Latest in nuclear news Australia
Henry Kissinger, long term and still influential political adviser, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week that a pre-emptive strike on North Korea was “tempting”and “a rational argument”. And, with Trump’s new Nuclear Posture Review, the world moves even closer to the brink. With the nuclear weapons race, is the unthinkable now becoming a comfortable idea?
I think of the “Me Too”movement – to change the situation of women being sexually exploited by predators, and of this being covered up by men in power. And it is surely now time for a “Me Too” movement – as insane decisions are being made about nuclear weapons by men in power.
AUSTRALIA
The “Peace Boat” continues its successful tour of Australian cities, continuing now from Hobart to Sydney.
Nuclear Racism in Australia.
Media silence on Julian Assange‘s precarious situation.
Federal nuclear waste dump plan for South Australia. ARPANSA considering components in radioactive trash dump– asking for public comments, by February 23. Australia’s history of mismanaging nuclear waste. Dishonest scare-mongering linking nuclear medicine and radioactive waste dumps. Keep Lucas Heights nuclear waste-at Lucas Heights, for the safety of all Australians. Any South Australian nuclear waste dump must have broad social consent and specific community consent.
Weatherill Government opposition to all nuke waste dumps in SA welcomed. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill could take High Court action against proposed Federal Nuclear waste Dump. Australian Greens welcome Labor switch on nuclear waste dump.
Australia’s nuclear macho men always wanted nuclear weapons, and they still do. Australian women – no say in nuclear decisions. BUT – Women take the lead in Australia’s energy revolution.
Jim Green questions Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA), on its pro nuclear seminar.
Labor Party branches want a new and more effective environment act and independent watchdog.
Turnbull govt to give $3,8billion to develop a weapons export industry.-Sisters of St Joseph speak out against Australian government plan for weapons export industry.
Native Title, the Wangan and Jagalingou people, and Adani Coal Mine Project. Adani mega coal mine – a threat to Australia’s most valuable water source. Polling shows that even Liberals now opposing Adani coal megamine project. Australia way behind on low carbon action – UN investor expert warns.
Great progress in renewable energy: see reneweconomy.com.au
20th January – nuclear news this week.
The climate of fear. An article by Tony Schwartz, biographer of Donald Trump, describes Trump’s main effect on the body politic , after a year in office: “Trump has made fear the dominant emotion of our times.” This culture of fear is now expressed in actions – USA quietly preparing for war with North Korea, Russia’s new underwater drone – a ‘doomsday’ weapon, United Nations: Secretary General warns on growing nuclear war danger.
End nuclear weapons and nuclear power – we owe this to our children.
I’m so sorry that I’m not now covering climate change issues – it’s not as if these are going away!
AUSTRALIA
The Peace Boat is on its way to Australia.
Nuclear waste dumping decisions promoted as just a “local” issue – Australia unaware.
Countering deceptive propaganda about Australia needing nuclear weapons. China is not heading for nuclear attack on Australia: no point in Australia getting nuclear weapons. Defence analysts suggesting that Australia might need nuclear weapons?.
Professor Hugh White warns on risks of an alliance between Japan and Australia.
Brett Stokes – a reminder about ANSTO and its zeal for the nuclear industry.
Minerals Council says it makes political donations to gain access to MPs.
India Enters Australia Group, Inches Closer to Joining Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The decline of journalism in the mainstream media.
South Australia –Cory Bernardi’s Australian Conservatives standing for South Australian election, with pro nuclear policy. Film company to abandon plans for production in South Australian area if Federal nuclear waste dump goes ahead? Lest we forget: South Australians consistently reject hosting a nuclear waste dump.
South Australia’s heatwave will not affect power supply. Tesla’s South Australian battery project – a rapid success. Coal unit trips in heatwave as Tesla big battery cashes in. Big solar boom kicks off in South Australia with completion of 6MW Whyalla project.
I can’t resist pointing out some of the very positive renewable energy news: Australian wind, solar investment hits record high as NEG threatens to push it off a cliff. Queensland could host Australia’s largest wind farm, in proposed renewables hub. Community to invest directly in wind power in New England. More at reneweconomy.com.au
To 14 January – the week in nuclear news Australia
International relations seem to become ever more complicated and risky. Donald Trump says ” I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un”. It is really hard to make sense out of Trump’s utterances, and the climate of “new media” makes that all the more difficult, and dangerous. Donald Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster thinks it’s about time to bomb North Korea. 17 former nuclear launch officers warn Congress about Trump’s power to destroy.
