‘in dark’ over nuclear waste dump plans.
CLIMATE. For Australia’s cities, climate change is already here. Despite the Turnbull government, Australia quietly waking up to the existential threat of climate change. Australia’s top companies ignore climate change, and we let them . AGL resists govt pressure, goes for gas, wind, solar – not coal.
Adani coal megamine plan. Traditional Owners Want To Delay The Government Removing Their Rights Over Land Adani Wants To Mine. Having won the Queensland election, Annastacia Palaszczuk will be vetoing the Adani coal megamine. Queensland Premier’s first act will be to veto Adani railway line loan. The Greens will not stop “until this mine is stopped’. Traditional Owners fighting Adani make demands of new Queeensland Labor Govt.
Audit office slams Australia’s dud investments in “clean coal”.
ENERGY. Any integrity Turnbull ever had is now blown as he kowtows to the Right on energy.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation passes 1GW big solar milestone, after backing two new projects. Tesla big battery goes the full discharge – 100MW – for first time . Byron bay’s world-first solar train gets ready to trundle. How Sydney could become a zero-carbon city. lots more at reneweconomy.com.au
Nuclear and climate news to December 8th – Australia
Can Humans Survive? Nuclear weapons and climate change both threaten our existence, but with different time scales and probability.
Closer to the nuclear brink: American air drills begin over the Korean peninsula. The human consequences of nuclear war: a new medical plea against war.
Nuclear news in America is getting more intriguing – with more being revealed about the shady nuclear deals done by Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. It’s enough for Trump’s lawyers to be concerned, as Flynn is now co-operating with the FBI investigation into the Trump campaign and Russia.
On the climate front – when it comes to climate predictions – the most accurate ones are turning out to be the worst case scenarios. Even in rich countries, climate change is already costing us all financially, and it’s going to get worse.
AUSTRALIA
Turnbull govt might still try to restrict environmental groups.
NUCLEAR.
- Senator Claire Moore refutes arguments of Australia’s pro nuclear lobby.
- Over 1000 protest in Adelaide against Federal nuclear waste dump plan.
- Pine Gap: peaceful protestors sentenced to fines, not gaol.
- Significant wins by the Greens for the nuclear free cause in South Australia.
- Ipswich residents not all taken in by the pro nuclear hype. Salesman for Small ModularNuclear Reactors (SMRs) says Ipswich, Queensland, should have them operating by 2030. The ignorance of Australia’s nuclear pushers – Cory Bernardi and Co.
- Did thorium pollution cause cancers and deaths in the Tweed Valley?
CLIMATE. Banks warned of ‘regulatory action’ as climate change bites global economy. Climate change preoccupies the mind of Kevin Rudd.
Adani. Adani coal project in a financial pickle, as Australian and Chinese banks refuse funding. Greens Members of Parliament arrested at anti Adani coal mine protest. Greens MP to tour Queensland region to campaign against Adani coal plan. Adani referred to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) over its misleading job promises. Traditional owners aiming to block native title ruling on mine site. Wangan and Jagalingou Aboriginal claim that Adani paid people to stack meeting.
ENERGY. Australia’s first offshore wind farm in Victoria, wins international funding. Lots of renewable energy news at http://reneweconomy.com.au/
The week to December 1, in nuclear and climate news – Australia
The Kim Jong Un – Donald Trump warlike bombast continues, when what is needed is restraint and diplomacy. North Korea unveils a ‘monster’ new intercontinental ballistic missile. Trump administration considers a‘preventive strike ‘ against North Korea – the very worst option.
Always a silver lining, though. Businessmen in Britain and South Korea are enthusiastically marketing new underground bunkers. Their Chumdan Bunker System chief executive officer Go Wan Hyeok said “I’m wishing that he presses the button and shoots the bomb! ” “I want to then open up showrooms in Europe and in the UK”
The twin threats of climate change and nuclear pollution join together, as rising seas caused by climate change are seeping inside a remote island nuclear waste dump.
University research indicates that global warming will accelerate as CO2 levels rise.
AUSTRALIA
Lidia Thorpe, Victoria’s first Aboriginal woman Member of Parliament speaks out.
