Record flood disasters in Eastern Australia, (but nobody mentions the climate change connection)
NSW floods: State added to insurance catastrophe declaration as waters rise, SMH Peter Hannam, 31 Mar 17, The widespread flooding in northern NSW has prompted the Insurance Council of Australia to add the region to its catastrophe declaration in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.
Flood waters were expected to peak on Thursday afternoon for rivers in the state’s north, with the Tweed, Wilsons and Richmond valleys of most concern.Lismore, a major centre on the Wilsons River, had its 10.6 metre levee breached, with flood waters expected to peak at about 11.8 metres, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
The Insurance Council’s declaration comes as some 7500 claims for damage had been lodged from Queensland alone after the category-four cyclone slammed into the coast near Bowen and the Whitsunday Islands on Tuesday.
“This is only the early stage of a natural disaster and I expect the insurance losses could reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars as householders and businesses return to their properties and lodge claims,” Rob Whelan, chief executive of the council, said.
“This level of catastrophe has not been seen since ex-tropical cyclone Oswald in 2014, when storms and flooding affected large parts of Queensland and NSW and caused insurance losses of almost $1.2 billion.”….A 2013 report in 2013 by Deloitte Access Economics for the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience & Safer Communities found disasters were costing $560 million a year now in terms of economic and social disruption, a figure predicted to soar to $33 billion by 2050 in part because of climate change…….
“There is a predicted increase of rainfall intensity of 30-40 per cent in some areas so it means floods are going to be bigger and more frequent,” http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/nsw-floods-state-added-to-insurance-catastrophe-declaration-as-waters-rise-20170331-gvan9y.html
Thousands of homes evacuated as floods cause havoc in Australia, RTE 31 Mar 2017 Swollen rivers have flooded entire towns along Australia’s east coast, cutting roads and leaving residents clinging to roofs and floating down streets in boats after the remnants of a powerful cyclone swept through the region.
Thousands attend #StopAdani Roadshow
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/thousands-attend-stopadani-roadshow
31 March 2017: “The #StopAdani Roadshow attracted thousands of supporters across the country, who oppose the federal and Queensland government’s support for Adani’s $22 billion Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland.
“About 1200 people in Brisbane on March 28 and 1000 in Sydney the next day heard from Indian environment campaigner Dr Vaishali Patil, Californian Clean Energy Fund director Danny Kennedy, SEED co-director Millie Telford and 350org CEO Blair Palese. … “
Outback South Australians bribed with false promises by federal govt’s nuclear waste dump plan
The minuscule one off payment or bribe of $10 million to promote a radioactive environment for a South Australian community may give five to fifteen people jobs. It is these jobs that are the “ONLY” spoils of this war, if we fail to keep deadly radioactive waste out of SA. yet how many jobs will be sacrificed at the only true purposely built high grade nuclear waste dump in Australia with the technical and security support to handle it, the place we call ANSTO or will they relocate some of their work force to SA to be the 5 to 15 workers?
People of the region that espouse to this evil may be naive to believe that $10 million will go as far as to build a forever new hospital, freeway into their town or a shopping mall and school, with a influx of hundreds to utilize these structures and utilities. One local to Hawker may think that his job has a fancy title and may build his esteem to be in such position, but a job mopping or sweeping the floor in a operating theatre does not make you a surgeon.
Canberra’s Beyond Uranium Campaign Launched
Beyond Uranium Campaign Launched on 29 March https://www.facebook.com/events/724810351028103/ This is the start of a Canberra group to resist Uranium mining and nuclear waste dumps.
Information about whats going on in Australias nuclear industries.
Brainstorming what we can do about it.
Speakers : Some words from Caroline Le Couteur: Greens representative in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
-Jillian Marsh: A member of the Adnyamathanha group, Traditional Owners of the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australiawhere a radioactive waste dump has been proposed. She is closely aligned with the interests of people at the local level who feel strongly about the impacts of mining and development on Traditional land.
Jillian is an Indigenous Researcher at the ANU focusing on Indigenous site protection, Cultural Heritage Management and Native Title negotiations, Australian languages, Aboriginal Higher Education and Research ethics, Minerals and Energy Resources Management.
Murdoch media’s Twitter spat against renewables
Murdoch media vs Renewables: Anatomy of a Twitter spat, REneweconomy By Sophie Vorrath on 28 March 2017
The heated exchanged started when Owen – who this morning published an article on the report titled “Wind farms key” to SA blackout – took a swipe at the South Australian government for its response to the report.
Seemingly undaunted by AEMO’s actual findings – which have since been reiterated in a news briefing by AEMO chair Tony Marxsen, who said the system black had “very little” to do with the type of generation, and that it “was not about renewables” – Owen tweeted:……http://reneweconomy.com.au/murdoch-media-vs-renewables-anatomy-of-a-twitter-spat-32388/
Australia’s urgent need for long-term planning on energy, especially on energy efficiency
Gas crisis? Energy crisis? The real problem is lack of long-term planning, The Conversation, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University, March 20, 2017 “……The long view
When we consider the long term, we must recognise that we need to slash our carbon emissions. So coal is out, as is any overall expansion of natural gas production.