European powers urge US not to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal. If he did, it would certainly not help international efforts to persuade North Korea to cease its nuclear weapons drive.
AUSTRALIA
Defence analysts suggesting that Australia might need nuclear weapons?
Latest pro nuclear push in Australia shows the split in the nuclear industry. Former Big Nuclear propagandist Ziggy Switkowski is back – now spruiking for Small Nukes. Minerals Council puts in its bid to overturn Australia’s laws prohibiting nuclear power.
Australian Government’s rather secretive plan to dump Lucas Heights nuclear waste on outback South Australia Kimba Farmer Jeff Baldock looks to four times value of his land to host nuclear waste dump: others not so keen. New Corpse’s usually pro nuclear publication, Adelaide Now ran an opinion poll showing over 80% say “NO” to Kimba dump plan. Kimba town hopes to win top environmental award – but wants nuclear waste dump ? (Adelaide Now article and poll now removed from Internet)
Call to keep ANSTO’s deadly radioactive waste at Australia’s only accepted high grade nuclear waste dump, Lucas Heights.
Turnbull government’s duplicity on climate and greenhouse gas emissions.
Port Augusta area, South Australia, to get world’s largest thermal solar plant.
Latest pro nuclear push in Australia shows the split in the nuclear industry
When they resuscitate Ziggy Switkowski to promote nuclear, and when Anti-Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg comes out of his quiet environmental closet to promote nuclear – you know that the nuclear lobby is having a serious attempt to persuade Australians.
Trouble is – the global nuclear lobby mightn’t be so happy about this.
They do pretend to be a professional, unified, competent force in the world. But not really. Small Nukes better shut up as Big Nukes will not tolerate them being successful, might allow them in only as a foot in the door for Big Nukes
With giant companies like Toshiba, AREVA, EDF, China National Nuclear Corporation, Rosatom determinedly pushing their “conventional”nuclear reactors -there’s no likelihood that they are going to let new “little” nukes take over. They tolerate the media acrobatics of the Small Modular Nuclear Reactor companies – just as long as those companies claim (pretend) to be helping them.
In reality, there’s an absolute dispute between the two.
Australian politicians seem to be easily sucked in by the propaganda antics of the Small Nukes lobby –
The week in nuclear news – Australia
With regret, this newsletter is now going to focus mainly on nuclear issues. Climate change is no less important – indeed the harsh reality of climate change is worse than we thought. Climate change is being covered brilliantly by excellent websites, such as Radio Ecoshock and Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are being left out, too, despite their huge importance. The new, narrower, focus is just because it’s all been getting, too much, too hard, and – newsletter too long.
My thanks to Lonnie Clarke of The Age of Fission– radio programme, (Missouri) for her information service, and for interviewing me this week . Also thanks to David Archer (TMI Podcasts) (Toronto) for the interview today.
With the Trump government now overturning net neutrality laws, it becomes ever more important for all the avenues of independent media to work together to spread information on the nuclear threat.
AUSTRALIA
Dr Margaret Beavis on the value of United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Nuclear wastes. Revealed – Some politics behind the failed South Australian push to import nuclear wastes- MPs paid by Taiwanese government to travel to Taiwan to discuss funding of nuclear waste facility. Taiwanese government denied claims by Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith’s that Taiwan would fund the building of a waste facility.
Is the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Protection Agency (ARPANSA) dedicated to promoting the nuclear industry rather more than promoting public safety?
Aboriginal anger over lack of action to stop Scots nuclear waste transfers.
Cabinet papers reveal:
- In 1995 the Australian government knew that Sydney’s Lucas Heights’ high level radioactive trash was a problem.
- Australian govt prioritised BHP’s Olympic Dam mine’s business above the dangers of French nuclear testing. Australia’s eventual 1985 rift with France, over French nuclear testing, and the sinking of Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior.
Rare earths mining in Central Australia approved
Micro grids taking off in a big way In Australia.
In 2017 – some remarkable stories on Australian nuclear issues
Because my websites focus on nuclear news, many important climate stories were not covered there. A pity – now that the most accurate climate predictions are turning out to be the worst case scenarios. It is clear that climate change is a global emergency – NOW.
Some remarkable climate stories that we did cover: Rise of deadly heatwaves will continue. Food crops already affected. Lakes around the world are affected by heat from climate change. The importance of the Arctic – warm water being pushed to the surface, the disappearing ice, and its consequences, rapid spread of ocean acidification.
I’ve selected not the major news items, but nuclear stories that ought not to be forgotten.