Minerals Council pulls previous support for policies limiting advocacy by environmental charities.
NUCLEAR. Yami Lester’s daughters continue his fight against the nuclear industry. Aboriginal grandmother, survivor of Maralinga nuclear bomb tests, to Norway for Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
News Corpse writers and politicians mindlessly parrot spin about Small Modular (Nuclear) Reactors (SMRs.) (I am preparing refutation of the quite extraordinary claims in The Australian’s recent article)
South Australia. South Australian law: government now prohibited from spending money to promote nuclear waste importing. Proposed Federal nuclear waste dump threatens South Australia’s environment and economy. Despite the hype, BHP’s Olympic Dan copper-uranium mine is not all that much of a money-spinner.
CLIMATE. Heating oceans make South East Australian hot spots. Centre for Policy Development urges companies to tell shareholders of climate change risks.
Adani coal mine ‘fundamentally not in Australia’s interests’ – could be a financial disaster. Queensland election result – an ill omen for the Adani coal megamine project. Support for Adani coal mine damaged Liberal-Nationals in Queensland election. Report finds that Aboriginal landowners would get little benefit from Adani’s coal mine expansion. Chinese Government denies receiving application to fund Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.
ENERGY. Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) – Australia has enough electricity for summer . Hot weather in South Australia: Tesla battery turned on a day ahead of schedule. Why South Australia must, and will, lead world on renewables. Rooftop solar set for record year. Australia can meet its 2030 greenhouse emissions target at zero net cost.
The week that has been in nuclear and climate news
It’s that crazy time of the year coming on again. so you will be relieved to find this newsletter relatively short. Climate news is just as scary as always, but I haven’t had time to keep up with it.
The most interesting nuclear story is about the radioactive cloud across Europe. First described as a harmless wafting of radioactive isotopes “over recent weeks”, this news seemed to become a bit of a worry, first of all, to air travellers. Then the realisation that even if this airborne plume of radioactive ruthenium 106 is supposed to be harmless, it’s not harmless to those close to the source. Now the source is identified, after weeks of contradictory Russian reports, to be the Mayak Nuclear Production Facility, with Russia still claiming that it is harmless. The locals are not so sure.
New research reveals that space travel permanently changes the human brain.
AUSTRALIA
6 Australian religious anti-war protesters may face 7 years gaol for peaceful Pine Gap protest. Only the ABC News, (and New York Times) covered this.
The Federal parliament is shutting down for a week – seems the best idea for a government in chaos.
Meanwhile the State of Queensland is having its election as we live and breathe. From the climate point of view, this is a pretty important election. It is is critical for solar energy, and for electricity consumers. Also important is the issue of the Adani mega coal mine project. The Liberal National party is all for it, of course. And nobody’s quite sure what the Labor government would do.
Australia needs special laws to protect its independent broadcaster – the ABC.
Australians fear nuclear attacks.
CLIMATE and ENVIRONMENT. Canberra stood out at Bonn climate talks as a progressive city, adopting renewable energy Australian Government’s White Paper warns on climate change dangers in our region.
Adani coal project. Australian government lending to Adani coal megamine? A bad look internationally! Wangan and Jagalingou Aboriginal land – ruthlessly pursued by Indian coal corporation Adani Adani. Farmers and graziers in Norther Queensland worried about environmental impacts of Adani coal mine project.
ENERGY. Turnbull govt’s National Energy Guarantee is inadequate and confusing. Chief Scientist Alan Finkel [that wild left-wing hippie?] says that Renewables could reliably contribute 50% to power grid.
NUCLEAR. Western Australia nuclear waste enthusiast Glenn Baker shows his ignorance of the real purpose of the planned nuclear dump, (to store Lucas Heights very radioactive spent fuel returning from France and UK). Australia’s nuclear propagandist Ben Heard, and “Generation Atomic” , fail at Bonn, so fall back on the “banana” argument.
Climate news, nuclear news, to 17 November -Australia
Today, the UN climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany, are wrapping up. The world’s diplomats discussed and developed national pledges, with USA’s Michael Bloomberg pledging American action by cities and States, in defiance of President Trump. Scientists reported that the plans are not enough to meet the Paris climate goal of holding the global temperature increase to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. It is still worth acting to prevent extreme changes, but climate change impacts are already locked in.