Luckily, we have other affordable long-term solutions. The International Energy Agency, as well as Australian analysts such as ClimateWorks and Beyond Zero Emissions, see energy efficiency improvement as the number-one strategy – and in many cases, it actually saves us money and helps to offset the impact of higher energy prices. Decades of cheap gas and electricity mean that Australian industry, business and households have enormous potential to improve energy efficiency, which would save on cost.
We can also switch from fossil gas to biogas, solar thermal and high-efficiency renewable electricity technologies such as heat pumps, micro-filtration, electrolysis and other options.
Renewable energy (not just electricity) can supply the rest of our needs. Much to the surprise of many policymakers, it is now cheaper than traditional options and involves much less investment risk. Costs are continuing to fall.
But we need to supplement renewable energy with energy storage and smart demand management to ensure reliable supply. That’s where options such as pumped hydro storage, batteries and heat-storage options such as molten salt come in.
This is why the crisis is more political than practical. The solutions are on offer. It will become much more straightforward if politicians free themselves from being trapped in the past and wanting to prop up powerful incumbent industries. https://theconversation.com/gas-crisis-energy-crisis-the-real-problem-is-lack-of-long-term-planning-74705
Historic time for Australia’s solar energy movement
25 years on, solar industry finds itself in midst of historic moment, REneweconomy
By Nigel Morris on 20 March 2017 Every now and again if you are really lucky, you get to observe what’s going on around you and bear witness to history in the making, a unique event or occurrence that is unlikely to ever happen again or something representative of a small milestone in mankind’s history.
I’ve been called “The Big Kev of Solar” for my gushing enthusiasm and excitement around solar energy, but bear with me for a minute.
A few months ago, the idea of holding a small party for twenty or thirty solar pioneers came to life. With a precedent at a similar US event, a small group of Australians figured it was time we celebrated too and on Friday night that came to life in Sydney.
We figured we had something a bit special on our hands when the numbers passed fifty, and by the time the doors opened almost eighty guests who had passed our 25 year minimum service requirement for entry steadily streamed in…..
Our event was designed to celebrate not only what happened, but more importantly, where are today and where we are headed. The fact that every single person in that room (and many more who couldn’t make it) had contributed in their own small way made it a joyful, exciting and genuinely uplifting experience.
We heard countless fascinating stories about key events in the formative years of the industry but also bore witness to the continuation of this work through common threads, right up to today……
This event was also a great reminder that the solar industry is a wonderfully diverse and eclectic mix of people and disciplines.
We have the world’s best solar scientists. We have leading, highly innovative manufacturers. We have forward thinking and genuinely visionary leaders. And of course we have steadfast, reliable and hard working people who pull it all together and get it sold and installed.
There were also some thought provoking observations about our group and the trials, tribulations and success that have occurred.
Almost without exception everyone in the room has managed to make a living, bring up their families and survive off the proceeds of solar energy for more than two decades; no small feat on its own.
However, only a very tiny proportion have made substantial money from our industry and even less have managed to hang on to any wealth, typically re-investing it and doubling down if they were so lucky to have made it in the first place.
One observer of the event highlighted to me that there is also a bit of a consistent theme when you look at the people who qualified as solar pioneers.
“In the majority of cases, solar pioneers are not the owners of mass market highly successful solar companies in Australia. They seem to have a habit of bouncing between companies or business opportunities that are typically just ahead of the curve which sadly prevents them from reaping huge financial rewards and stranding them in the perpetually volatile world of high risk start-ups. That’s not necessarily a bad thing or a problem, but it is a shame.”……http://reneweconomy.com.au/25-years-solar-industry-finds-midst-historic-moment-43962/
Australian cricketing great Ian Chappell wants Adani solar, but NOT Adani coal mine
“We reiterated that we welcome Adani’s investment in solar in Australia but are steadfast in our opposition to their coalmine.”
Ian Chappell stands by Adani mine letter despite being called ‘elitist’ by Coalition MP
Adani ‘categorically’ rejects letter signed by 91 prominent Australians as protesters confront Queensland premier during tour of Adani’s Indian HQ, Guardian, Joshua Robertson, 17 Mar 17, Cricket great Ian Chappell has stood by his opposition to the Adani mine proposal as part of a group of prominent Australians branded “elitist wankers” by a federal government MP and “a very small group of misled people” by the Indian miner. Continue reading
Annabel Crabbe’s version of The Man From Snowy River
The Man From Snowy River then clapped on his Driza-Bone
His hat and his elastic sided boots.
He summoned his advisers via WhatsApp, text and phone.
“We need a press announcement, friends! When suits?”
Malcolm, the man from Snowy Hydro, powers on http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/malcolm-the-man-from-snowy-hydro-powers-on-20170317-gv0j8b.html Annabel Crabb
There was fear across the nation, for the word had passed around
That the gas reserves were ebbing fast away.
With power stations closing… Hell! The problem was profound.
