What a week in climate and nuclear news!
Even under Trump, there will still be reason for climate action hope – climate action internationally and in USA States. Donald Trump wants to blow up the global climate effort. People are now saying hopeful things about Trump. And I do agree – it is possible for a narcissistic, bullying, misogynist, lying, sociopath to change – it just doesn’t happen all that often.
Anyway, Paris climate change agreement will not be derailed by Donald Trump. Paris climate deal now in force. The global nuclear lobby gears up to influence UN climate talks.
Trump will soon control America’s nuclear weapons codes. His defence policies may spark a nuclear arms race.
Human-induced climate change has already impacted every aspect of life on Earth. Climate change may be escalating so fast it could be ‘Game Over’ , scientists warn. Climate Disruption’s Legacy: Megadroughts, Extinctions, Obituaries for Reefs.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR . An extraordinary turnaround. It looks as though South Australia is about to dump the nuclear dump idea. Unexpectedly, the Citizens Jury said NO to the nuke waste dump plan. Citizens Jury exposed the bias and vested interests in Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission South Australia, and clearly examined the economic danger of importing nuclear wastes. South Australian Labor’s nuclear waste plan – “dead and buried” say Liberals. Nuclear lobby even loses support of its top business stooge, Nigel McBride. Premier Jay Weatherill’s political future on the line?
Nuclear waste plan meant that bit would be stored above ground long before underground facility is built – above ground for 100 years!
CLIMATE and ENERGY At last – Australia to ratify Paris climate change agreement. Will Australia back coal at the UN climate talks? Australia cannot pretend much longer that it is acting against climate change.
Australian Energy Market Operator blaming wind industry for it’s own mistakes
Queensland’s solar hub in sunny Western country.
Thoughts about the #nuclear “Citizens’ Jury”
We all know that this Citizens’ Jury has been a tainted process all along, carefully manipulated to produce the “amber light” that Jay Weatherill wants. Still national awareness of this toxic plan is now awakening – and all we can do is to continue the fight. As Redgum said, last time the plan was raised “If you don’t fight, you lose”
Climate news – and nuclear, this week in Australia
The annual United Nations climate change conference starts in Marrakech on Monday and will also serve as the first official meeting of parties to the Paris agreement struck in 2015. Even with the Paris climate deal, world will warm 3.4°C by 2100. Famine, war and disease – a grim future if climate change is not stalled. Drifting into Arctic Un-Winter. Experts doubt that geo-engineering will succeed in halting climate change. Leonardo Di Caprio’s new film “Before The Flood” debunks climate myths.
Mikhail Gorbachev leads, in appeal for dialogue, and reason.
Australia
The danger for Australia as Prime Minister Turnbull wants to change Australia’s Environment Act
A Treaty with Australia’s First Peoples is the best path to get us to a good future.
CLIMATE Australia could be excluded from UN climate talks: has not ratified Paris agreement Senate inquiry into bushfires hears of climate change impacts. Mike Baird’s New South Wales government – more “creative accounting” on climate change. Company directors could face penalties for ignoring climate change. Victoria’s Point Lonsdale beach – just one example of rising sea levels.
Western Australia to be hit hard by climate change. W.A. has the opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower. Wind energy a winner for W.A. communities.
New South Wales households lose solar feedin tariff benefits.
Queensland : Activists take coal mine fight to the High Court. Adani coal mine: Queensland Government publicly embarrassed over handling of megamine.
NUCLEAR
UN vote to start negotiating treaty to ban nuclear weapons- Australia voted against it.
South Australian Labor comes up with the delaying tactic that pro nuclear Premier Weatherill wanted. Weatherill heckled by anti nuclear protestors. South Australian government nuclear focus groups at Port Pirie – separate the sexes! Tax-payer funding goes to South Australian nuclear propaganda event Nov 15-16.
South Australia’s Nuclear Citizens’ Jury – a sophisticated exercise in manufacturing consent. A minority Citizens Jury Report is being prepared.
- Shonky Nuclear Royal Commission could be the end for South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill.
- Kevin Scarce’s Nuclear Conflict of Interest.
- Tainted economic evidence was given to South Australia’s Nuclear Royal Commission.