To give an example of the kind of climate feedback mechanisms that might be happening, China has this year increased its carbon emissions, largely because of less availability of hydropower. Hydropower was in short supply because of drought, which, in itself, was probably exacerbated by climate change.
You would think it hardly possible that tensions could ratchet up any further around North Korea, but they have. China has sent a diplomat to North Korea, and has asked USA to stop the naval military drills around the Korean peninsula.
AUSTRALIA
Australian government helps business lobbies, while punishing charities.
Australia sells weapons to countries like Saudi Arabia, that perpetrate human rights abuses.
CLIMATE. Among 56 countries studied – Australia is close to worst on climate change action. Pacific Islanders call on Australia and other nations, as climate change submerges islands. Australian World Heritage sites at special climate change risk .
NUCLEAR. Lucas Heights is the obvious place for a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility. High level nuclear wastes, planned for South Australia dumping, but not mentioned by Australian Government. Federal radioactive waste in South Australia : three sites, two years, one message. South Australian government: local Aboriginal community has final veto on nuclear waste suppository Australian Aboriginal concerns will now be addressed in Scotland discussions on destination of reprocessed nuclear wastes.
Senator Cory Bernardi’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Facilitation) Bill – joins Tony Abbott in pro-nuke fervour.
Western Australia: Supreme Court begins Judicial Review of Environmental Approval for Yeelirrie Uranium Mine.
ENERGY. The Adani Carmichael Coal Mine: Introduction To A Special Five-Part Series. Financial peril for Adani’s Carmichael mine company. Australia’s dirtiest industry dealt another blow as Commonwealth Bank rule out new coal projects.
Australian Solar Council launches campaign againstQueensland’s Liberal National Party. Canberra homes battle to be energy champions. More at REneweconomy.com.au
The week that was in nuclear/ climate news Australia
Sometimes the news in one country is pivotal to the fortunes of the global nuclear industry. Right now, this country is arguably South Africa. Nuclear corruption has been entrenched in South Africa for a long time. It’s becoming urgently important now, as President Zuma nears the end of his term. The global nuclear lobby must be watching, with some trepidation, to see whether a whole African nation can be bought, despite the obstacles. In South Africa, the obstacles are: legal, financial, political, and technical. And that’s before one even talks about public opinion, and health and environmental impacts.
With one eye on South Africa, the nuclear lobby’s other eye is, of course, on the COP23 climate talks in Bonn, Germany, where the nuclear lobby is working hard on the sidelines, to persuade the UN that their industry is “clean” – and therefore deserving of financial support.
Investigative reporting lives!! – Informal Labour, Local Citizens and the Tokyo Electric Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Crisis: Responses to Neoliberal Disaster Management
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR.- Australian navy joins USA and South Korea in drills to stop and search North Korean weapons ships.
Australian uranium company Paladin to leave costly environmental mess in Malawi. Dean Johnson, Kimba mayor, ecstatic about Kimba getting Federal govt bribe for radioactive trash dump search . Fairfax media uncritically regurgitates China-Bill Gates pro nuclear propaganda. Nuclear propagandist Michael Shellenberger hated ABC interview, loved shock jock Alan Jones.
CLIMATE – Australia set to sabotage UN climate talks? AGAIN! Pacific Island leaders will pressure Australia at UN climate meeting. Australia can expect ‘increased bushfire and storm danger‘ due to climate change. Australia the global climate laggard. – Western Australia to experience extreme weather.
Queensland’s election nears (Nov 25). A bit of fear and trembling going on in federal, as well as state, politics – that the very right-wing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation might do well, or even that the Greens might have a show. The Liberal/Nationals have put One Nation ahead of Greens on their How-to-vote cards. The Greens seem to have influenced politics on the Adani coal mine issue.
Australian government might not be able to bypass Queensland and give funds to Adani for coal mine rail line. Federal Minister For Coal, Matt Canavan, says that Adani Coal megamine project is now in jeopardy.
