Peaceful protest Oct 7, Melbourne, against Future Fund investing in nuclear weapons
ICAN would like to invite you to a celebratory action against nuclear weapons next Monday 7th October at 1-2pm.
There will be cake, and some nuclear bombs might even make it to the party so this is your chance to give them a good talking to!
12 October Australia’s First National Wind Farm Open Day
Australia’s First National Wind Farm Open Day http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3966 2 Oct 13 The upcoming Australian Wind Farm Open Day will provide a great opportunity for wind power fans and skeptics to get up close to a wind turbine. An interesting point about resistance to wind farms is that many who have concerns about wind turbine noise have never taken the opportunity to hear it in real life. If they did, for some their concerns would perhaps be instantly allayed.
Australia’s inaugural Wind Farm Open Day will be held on Saturday, 12 October 2013 and will assist in dispelling many of the myths associated with the clean and economical electricity production technology.
So far, the following wind farms are part of the event:
– Infigen Energy’s Lake Bonney Wind Farm in South Australia
– AGL’s Macarthur Wind Farm in South Western Victoria
– RATCH Australia’s Starfish Hill Wind Farm near Cape Jervis in South Australia
– RATCH Australia’s Windy Hill Wind Farm at Ravenshoe in Queensland
– TrustPower Australia’s Snowtown Wind Farm in South Australia
According to the Clean Energy Council, which is co-ordinating the event, more wind facilities are to be confirmed.
Open days at each of the wind farms will be much more than just a case of standing in front of a turbine for a few happy-snaps. Guided tours, BBQ’s and other activities will be occurring. For full details of the Australian Wind Farm Open Day and participating facilities,click here.
Wind Power Trivia: In August 2013, wind farms in South Australia provided the equivalent of just under 40 per cent of the state’s power. Nationally, wind power produced eight per cent of the power in the National Electricity Market during August. More than a quarter of South Australia’s electricity was sourced from wind power over the last financial year. Related: Wind Turbine Syndrome – A Communicated Disease?
APEC agreement on renewable energy
APEC agrees to joint efforts to develop renewable energy Linda Yulisman, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali | Headlines | Tue, October 01 2013, Members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed on Monday to establish joint efforts for the development of renewable energy in the 21 member economies.
The agreement was achieved during the first day of the three-day conference on clean, renewable and sustainable use of energy being hosted by Indonesia, this year’s APEC chair, in Nusa Dua, Bali. The agreement will be presented to the APEC senior official meeting Oct. 1 to Oct. 2 for approval.
Lead shepherd of the APEC Energy Working Group, Phyllis Genther Yoshida, said that the 21 economies had struggled to significantly lower the cost of alternative energy and to attract investment for new renewable energy projects, two main challenges they faced in green development.
“Our recommendation will be to move to a more strategic approach, in which we look at all of the different issues within a system rather than individually,” she told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the conference.
The agreed upon joint efforts will include exchange of information, joint studies and the transfer of technology in the development of renewable energy……http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/10/01/apec-agrees-joint-efforts-develop-renewable-energy.html
With art showing across Australia, Telstra acknowledges Aboriginal Land Rights
Telstra acknowledges Land Rights across Australia Aboriginal Art News by Jeremy Eccles | 17.09.13
In recognition of its commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Telstra has rolled out a commissioned Indigenous artwork across its 365 national retail stores and 88 business centres…… http://news.aboriginalartdirectory.com/2013/09/telstra-acknowledges-land-rights-across-australia.php
Warren Mundine by no means the real voice of Australia’s Aborigines
Mundine not the only voice: indigenous leader PATRICIA KARVELAS THE AUSTRALIANSEPTEMBER 27, THE leader of the nation’s peak Aboriginal body has declared the Abbott government must listen to her organisation and not just rely on advice from the Prime Minister’s new indigenous council led by Warren Mundine. -(registered readers only)t: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/mundine-not-the-only-voice-indigenous-leader/story-fn9hm1pm-1226727901973#sthash.TYsbjJKq.dpuf
Strong support for carbon emissions scheme, from leading Australian businesses
Renewable Energy not Swayed by the New Government, Australian Solar Quotes, September 20, 2013 Analysis commissioned by the Climate Institute has revealed that the Abbott Government is planning to cut $4 billion in private funding for the renewable energy industry.
According to reports on Fairfax media, the coalition’s climate change plan will fall $4 billion short of meeting its proposed five per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Instead the Climate Institute’s think tank expects a nine per cent increase in emissions by 2020, ……..A survey of 180 leading companies by AECOM found that 65 per cent of respondents supported an Emissions Trading Scheme, 29 per cent supported a carbon price and a mere seven per cent of businesses supported the coalition’s direct action policy.
According to Andrew Petersen, a spokesperson for Business for a Clean Economy, a group established to endorse carbon pricing, many businesses are still transitioning to a clean energy economy, despite investment in carbon pricing being delayed.http://www.australiansolarquotes.com.au/renewable-energy-swayed-government/
Australia missing a massive renewable energy opportunity – David Suzuki
“Australia should be leading the world with something that has so much dependence, not just capturing that sunlight but manufacturing the products to exploit that sunlight. I think Australia is so tied to the fossil fuel industry it is missing a massive opportunity.”