- Nuclear Royal Commission ignored world’s one and only existing deep underground nuclear waste dump – all this explained by Dr Jim Green.
Queensland : Ben Lomond uranium mine hit with an Environmental Protection Order
Nuclear and climate news to 22 October
NUCLEAR weapons and the risk of nuclear conflict very much in the news. One view – that this risk has been overstated lately. Final presidential debate reveals sobering facts on how fast nuclear war could happen. UN again to study the effects of depleted uranium contamination. Hans Blix warns on nuclear power stations as terrorist bait.
CLIMATE. Scary possibilities of Trump style demagogues as the world faces the consequences of climate change. Arctic Sea Ice Falls into Record Low Ranges — Again. East Africa’s water resources threatened as a result of climate change.
My week started off in a somewhat surreal way, as I participated in a modest-sized, but determined National Day of Action on Nuclear Waste, in Melbourne. Here we were, in our anti-nuclear gear, politely handing out information at Flinders St Station to the elegantly clad ladies and gentlemen on their way to the start of the Spring Racing Carnival. You can be reassured that none of those lovely people tarnished their beauty by actually touching our foul propaganda. The sad thing is that in my State, Victoria, the subject of Australia planned as the world’s nuclear toilet – is unknown. Sydney and Alice Springs demonstrations did better.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA had a massive rally. Aboriginal landowners were joined by thousands in protest against nuclear waste dumping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBVm6FtZirc
Premier Jay Weatherill’s probable moves in November: amend the Nuclear Waste Storage Facility Prohibition Act 2000 in the final Parliament scheduled sitting week of 29th Nov to 1st Dec. Then formally ask the Federal government to jointly work up the Inter dump plan along-side the SA gov through-out 2017 and in the lead up to the March 2018 State election.
South Australian Labor Party Conference on 29 October will surely debate nuclear policy, and overturning the law against nuclear waste importing – a critical point for Jay Weatherill’s political career.
Adelaide will host the next Nuclear Citizens’ so-called Jury on 29-30 October. The list of witnesses, and their likely attitudes is up on Antinuclear. Though the meeting organiser DemocracyCo does try to be fair, it is probable that this event will be pretty much controlled by the shonky Nuclear Fuel Chain Royal Commission, as was the last one. Various Facebook pages try to keep up with the process.
Meanwhile the Weatherill govt is importing top nuclear shills, such as James Voss to lecture South Australians on the benefits of nuclear. Geordan Graetz, pro nuclear spruiker is a ‘Community Engagement Advisor” to South Australians
Military targets in Australia. Prof Richard Tanter continues the great work of Desmond Ball, (who died on Oct 12) on analysing defence issues. Tanter now issues a warning on the dangers in Australia’s rather mindless hosting of American military stations, notably Pine Gap.
Australia will, for the first time ever, vote “NO” in the UN, to negotiating a new treaty that prohibits nuclear weapons.
UN human rights expert finds that Australian government has lost trust of civil society
CLIMATE and RENEWABLE ENERGY Oh dear – Australian taxpayers funded publishing of climate denialist Bjorn Lomborg’s book. South Australia’s Sundrop Farms – desert solar powered agriculture.Tidal energy – Australian Maritime College launches new turbine in Tamar River.
Australian nuclear and climate news to 14 October
Climate change is still the Big One. But, the danger of nuclear war is also the Big One, and particularly so right now. Red Cross and Red Crescent (IRRC) statement to UN on nuclear disarmament. Religious groups unite to lobby at UN on nuclear weapons ban. Nobel Prize laureates call for an end to the insanity of nuclear weapons.
Removing CO2 From the Air seen as Only Hope for Fixing Climate Change
People and planet endangered by the Trans Pacific Partnership.
NUCLEAR
15 October Australia National Day of Action Against Nuclear Waste Dumps. There’ll be a big rally in South Australia, because people there who care are aware of the State and Federal government’s nefarious plans for two different systems of nuclear waste dumping in that State . In the rest of Australia, government and media have maintained a disgraceful silence about the ongoing process to turn Australia into the world’s nuclear waste toilet. Despite the media blanket, protestors will rally in Victoria, New South Wales, and today in Western Australia.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Nuclear Citizens’ Jury members not allowed to change the wording of their set question. Witnesses recommended for the next Citizens’ Jury on Nuclear Waste Importing, South Australia. Monitoring South Australia’s Nuclear Citizens’ Jury.