ENERGY. Australian Institute of Company Directors finds that corporate leaders want renewable energy growth. Record low electricity demand in South Australia, due to rooftop solar. The world is watching South Australia’s record consumer-powered electricity grid.
SA energy minister Tom Koutsantonis slammed the federal government’s proposed National Energy Guarantee as an attack on renewables. More at reneweconomy.com.au
Australia set to sabotage UN climate talks? AGAIN!- theme for this week
Yes – it’s true – Australia is sending fossil-fuel-and-nuclear stooge Josh Frydenberg off to Germany to 
sabotage the UN climate conference!
Ever since Kyoto, 1997, when the Australian delegation kept everybody up until 4 a.m to make sure of watering down climate action, Australia has been ?proudly subverting international climate action.
Frydenberg is adept at twisting things, to make himself look good, while he’s really no more than an agent for the polluting industries. He might find this harder than usual, in Bonn, where the Murdoch media does not hold sway.
Frydenbeg might find that the Pacific Islanders’ case for action on climate will be better received than his advocacy for Australia’s coal industry.
Look – we’re an international disgrace on our punishment of refugees. We’v e long been an international disgrace on our climate inaction.
Here’s hoping that Frydenberg and the rest of the Australian polluting shills don’t succeed again.
IT’S TIME THAT AUSTRALIA JOINED OUR ISLAND NEIGHBOURS AND THE WORLD IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE
The Week That Was in Climate and Nuclear News Australia
The UN Climate Change Conference will take place 6-17 November in Bonn, Germany and will be presided over by the Government of Fiji. The COP is the forum where UN members meet to discuss how they will limit climate change. This year’s edition, COP23, is more about preparing procedural decisions than reaching agreements as in Paris. Nevertheless, there will be interesting discussions and protests. With America now out of climate accords, China is taking the lead.
The nuclear industry is sulking, as it did in 2015, because United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has again, in 2017 rejected its call for nuclear to be included as “clean”, and rejected its sponsorship. – This is of vital importance to the failing global nuclear industry – to get the UN to classify it as “clean” would be a lifeline.
Meanwhile – it’s not as if the nuclear war threat has gone away.
AUSTRALIA
Examining the hype in Australia about space exploration.
CLIMATE. Downunder, we hear little, if anything, about the UN Climate Conference. I don’t know if we’re even sending a representative. If we do, you can be sure that it will be only to continue the hypocrisy and downright sabotage of climate action that has been Australia’s role for many years. Australian emissions to ‘far exceed’ 2030 Paris pledge.
At the moment, the Australian government is gripped in utter paralysis– which is rather good, as they can’t make any awful decisions, indeed, any decisions.
The $16-billion Adani coal mine project is dividing the Australian public.
- With a Queensland election coming up, the saga of the Adani coal megamine plan takes on a new significance. Anti Adani coal mine protests to be a continuing feature of Queensland election. Queensland Premier will now not support Federal funding for this. Queensland Government worried about viability of Adani’s $16.5 billion Carmichael mine. Criticism of Townsville City Council for giving Adani $19 million for airstrip for coal mining. Unity in Christian churches: bishops of Townsville speak out against Adani coal megamine.
- The Australian government now looks like subsidising both an Indian Billionaire and the Chinese government, such is the Adani funding mess. Officials considering tax-payer loan to Adani have known for months of Adani’s bad financial and environmental standing.
- Don’t fund Adani coal project: Pacific Islanders’ call to Australian government. Even Shock Jock Alan Jones comes out swinging against Adani coal megamine project
NUCLEAR. Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop ‘s timely warning on the danger if USA were to scrap the Iran nuclear agreement. Minerals Council of Australia is angry with United Nations – for not including nuclear power in climate action American pro nuclear propagandist Michael Shellenger is visiting Australia, and getting uncritical coverage from mainstream media. He’s talking mainly to mining industry meetings.
South Australia: Greens Bill passes Parliament’s Upper House – aiming to stop the waste of money on promoting nuclear waste dumping. Nuclear fuel waste: Extended Storage at Lucas Heights or target SA?