Soon lovely Adelaide would fade to grey. Continue reading
Bill Shorten in climate talks with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Shorten to talk climate with Terminator http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/shorten-to-talk-climate-with-terminator/news-story/64236e9907755f8e9dc0e16c2333c664 Lisa Martin, Australian Associated Press March 18, 2017
Bill Shorten hopes Arnold Schwarzenegger can add some muscle to Labor’s push for action on climate change. The former California governor and Hollywood star is in Melbourne this weekend for the Arnold Classic, an annual mutli-sport festival which features body builders.
Schwarzenegger and the opposition leader will meet on the sidelines of the kids expo on Saturday.
Mr Shorten praised Schwarzenegger’s track record in the fight against carbon pollution.”Anyone who’s seen his work knows he’s a straight-shooter determined to save the planet,” Mr Shorten said.”He sticks to his principles, even when the going gets tough.”
California’s economy is the sixth largest in the world – a feat achieved in part because it is an attractive and stable environment for renewable energy investment, Mr Shorten said.
The Turnbull government has repeatedly attacked Labor over its policy to establish a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
An emissions intensity scheme? But Turnbull is in the grip of the climate denialists
We need them to fix the unconscionable mess they made. We need the government to get this right. They really do owe us that much….
Right now we have the deeply odd spectre of every major business group in the country (minus the Minerals Council, which can’t seem to find its constructive gene) telling the government that the market signal required to drive future investment in the energy market, and reduce emissions at least cost to households and businesses, is a form of carbon trading known as an emissions intensity scheme.
Delicate feelings can, in contemporary politics, triumph over facts.
We have the strange sense right at the moment that a Liberal government could emerge from this process arguing that regulation, or more boondoggles, like Direct Action, are preferable to a simple market mechanism. A curious posture for the party of free markets.
The government must fix this unconscionable energy mess – it owes us that much Guardian, Katharine Murphy, 17 Mar 17 “……. what might the prime minister be up to?
It is possible all this blather is about subduing his own internal critics – a small prime ministerial fan dance of distraction while you get on with the business of trying to set up what needs to happen. Continue reading
Critics of Australia’s Carmichael coal mine project ramp up fight
Karen Graham | Digital Journal’s Editor-at-Large for environmental news
http://www.digitaljournal.com/business/critics-of-australia-s-carmichael-coal-mine-project-ramp-up-fight/article/487763 13 March 2017:
” … The BBC is reporting the big complaint making the rounds today is the Australian government’s plan to give Adani a $1.0 billion loan to build its rail line to the coast. Many critics claim this infrastructure will become an obsolete asset in short order. …
“Frank Jotzo, director of the Australian National University’s Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, told the BBC:
“It’s questionable whether this mine will still be a viable proposition in two decades’ time, whereas infrastructure such as a rail line or port expansion [also planned by Adani] would have a lifetime of 50 to 100 years.” … “
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science makes fanciful claims on their ability to manage nuclear waste dump for South Australia
Paul Waldon Fight To Stop Nuclear Waste Dump In Flinders Ranges SA March 11
Ignorance of Australia’s pro nuclear politicians and lobbyists
Paul Waldon Fight To Stop Nuclear Waste Dump In Flinders Ranges SA, 12 Mar 17
Nuclear fuel and waste has the “Midas touch” when it comes to radioactive contamination
Thought for the day: Nuclear Fuel Cycle Watch South Australia, Derek Abbott, 13 Mar 17 Nuclear advocates love to wax lyrical about how dense nuclear fuel (and hence waste) is. They say the darnedest simplistic things such as “all the world’s fuel rods would barely fill a football pitch.”
But they are forgetting that nuclear fuel & waste has the “Midas touch”….everything it touches also becomes non-recyclable waste: the dry casks, the nuclear vessels, all containment materials, rod assemblies, cladding, reaction moderators, the metals within processing and enrichment plants, centrifuges, robotic equipment that touches fuel, clothing of workers that comes into contact with fuel/waste dust etc etc. The list is endless and the waste mountain is huge.
A case in point is Fukushima. Whilst it is indeed a more extreme example, it nevertheless highlights the ‘magic’ of the Midas touch that nuclear has. For example, to date, in addition to the fuel itself Fukushima has accumulated:
a) 870,000 tons of stored contaminated water with nowhere to go
b) 3,519 containers of radioactive sludge
c) 64,700 cubic metres of discarded compressed safety clothing
d) 80,000 cubic meters of contaminated trees
e) 200,400 cubic meters of radioactive rubble
f) 3.5 billion gallons of contaminated soil
That’s a heck of a waste management problem that will run into hundreds of billions of dollars by the time they are done.https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021186047913052/
1 This month
Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes – A good documentary on Chernobyl on SBS available On Demand for the next 3 weeks– https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/chernobyl-the-lost-tapes/2352741955560
15 April – Zoom –Nuclear Power is Not the Solution
Apr 15, 2026 01:00 AM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) on Tuesday, April 14th for a timely webinar exploring the risks associated with nuclear power and challenging the myth that it offers a simple, safe, carbon-free solution to the climate crisis
21 April Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-04-21 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-04-21 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.
Host Contact Info: australia@icanw.org
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 