People power against nuclear waste dumping – protest at proposed Federal dump site in Flinders Ranges
Australian International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons calls on government to stop blocking progress on nuclear disarmament.
CLIMATE Australia under question at UN over its climate change policy. Turnbull government has misused clean energy funds.
South Australia. Premier Jay Weatherill on the right track regarding renewable energy and electricity blackout. Solar power needed, to bring energy security and jobs to Port Augusta, South Australia. World first: Concentrated Solar Power Plant growing tomatoes.
Queensland govt’s push for solar power on all government buildings. Queensland govt requires Adani to prove financial viability for Carmichael mine. Legal challenge to Adani’s Abbot Point plans in Queensland’s Supreme Court. Traditional owners fighting Adani mine meet UN Rapporteur .
Australian Capital Territory Canberra’s renewable energy leadership at risk, as Federal govt demonises renewables.
To 8th October Nuclear and Climate News – Australia
Investigative journalism this week – yes, it still can happen. This time, it’s the Washington Post, revealing the scandalous origin of the rare earths that we use so prolifically in all our new gizmos – from mobile phones to wind turbines. Cobalt mining in the Congo. Graphite mining in China.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR. While climate news is still the BIG one, for Australia, the pro nuclear machinations going on in South Australia form the URGENT one. On October 9 and 10, the second Nuclear Citizens’ Jury will be held in Adelaide. The last Citizens Jury, while being very well run by DemocracyCo, had a strange brief, and some biased and ignorant witnesses.
While in S Australia, all the very expensive preparations and propaganda for nuclear waste importing go on (all at S Australian taxpayers’ expense) the rest of Australia is oblivious. We must thank the subservient Aussie media for this, especially the Murdochracy.
Another inaccuracy from pro nuclear propagandist Geraldine Thomas. Adi Paterson, Australia’s top nuclear guru, in pro nuclear promotion to Asian schools.
Especially in South Australia, but also in other States, those who care will be protesting against this plan for Australia as the world’s nuclear toilet – on Saturday October 15 –NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION against nuclear waste dumps in SA. Sydney Melbourne.
CLIMATE and RENEWABLE ENERGY.
- Climate forecast: Australia’s weather will get wilder.
- Malcolm Turnbull could, and should, now ratify the Paris climate agreement. Malcolm Turnbull jumps on the anti renewable energy bandwagon. Investors scared, jobs lost, due to unfounded criticism of renewable energy in South Australia.
- Former Liberal leader Dr John Hewson pushes for solar battery storage and solar thermal project near Port Augusta.
- Australia’s first sun-tracking solar farm opens at Majura, Canberra.
- A new wave of wind farm developments is sweeping Victoria.
“Dig it up” era should end. It is time to design new technology for RECYCLING rare earths
If mobile phones, lap-tops , wind turbines etc were all designed to make it easy to retrieve and recycle rare metals, the rare earth mining industry would hardly be needed.
At present, the world is mindlessly enjoying all the wonderful new gimmickry, without being aware of the toxic toll on miners who are being exploited by companies like Apple.
Sure – that industry must be cleaned up. But also, it’s time to minimise mining, by 21st Century design and recycling.
The week that has been in climate and nuclear news -Australia
Again – climate change is the big one. As UN climate chief calls for clear report on ‘feasibility’ of 1.5C climate goal, it’s looking as though this goal is not achievable, and climate change could already be irreversible. In 2016 atmospheric carbon dioxide will pass 400 parts per million – permanently. Speed of Arctic change shocks scientists.
But nuclear disaster could be imminent, too, as we consider the consequences of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, with Pakistan upping the ante, with belligerent threats to India.
On the so-called peaceful nuclear scene, the focus is on South Africa. South Africa’s corrupt nuclear politics is like a nasty boil that developed slowly over years, and could now be ready to burst.
Shadow Courts – The Secret Tribunals That Corporations Use to Sue Countries.