ENERGY. Australia’s clean energy transition is underway – and fast! Clean Energy Finance Corporation triples investment in renewable projects to $2 billion. South Australia’s Whyalla to become a booming renewable energy hub. Well deserved award for RenewEconomy founder Giles Parkinson. Lotsa news at reneweconomy.com.au
Australia: nuclear, climate, pollution news this week
Sometimes, it seems a bit ridiculous to single out the nuclear danger, or the climate danger, from all the other insults that human beings are throwing at the planet. Wars and violence are bad enough, but the overall big killer now is pollution especially where it’s combined with poverty. It’s surely time to take a global view of our punished biosphere. It’s affecting us, and the biggest organisms, and the smallest – as with the massive decline in flying insects.
Anyway – to nuclear news. Apart from the ever dangling sword of Damocles situation of North Korea, the news for the so-called peaceful nuclear industry is pretty bleak. The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2017 has just been released, and even in China things are crook.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR
South Australia’s Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission – South Australian Greens leader Mark Parnell pointed out that it should always have been a National issue, not just a South Australian one, and that the Commission’s advisers were overwhelmingly from the nuclear lobby. In South Australian Parliament, Greens aim to restore Nuclear Waste Storage Facility (Prohibition) Act.– Business South Australia – a strident pro nuclear lobbyist -ruled to not be a ‘charity’ – still a strident voice for the nuclear lobby.
ANSTO calls High Level Nuclear Waste – “Intermediate Level” – fooling the public –Sick-making propaganda spin, as ANSTO pays rural South Australians to visit Lucas Heights nuclear reactor.
90 organisations join ICAN in calling for the government to sign and ratify the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.
News Corpse relates Cory Bernardi’s misleading statements on thorium nuclear power.
CLIMATE. Bureau of Meteorology predicts 3 warmer than usual months for Australia. Fossil fuel lobby now dictates Australia’s energy policy: Energy Security Board instructed to ignore Paris climate commitments.– Bob Brown: High Court decision ensures free speech against environmentally polluting companies, like Adani.
Coal and Adani mine project.
- Coal not likely to benefit from Turnbull’s new energy plan.
- Chief Scientist contradicts Liberal Senator – says far fewer coal-fired power stations being planned.
- Queensland Labor MP angry about delay to act on black lung disease.
- Old polluting coal-fired power station Vales Point profits from energy policy chaos.
- Anti Adani coal project protestors lock themselves to heavy machinery.
- Farmers for Climate Action – Stop compulsory acquisition of grazing land for Adani’s private rail line.– Rescind Adani’s Unlimited Water License and support Aussie farmers! Busting the myths about Adani providing 1000s of jobs. Peter Garrett: Back on centre stage to fight Adani and push for 100% renewables.
ENERGY. Survey shows that Turnbull, Frydenberg and Abbott’s electorates back 50% renewables target. Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target now becomes law. Solar energy: from day one Australian business solar projects pay for themselves. More at http://reneweconomy.com.au/
To October 21 Nuclear News Australia
I know that it’s becoming a tedious subject, but, unfortunately, the risk of war, a nuclear war, is creeping up inexorably. The general consensus of expert opinion is that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un does not want, or intend to start, a war. His quite rational aim is the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon to the USA. and thus prevent an American attack, and ensure the survival of his regime. Russia and China, have achieved this ability, and USA and the world have learned to live with this reality.
Expert opinion seems completely confused as to the real aims of USA’s Donald Trump, and this is making for a scary scene. – And, it is hard to dismiss the opinion of the 27 psychiatrists who warned about Trump’s mental state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nhoGIvOKJU
2017 – a catastrophic year for the nuclear industry – downturn in China, USA, and globally.
High Court found that Tasmanian anti-protest laws invalid on the basis they infringe the implied constitutional freedom of political communication, – Bob Brown’s legal win.
NUCLEAR.
Remote seismic station in the Northern Territory plays critical role in monitoring North Korea’s nuclear testing.
South Australia. Australian govt changing electoral boundaries, in effort to get support for radioactive waste dump in South Australia?
No more money for investigating nuclear waste importing – South Australian Parliamentary Committee report. South Australian Labor commends Weatherill govt on acknowledging Citizens Jury outcome – no nuclear waste importing.