The most impressive story of 2017:
brings together the climate and nuclear issues – Australian Mark Willacy’s text and visual coverage of the climate danger to the nuclear waste “dome” on Enewetak atoll.
Equally impressive
– USA’s Kate Brown and Ukraine’s Olha Martynyuk’s – investigation of the cherry-pickers of Ukraine “The Harvests of Chernobyl”.
AUSTRALIA
The current issue – that the government would prefer us not to know about – the plan for toting radioactive trash 1000s of miles across the continent, to set up as stranded nuclear wastes on outback South Australia :
AUSTRALIA’S RADIOACTIVE WASTE: WHAT TO DO WITH IT? WHERE TO PUT IT? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? WHY KEEP PRODUCING IT? Senator Scott Ludlam probes the Australian government’s plan to dump Lucas Heights’ nuclear waste on rural South Australia. Undemocratic Nuclear Waste Law Disempowers Communities and Traditional Owners. ANSTO calls High Level Nuclear Waste – “Intermediate Level” – fooling the public.
Australian government very quietly signing up to join in Generation IV nuclear reactor development (GIF) : NO PUBLIC DISCUSSION! Australia’s Generation IV Nuclear Energy Accession. Compelling argument against Australia joining the Framework Agreement for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. ANSTO must be transparent on costs of its nuclear research: Generation IV nuclear reactors – high cost for little benefit.
Cameco’s uranium mining plans in Western Australia
History items – lest we forget: The plutonium abuse of an Australian child, by Argonne National Laboratory How Prime Minister Robert Menzies, and Sir Ernest Titterton sold us all out for British nuclear testing. A toxic legacy : British nuclear weapons testing in Australia.
Exposing the dishonest pro nuclear spin : academics refute Ben Heard’s attack on renewable energy
This week – nuclear and climate – the good news
Well, of course, it’s hard to find good news. I see that a “good news” media has just started up . I don’t like their chances – but that’s only because good news isn’t really news. News is about something unusual happening. The vast majority of human beings are going about their lives, trying to care for their family and friends, trying to live a decent life. That’s just not news. Particularly at this time of year, people are mostly making an extra effort to be kindly to others, – with Christmas, Hanukka, and at least 12 other religious celebrations. So – it’s the much rarer bad incidents that are news.
On climate, so many millions of people, and so many organisations are trying to save this planet’s quite fragile environment. Intergovernmental efforts continue, with the recent Paris Summit. Renewable energy is taking off across the globe, especially in China, but also in America, despite Trump.
The global nuclear-free movement continues to have successes, exposing the nuclear industry, working for nuclear clean-ups, and for dismantling nuclear power, and for preventing new nuclear development
The much maligned United Nations continues its work, with a huge number of positive agencies, including many humanitarian ones. Non government agencies join in this work
AUSTRALIA.
CLIMATE Throughout 2017, the team at REneweconomy have persistently publicised the many exciting developments in clean energy. South Australia, so recently threatened with a nuclear nightmare, is now the clean energy star.
The movement for climate action and clean energy is having successes – preventing the Adani coal megamine could be its great achievement for this period.
NUCLEAR. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons won the Nobel Peace prize – a global campaign that began in Melbourne, and was worked on steadily for 10 years, by dedicated Australians. The nuclear-free movement continues its steady work – with the umbrella group The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance, Aboriginal activists, and the hard-working federal and state conservation groups. They have prevented nuclear waste dumping in the Northern Territory. They have helped stop plans for importing nuclear wastes to south Australia. Now their challenges are to stop Lucas Heights nuclear wastes being dumped on rural South Australia, and working for a clean, uranium-mining-free Western Australia.
INTERNATIONAL
The Nobel Peace Prize Award to ICAN might appear to be ineffective. But to have 122 of the UN member states adopting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a great symbolic start – in universal recognition that having nuclear weapons , planning to use them, and using them – are crimes against humanity.
Nuclear power began in America in the 1940s, with the Manhattan project to develop nuclear bombs. Of course it is till aligned with nuclear weapons, but now, “peaceful” nuclear power is dying in USA. France is moving away from nuclear power. In China, and India, as renewable energy booms, while nuclear power slows.
The global movement for a nuclear free world is active everywhere, but faces huge challenges, especially where the industry is tax-payer funded, and exceptionally secretive – as in Russia and China.
One nice little news item – the early release from prison of brave anti nuclear activist Sister Megan Rice.
I suppose that next week – I will resume the dreary recitation of all the bad stuff – because that’s what news is. In the meantime, many millions of people are being kind to each other, and wishing for peace – not news, but true all the same.
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
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 