AUSTRALIA
CLIMATE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. An electricity blackout in South Australia gave the Turnbull government the opportunity to renew its attack on renewable energy, even though energy minister Josh Frydenberg and the grid operators admit that the source of energy had nothing to do with the catastrophic outage. However Frydenberg later toed the Coalition’s anti-renewables line. I got some amusement from ANC senior journalist Chris Uhlmann’s misguided rant against wind power. The ABC is always getting blamed for its “left wing” bias – Uhlmann showed the opposite here!
Sadly – all this political and media misinformation could affect the coming election in the Australian Capital Territory
World first wave/solar power grid for Western Australia.
Climate change shifting rain from Australia towards Antarctica. Urgent need for increased research on climate change impacts on Antarctic sea ice. Australian government has had no modelling done to show how Australia is supposed to meet Paris climate pledgen Australia’s farmers feeling the effects of climate change. Australia’s superannuation funds are backing exploration for fossil fuels.
NUCLEAR Australia’s $36 billion splurge on submarines, intended for nuclear later on.
South Australia‘s nuclear dump plan – fool’s gold? – senior Liberal MP. Premier Weatherill either dishonest or ignorant, about Finland’s nuclear waste dump plan. There would be a long delay for money in for South Australia’s proposed Temporary Nuclear Waste Storage facility. South Australian government’s barrage of pro nuclear advertising – making the unthinkable “normal”.
A week of anti nuclear protest at Australia’s top target – Pine Gap.
Northern Land Council delay agreement on Rio Tinto uranium exploration.
to September 24 – climate and nuclear news Australia
Once again, I have to admit, that however terrible the nuclear industry is, the climate threat is the currently urgent global danger. That’s because the “window of opportunity” to contain it is near to closing. Global warming will accelerate as oceans reach limits of remediation. Climate change action can be stopped by Trans Pacific Partnership.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR
South Australia. Premier Jay Weatherill wrote a deceptive pro nuclear article. (I’ll be writing more about this at a later stage). However, the comments below his article showed that not all registered Advertiser readers were taken in. Weatherill has gone to Finland accompanied by pro nuclear advocates. Jay Weatherill’s plan is not only ridiculously long term, but also political dynamite. Meanwhile, Finland companies keen to market their nuclear waste technology to South Australia. In that same article Weatherill mentions the next step in his campaign – to change South Australia’s law against nuclear waste storage
The SA government runs a nuclear “Your Say” site. People must register to comment. And they do. Some critical comments are posted. 80 % of ABC North and West listeners oppose South Australia’s nuclear waste import plan.
The SA government continues its nuclear roadshow. Very little media information. Facebook can be a source of news, e.g. Nuclear Fuel Cycle Watch South Australia and Fight to Stop Nuclear Waste Dump in Flinders Ranges SA
CLIMATE. Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) lodges appeal against Federal Court’s approval of giant Adani coal mine.
Renewable Energy. Business Investment in Renewable Energy hit by government cuts to Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Adelaide Advertiser’s nauseous sycophantic account of Premier Weatherill’s nuclear jaunt to Finland
I knew that The Advertiser was the mouthpiece of the nuclear lobby, anyway, but their latest effort was really sick-making. A rave which portrays Premier Weatherill as some kind of democratic champion, and which is pushing the soft sell that the decision on nuclear waste importing will not happen soon, but be dragged on for years. (They don’t say this, but in the interim, the nuke lobby has time to get secret arrangements made – and money lent to South Australia, so that ultimately, it might all be just too committed to turn back.)No site has been selected to house the world’s high-level international waste for profit, should the state choose to build one, nor any explanation of how one would be picked. The State Government is yet to overturn laws that ban public money being spent on investigating the establishment of a nuclear dump or even to pick up the phone to ask places like Japan what they would pay…….
The Finnish operators say they would jump at the chance to form an alliance with SA to build a dump here…..
Mr Weatherill is likely to confirm before Christmas that the Government will begin the serious work of developing a robust business case…….
Expect the Government to seek money from overseas to undertake a major geological survey that rules out places too unsafe for disposal to occur. At a cost of up to $1 billion, this is too expensive for SA to fund itself, but could have the benefit of doubling as a discovery tool for new mining deposits.
From there, it is likely the offer will be thrown open to communities to show an interest, and estimates made of what they could receive. Even on the most extremely rapid timeline, that point is unlikely to have been reached by the time voters head to the polls in March 2018.