“The Advertiser’s” nuclear advertising article drew strong responses.
New South Wales. New South Wales Senate debated the idea of a nuclear power station for Jervis Bay.
ENERGY and CLIMATE CHANGE
Turnbull Government’s New National Energy Plan dumps the Clean Energy Target for a National Energy Guarantee. – Tony Abbott warned Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull against supporting renewable energy. Tony Abbott’s successful influence on Coalition energy policy. The new energy plan could be disaster for renewables, climate, prices. Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee works against battery energy storage. Does Western Australia need its own renewables target?
Turnbull lies – calling coal a “dispatchable”power source. (Dispatchable power can be turned on and off as needed – it’s the opposite to baseline power – on all the time, as with coal)
Adani coal mine plan .Greens leader Richard Di Natale says Adani’s Carmichael coalmine won’t go ahead. Adani needs $2bn of loans for Abbot Point coal terminal: Westpac Bank may not refinance Adani. Queensland government to take over agricultural land for Adani coal mine rail line. Townsville and Rockhampton councils could pay at least $31 million for Adani coalmine airstrip. Rockhampton’s Mayor Strelow misrepresents Wanganand Jagalingou people. Traditional land owners Wangan and Jagalingou people at forefront of opposition to Adani coal mine.
A futuristic family car at the World Solar Challenge. Lots of renewable energy news at http://reneweconomy.com.au/
Nuclear news Australia – to October 15
Unfortunately, that strange and worrying individual, Donald Trump, has yet again managed to dominate the news media, on nuclear and other issues. He has has struck a blow against the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement – in defiance of other world powers – by choosing not to certify that Tehran is complying with the deal. If Iran now leaves the deal, there’s the prospect of a new nuclear arms race, in the Middle East. Nobel Peace Prize winner ICAN says Trump is ‘igniting new conflict rather than reducing risk of war’.
Meanwhile, there’s the escalating danger of an American nuclear first strike on North Korea.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR.
- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons (ICAN) urges Australia to sign nuclear weapons ban treaty. Australia’s first Nobel peace laureate- but no congratulations from Prime Minister , who supports nuclear weapons.
- Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says that USA should keep Iran nuclear deal.
- Australia’s role in monitoring North Korea’s nuclear tests.
- Australia’s Ben Heard – fake environmentalist and pro nuclear shill. Ben Heard misinforms the Saudi Arabians on radiation from spent nuclear fuels.
- Maralinga’s nuclear legacy features in Tarnanthi Aboriginal art festival.
CLIMATE. Australia’s climate policy just like Trump’s , while Chief Scientist Alan Finkel makes last plea for Clean Energy Target. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop slaps down Abbott’s climate speech. Climate change is a “crap” theory – and climate change is also “doing good” – says former PM Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott’s climate outburst was intended to wreck Turnbull’s attempt at energy policy.
Sea level rise, and the plight of Australia’s island neighbours – Kiribati.
Across Australia, thousands protest against Adani Carmichael coal mine. Poll shows that 67% of Queenslanders want the Premier to veto the $1 billion loan planned for Adani.
ENERGY. Australian Energy Market Operator says shift to renewables is going to happen anyway. Small-scale solar cutting $billions from electricity bills. The solar power juggernaut is catching Australia by surprise. New polling released by The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program, shows two thirds of voters would prefer to see governments increasing energy conservation rather than building new power stations. Queensland renewables tender swamped by 115 projects, 6,000MW of storage. New $400 million solar farm for Port Augusta, South Australia. More at http://reneweconomy.com.au/
Nuclear/Climate Newsletter Australia
The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has just been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). This global campaign began in Melbourne 10 years ago, and look where it went from there! Retrieving Australia’s past reputation for work towards nuclear disarmament, ICAN’s dedicated team just kept going. Today, I can feel proud to be Australian, despite the Australian government’s present craven record on disarmament.