This project is multi-generational, with a point of no return years away. But it is a doubtful and open question as to whether our politics are up to the job…….Mr Weatherill has framed this as a great test of our democracy’s ability to consider difficult questions and come to wise solutions. … http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/lack-of-trust-more-toxic-than-nuclear-dump-notion-daniel-wills/news-story/e927e455e6f244f35a8b6743bc791adb
to 18 Sept – climate and nuclear news – Australia
CLIMATE. Approaching the First Climate Tipping Point — On Track to Hit 1.5 C Before 2035. Low Arctic sea ice in 2016 – close to record low level. Marshall Islanders culture threatened: emigration as sea level rises. Polar bears losing habitat as sea ice melting earlier, and refreezing later. Extreme drought: the impact of climate change and El Nino on the Amazon rainforest. Climate change endangers nuclear facilities, as water supplies heat up and evaporate.
NUCLEAR. In Britain, Prime Minister Theresa May finally gave the go-ahead for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. This decision, like New York’s decision to subsidise the nuclear industry, will have global effects.
The decision was probably inevitable, given the circumstances. The factors at play were:
- UK government under strong pressure
- Global nuclear lobby’s pressing need for a new ‘poster’ project to start happening. American corporation General Electric ready for contracts.
- For France’s nuclear company EDF , the Hinkley project is their last chance to regain credibility, market their wares, and avoid bankruptcy.
- For China it’s an important overseas marketing coup, and a prelude to more, and lucrative, nuclear projects in Britain.
- Conflicts of interest: Costain engineering company is in Theresa May’s constituency, and is receiving contracts for work in the Hinkley C nuclear project. Top level former UK advisers and civil servants are linked with EDF, former MPs, especially, (but not only) Tories, now work as nuclear lobbyists and advisers to EDF. May’s husband, Philip, works for investment company Capital Group. It, in turn, has a nearly 10% stake in French company Schneider Electric, which has been awarded a contract at Hinkley.
For everyone else, especially the British public, it’s a very bad deal. – E3G, a leading climate change think tank sets out reasons why going ahead with Hinkley is a massive mistake. It is a megaproject which could become a “stranded asset”. After all, Hinkley still might not ever happen. Renewables are faster and better.
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Jay Weatherill dithering on when to make a decision about nuclear waste importing for South Australia. South Australian Premier off to Finland to visit unfinished and costly nuclear waste facility. A nuclear -led economic recovery for South Australia starting 15 years away – no way! says Liberal leader. Taxpayers up for huge costs in South Australia – just for the PLANNING for nuclear waste importing, before any decision. .
Turnbull govt slashes half-a-billion dollars from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency,but doesn’t actually kill it.
The week in Climate and Nuclear News- Australia
NUCLEAR The world was jolted into a renewed awareness of nuclear war danger, today, as North Korea conducted another nuclear bomb test. It may also be miniaturising nuclear warheads, to fit on a missile. President Obama has stated that America will stick to the principle of being willing to make a pre-emptive nuclear strike. However, the “Red Button” nuclear war system can be reformed: Donald Trump’s rise illustrates the need for this. Nuclear war risks lessened by Iran nuclear deal, which should continue in USA’s next administration. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has enduring value.
CLIMATE. The world had better pay attention NOW – to soaring ocean temperatures. Effect of Global Warming on World’s Ocean Circulation is an unknown quantity. More frequent, more powerful Super Typhoons, with climate change. Flooding – a dire hazard to nuclear power stations. USA and China formally ratify Paris climate agreement. Coal lobby is urged to copy tactics of the tobacco lobby!
AUSTRALIA
French anti-nuclear activists force Australian delegation to leave National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA).
Australian govt uses out-dated terminology, to disguise reality of High Level Nuclear waste. Confusion about the two South Australian nuclear waste dump plans.
Australia’s nuclear lobby wants waste dump as a prelude to setting up ‘new nuclear’ in South Asia
Australian uranium companies notorious for exploitation of African communities.
South Australia. Hawker in the middle of the earthquake hazard zone, close to federal govt’s planned nuclear waste dump site.
CLIMATE High Profile Members of Climate Change Authority slam ‘Untrue and Dangerous’ report. Climate Change Authority Special Review: Minority Report. Meaningless climate weasel words from Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg. Australia the Pacific Pariah as it idolises coal. Australia an international pariah? as other nations ratify Paris Climate Agreement.
ENERGY
South Australian govt makes a change- to purchase 75 per cent of its long-term electricity needs.
Queensland. Renewable energy future – Hybrid Solar and Wind Systems ? Queensland is getting one. Queensland University of Technology to divest its fossil fuel shares.
ENERGY Sharp falls predicted for Australia’s thermal coal exports.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding 12 large scale solar projects. Australian Renewable Energy Agency negotiating with govt, trying to save its funding. Farmers get economic safety net, thanks to wind farms. Solar power in Australia working better than expected. Geothermal energy – not necessarily renewable, nor environmentally benign.
Australian business leaders support UN Sustainable Development Goals. Poll shows broad support for green groups using ‘lawfare’ to challenge mining ventures.lems.
Climate and nuclear news to Sept 3rd
NUCLEAR. It is generally acknowledged that the risk of nuclear war is greater right now than it was at the height of the Cold War, and that includes the risk of a nuclear war started by accident. Some “nuclear umbrella” States feel trapped by their nuclear weapons protection.
CLIMATE. It is also becoming acknowledged that the tipping point is approaching, might even be upon us already. Unprecedented pace of global climate change – NASA. $8.8 Trillion Climate Tab left for next generation, if climate “business as usual”.
Governments, media, the public still see these issues in terms of “national interest”, but haven’t made that necessary leap of understanding that demands a global collaborative approach. Pope Francis gets it. So do those most sober and deliberative of scientists – geologists. At the International Geological Congress in Cape Town, on 29th August, an official expert group recommended that a new geological epoch be defined – the Anthropocene epoch. Human impact on Earth is so profound that the most recent epoch, the 12,000 year Holocene, must give way to an epoch defined by nuclear tests, environmental pollution, and changing climate. The most appropriate commencement marker would be the spread of radioactive elements from the nuclear bomb tests beginning in 1950s.
AUSTRALIA
CLIMATE We Aussies are so mad keen to be TOPP, of anything. If we couldn’t top the gold medal tally at the Olympics, well, we’ve managed to top the list of the worst performer on climate change, in every category!. That”s the Australian score from Climate Transparency‘s comprehensive assessment of nations’ climate policies before the G20 summit in China.
The Turnbull government is celebrating this international leadership at the bottom, by gutting the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. This will mean scuppering the solar power industry, and the loss of many jobs, including from CSIRO, and also a damper on the Australian Capital Territory‘s (ACT’s) world-leading push towards 100% renewable energy. Turnbull has also appointed Craig Kelly MP, an outspoken climate denialist, as chairman of the backbench environment and energy committee, that advises the government on environment and energy policies.
Still, there are some silver linings. In ACT the Liberals are backing the ACT government’s renewable energy targets! The Victorian government is banning unconventional gas exploration – fracking and CSG extraction. In South Australia, a State-commissioned report recommends a transport revolution that would cut greenhouse gas emissions, and supply thousands of jobs.
NUCLEAR. South Australia It all fizzes along, with the government’s propaganda forums not always turning out quite the way they wanted. Intrepid souls are attending, and asking awkward questions. This site shows the progress at some forums. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021186047913052/ The government arranged a secret one for schoolchildren and teachers – secret in order to protect them from anti nuclear activists, (such a dangerous species!) Meanwhile the nuclear-free movement organises its own educational forums.
Federal govt slashes safety checks at Ranger uranium mine. Uranium miner ERA forced to cut its assets value.
Australian Nuclear, Climate , News to 27 August
NUCLEAR Articles on weapons and disarmament dominate the nuclear news this week. On Monday 29 August, an international conference entitled ‘Building a Nuclear Weapons Free World’ will take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. That day will also be the 25th anniversary of of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site – largest in the world, where 456 weapons tests happened, leaving a terrible legacy for the people.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for eradication of nuclear weapons. The nuclear working group at the UN concluded its work in Geneva, and the majority of governments voted to recommended that the UN General Assembly set up a conference in 2017 to negotiate a new treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, despite the Australian government’s best efforts to sabotage this. This is one of those times when I am ashamed to be Australian.