Contrasting with that positive news, we have Donald Trump’s latest ominous utterance – “the calm before the storm”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU62DZ_Xf0M Who knows what he means? At least in the 1979 Peter Sellers film “Being There” that particular dimwitted President knew that he was talking about gardening.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. Could Australia be the target of a North Korean missile? Former Liberal Party leader John Hewson call on the Australian government to stop being subservient to American foreign policy, especially now in the Trump era. Gareth Evans says Australia should not blindly follow USA on foreign policy.
Tony Abbott calls on Turnbull govt to change laws, and develop nuclear and coal power. Former Labor leader Mark Latham urges Australia to “go nuclear”. Glamour nuclear spruiker Brian Cox – in Cumbria, then Australia. Pro nuclear shilling group on the move in New South Wales, but Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ruled out nuclear power. Nuclear Reactor for Burrinjuck Dam – says Rob Parker of Nuclear For Climate Australia.
South Australia- lots of sick-making propaganda from the nuclear waste gang – National Radioactive Waste Management Facility – they seem to have unlimited tax-payer money for this stuff. It’s available on their Facebook page.
CLIMATE. Australia must prepare for super-hot days. That’s if you believe the research of scientists at the Australian National University. On the other hand, that could all be nonsense, if you believe Australia’s (highly unpopular) former PM Tony Abbott. Australia’s farmers need action on climate change, and for renewable energy. Scientists race to try to save the Great Barrier Reef.
Adani Carmichael coal mine:-Indian coal miner Adani facing income crash – desperate to get Australian tax-payer funding Former Indian minister sounds alarm on Adani’s track record, mega-mine’s viability– -Adani’s tax havens – the Queensland coal mine plan’s connection with corruption. Market Forces list COMPANIES THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK THE ADANI CARMICHAEL COAL PROJECT. In India, police action targeted ABC journalists researching Adani’s dubious dealings.
Minerals Council of Australia – a wealthy lobby works on behalf of foreign corporations
To October 1st – latest on nuclear and climate Australia
For a change, I digress from the usual themes. While the media fixes on Trump’s and Kim’s nuclear threats, a lot of other things go on quietly. For example, the Trump attack on workers’ rights, –on worker safety, – on public health and environmental protection. – on refugees, Much as I dislike joining in the media fervor for watching Trump, it becomes almost a necessity, because we are witnessing the most extraordinary dismantling of all government policy for the public good. It is as if it’s all happening under the cover of our angst about North Korea.
The rise of Germany’s right wing party, adopting the Trump tactics, has brought a fascist element into the German Bundestag, and signifies the new importance of populist politics in Europe.
1461 scientists speak up for saving Australia’ oceans
AUSTRALIA
Apologies – all Australians. I cannot be a patriot, because I’m doing this stuff now, while the FOOTEE final is on. Sacrilege!
NUCLEAR.
- Campaign to get more MPs to work for Australia to sign and ratify the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.
- Aborigines fight to block nuclear wastes from Scotland ending up dumped in rural South Australia.
- A U.S. military man urges Australia to prepare defences for nuclear war, (very good for sales of USA weaponry) . Australia’s opposition leader visits South Korea, “in lockstep” with Turnbull on nuclear issue.
- There’s quite a lot in the media, of propaganda about new nuclear reactors, especially small modular ones. So this is being taken up by politicians who know very little about the subject., e.g. New South Wales Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader, John Barilaro.
CLIMATE. Australia needs a massive switch to renewables, if it is to meet its Paris climate commitments. As Australia’s greenhouse emissions soar, Pacific islanders despair of its backward climate policies. Did Australian govt reject China’s climate change action initiative? National Party President Larry Anthony runs a firm that lobbies for coal industry ! Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility likely to fund coal rail line, but not coal mine itself.
ENERGY. Six international academics refute the attack on renewable energy by Ben Heard and others. South Australia’s Tesla big battery switched on. Yes, Mr Prime Minister: there IS an answer to all your energy problems – it’s wind and solar. South Australia’s network of charging stations for electric cars. Some recycling of lithium already going on in Australia. For lots of news, go to http://reneweconomy.com.au/
This week – nuclear and climate news
As nations sign up at present, at United Nations, to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Treaty is due to come into force later, when 50 signed members have ratified it. 122 countries out of the 193 UN member nations approved the draft treaty in July.