CLIMATE. A new study declares that human-caused climate change began at around 1830. (I’ve always thought that it was 1801, because of the 1801 painting Coalbrookdale by Night – attached). Research indicates that the difference between 1.5 C and 2C rise in global temperatures will be significant, and in only 20 years’ time. Huge volume of Greenland Ice Sheet lost each year, due to global warming. Again this year, Indonesia’s blanket of smoke is back. India floods: Over 300 dead, millions affected Louisiana National Guard Rescues 19,000 in Flood-Affected Areas.
AUSTRALIA
NUCLEAR Details on Australia’s disgraceful performance at UN in Geneva can be read here and here. It was pretty stupid and counter-productive, too – made Australia unpopular, and cemented the resolve of other countries for a disarmament conference in 2017. Secretive Pine Gap remains an integral part of USA’s nuclear ‘star wars’ plans (an old newspaper article, still relevant, but now removed from their website)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA‘s nuclear waste dump plan not economically viable? The global nuclear lobby doesn’t care. Roger Cross: Reasons to Reject a Medium and High Level Radioactive Waste Dump in South Australia. SA govt going allout with pro nuclear propaganda forums.
Energy Resources of Australia unable to meet costs of cleaning up Ranger uranium mine. (What a surprise – not)
In Greenland, Indigenous people oppose Australian company’s plan for massive uranium mine in Greenland
CLIMATE CHANGE 154 scientists press Australian government for urgent action on climate change. Australia in grave danger if global warming exceeds 2 C. Adaptation – South Australia in the lead. Australian Government quietly removes Clive Hamilton’s page that listed climate deniers. Adani court decision: Traditional Owners say fight to stop QLD’s Carmichael mine continues.
RENEWABLE ENERGY South Australia: Future Business Council calls for National smart energy grid. Canberra heads to 100% renewable energy, helped by wind power from South Australia. Community solar fund shares sold out in nine minutes!.
Landmark payout for Aboriginal custodians who have lost their native title rights. BUT Suppression of native title for the Mirarr people= extinguishment of rights?
Climate and nuclear news – Australia
Climate change is an emergency – NOW . While some of us have for decades campaigned against the acute and chronic danger of nuclear weapons and nuclear power, I am having to admit that the climate change issue is urgent, in an even more powerful way. That’s because climate change has crept up on the world in an insidious way, so that now it is just about at the tipping point, just about irreversible.
One could argue that, short of a global catastrophe – a nuclear war, the world might still stop the nuclear horror “later on”. There is no “later on” for climate change.
We must fight both of these horrendous global threats.
CLIMATE. It’s winter, so we don’t notice it really, but much of Australia is experiencing an “exceptional” record run of steamy August weather as experts tip 2016 to be the warmest year since records began. Australia had its warmest autumn on record. Media coverage given to serial climate denying pest Sen. Malcolm Roberts.
NUCLEAR. It’s South Australia, as usual. The South Australian Parliament’s Joint Committee on Findings of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission (NFCRC) is underway. Although 4 of the 5 Committee members are actually pro nuclear, the Committee is subjecting the NFCRC to a much needed scrutiny. This is one of the few processes going on, where the NFCRC personnel are not in control. The plan to bring international nuclear wastes to South Australia is particularly interesting to Parliament from the financial point of view. It is doubtful that it will bring the financial bonanza that its chief, Kevin Scarce has touted. Submissions to South Australia Parliament are overwhelmingly opposed to nuclear waste importing.
Meanwhile the other processes continue, the propaganda forums, the move to get rid of laws that prohibit the nuclear industry. Premier Weatherill off to Finland next month to study nuclear waste project. But interestingly, the Liberal Opposition leader Steven Marshall has pulled out of this trip.
Western Australia. Environmental groups put a winning argument against the Yeelirrie uranium project. Aboriginal people will fight planned Vimy uranium mine, despite EPA’s approval of it. Native title win for the Ngurra Kayanta people.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Industry Minister Greg Hunt attacks renewable energy, but Energy Minister Frydenbereg supports it. Victorians, including Liberals want an urgent shift to renewable energy. Senator Nick Xenophon calls on South Australia, Victoria to set up an electricity trading scheme .
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
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