The nuclear weapons nations and their associates oppose the treaty, giving various important strategic sounding reasons. But when this UN treaty comes into force, joining the previous treaties that make other forms of mass destruction illegal, the governments with nuclear weapons will no longer be able to claim the moral high ground. Their stand will sound hollow, against the growing global consensus that the possessing, threatening, using of nuclear weapons is inhumane and immoral.
Equally importantly, at the UN General Assembly, the urgency of the need to address climate change, is being discussed.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR
- Why Australia Should Sign The UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty Now. An Australian to be proud of – Dr Tilman Ruff.– -Australia follows nuclear weapons powers in boycotting UN treaty outlawing nuclear weapons. –Best selling author Junko Morimoto called on Turnbull to sign nuclear weapons ban treaty. Most Labor MPs have pledged to get Australia to sign and ratify the UN nuclear weapon ban treaty.
- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says there is no economic case for nuclear power.
- Nuclear lobby bringing top USA nuclear spruiker Michael Shellenberger to Australia.–
- Australia VERY QUIETLY signs up to help develop new nuclear reactors
- Nominations sought for Kimba Consultative Committee on National Radioactive Waste Dump.
- Rural South Australia could end up with the curse of stranded nuclear wastes.
CLIMATE.
- Liberal Coalition MPs giggle, cackle, smirk and laugh in Parliament over climate change
- BHP supports climate change action – is at odds with Minerals Council.
- In Southern Australia, winters are becoming drier.
- A mathematician warns – Coalition’s pro-coal policy likely to be a vote loser
- –Abbot Point spill further proof Adani can’t be trusted on coal, green groups say. Anti Adani coal project- action is seriously hotting up in Queensland. Anti-Adani protesters arrested outside Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen. A kind of censorship: Melbourne’s Federation Square restricts anti Adani protest.
- Liberal National Party member would consider taxpayer funding moved from renewables to private coal-fired power station.
Renowned author Tim Winton on how Malcolm Turnbull betrayed our oceans.
ENERGY Australians won over by cheapness and reliability of solar batteries, poll shows. Australia’s top 10 solar postcodes, and the top solar locations by state . Coal country backs renewable energy – poll. For remewable energy news – http://reneweconomy.com.au/
Northern Territory may be close to getting a lithium mine.
This is just my impression – I have done no real research. But – it seems to me that the most strident anti-gay voices in Australia are the same people as the strident climate denialers, and pro nukers.
To 17 September – nuclear and climate news
It’s all sounding a bit same-same: nuclear posturing from Kim Jong Un and from Donald Trump. Trouble is – in our atmosphere of “nuclear brink fatigue’, it still IS getting closer to the nuclear brink.
I don’t know about you, but in my patch, Australia, well you just wouldn’t know that from Sept 20, the 10-page treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons will be open for signatures from any UN member state. No media coverage. It’s as if the thought of nuclear war just doesn’t matter. Hell, it could even be an acceptable idea, nowadays. Or maybe not.
Same-same on climate, too. But again, not really, as the planet’s weather patterns change inexorably, glaciers melt, and mainstream media covers the subject less than ever.
AUSTRALIA
Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for homosexuals having the same rights as anybody else, to choose the possible misery of marriage. And I have already voted “YES”. But I wish that the media could also cover climate and the nuclear danger.
Whether or not Trump is sane, Australia will follow him into nuclear war.– Australian politicians’ mindless backing of Trump.
Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) Black and White celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their continuing campaign – keeping Australia nuclear free. Another liberal MP (Jane Prentice, Queensland) sucked in by the nuclear lobby. South Australia’s naval defence interests aiming for nuclear submarines, eventually?
Increasing risk of losing Great Barrier Reef.
ENERGY. Australian government aims to get rid of Renewable Energy Target. National Party rallies against Clean Energy Target plan. What Audrey Zibelman and the Australian Energy Market Operator actually did advise the government. Turnbull government grossly misuses report by Australian Energy Market Operator. Energy Security Board Chair says that properly managing Australia’s energy demand would remove the need for new power plants. Massive jump in solar energy roll-out means scarcity fears unfounded: council.
1 This month.
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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