Suzuki On Abbott And Climate: ‘What The Hell…?’ http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3952 23 Sept 13, David Suzuki hasn’t minced words about the new Australian government’s approach to climate change and renewable energy. “What the hell kind of government is it that comes into office and the first symbolic act is to shut down a source of information?” Professor Suzuki said of the move to ditch the Climate Commission and the Climate Change Authority (CCA).
“Why do we not object to paying for putting garbage into landfill, but we shout like mad when we put a price on putting carbon into the atmosphere?” The carbon tax has little impact on the average Australian, who receives compensation for any effects under the Household Assistance Package.
Earlier this month, Professor Suzuki said the Australian government is too strongly influenced by the mining sector and that the carbon tax was essential to developing our renewable energy industry.
“Australians have something that Canadians will kill for, that is sunlight,” he said in an interview with Lara Shannon. Continue reading
100 per cent of power from clean energy would be technically viable by 2030
”The greatest threat to renewable energy in Australia is Tony Abbott, who would cut key programs like the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, emissions trading scheme and reduce or scrap the Renewable Energy Target,’
Renewable energy study tips viable reality by 203 August 24, 2013 The Age Peter Hannam Carbon economy editor Renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro power could supply electricity at prices comparable to fossil fuels by 2030, according to a study commissioned by the federal government.
Modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator shows that 100 per cent of power from clean energy would be technically viable by 2030 – although with a price tag ranging from $219 billion to $252 billion. Continue reading
Australia moves backward on climate action, as USA moves forward
Prof Sherwood said the best way to solve the long-term problems of climate change was to move away from burning coal – a strategy clearly backed by President Obama. “I don’t know how viable it (the Coalition plan) is to meet the targets, but I’m not too optimistic,” he said.
Australia being left behind on clean energy http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/Australia-being-left-behind-on-clean-energy/2027248/ AUSTRALIA appears in danger of being left behind on climate change, as United States President Barack Obama moves to cut carbon emissions from America’s power stations. The US move, reported by the New York Times, signals the Obama administration has firmed its resolve to tackle emissions after a year of coal industry opposition to the plan.
President Obama first announced the plans a year ago and the US Environmental Protection Authority was expected to announce the limits on emissions on Saturday, Australian time. The plan will bypass Congress to force new and existing American power plants to limit their overall carbon emissions. Continue reading
Forums to explore rural New south Wales attitudes to wind power
Hope renewable energy co-op lead study will discover why concerns exist about wind power ABC News, 18 Sep 2013, A series of forums will start in the region next week, as part of an investigation into community concerns about wind energy.
The state government’s provided the Central New South Wales Renewable Energy Cooperative with $60,000 to help fund the study.
Chairman Pat Bradbery says Charles Sturt University will participate in the investigation and in a fortnight a video-conference forum will be held at the Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Albury campuses.
There’s been a lot of research about community attitudes, but what hasn’t been done, and what we’re trying to address with this grant money, is what are the concerns people still have about, in particular, wind energy.
Mr Bradbery says the group is using a Sydney University of Technology literature review into community attitudes to wind power as a starting point……..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-18/wind-study/4964506?§ion=news
With Climate Commission gone, Australia lacks authoritative information source
Abbott shuts down Climate Commission (includes opinion poll) Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age 19 Sept 13 Scientists say climate cuts leave public in the dark “………Professor Flannery said Mr Hunt did not indicate to him why the Coalition had abolished the commission. He said a formal letter from the government was on its way.
He said the commission in its work had stayed out of politics and stuck to the facts. “As a result we have developed a reputation as a reliable, apolitical source of facts on all aspects on climate change,” Professor Flannery said.
“I believe Australians have a right to know, a right to authoritative, independent and accurate information on climate change. “We have just seen one of the earliest ever starts to the bushfire season in Sydney following the hottest 12 months on record. Last summer was the hottest on record, breaking over 120 heat records across Australia.
“As global action on climate change deepens, propaganda aimed at misinforming the public about climate change, and so blunting any action, increases.”
Since its creation two years ago, the commission has produced 27 public reports on topics including the effect of climate change in Australia, global action being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the potential of renewable energy. It has also held public forums across the country.
Professor Flannery said it was increasingly difficult for other institutions – such as the CSIRO and universities – to carry out the same role as the commission because of the breadth of information dealt with and that they may be constrained politically.
He said the commission’s activities were to cost about $5 million over four years. “I am extremely proud of what we did. I would have been happy to have continued on but the government has made a decision so that is the way it is,” he said.
In a statement Mr Hunt confirmed that he had dissolved the commission. “As part of the Coalition’s plans to streamline government processes and avoid duplication of services, the commission’s function to provide independent advice and analysis on climate change will be continued by the Department of the Environment,” he said…… http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-shuts-down-climate-commission-20130919-2u185.html#ixzz2fSelP96C
David Suzuki warns on Australia’s fate if we ditch carbon pricing
mining magnates are manipulating the debate in Australia just like they are doing elsewhere. Like the tobacco industry before them, they have known for years that climate change is happening and that burning fossil fuels is at the heart of it. But to maximise their profits they have continued to sow misunderstanding and confusion, funding the sceptics to perpetrate the myth that global warming is junk science.
They should be ignored because there is no confusion in the scientific community about what’s happening to our planet and what the future holds unless we change the way we live.
Tony Abbott will doom future generations if he ditches carbon tax September 18, 2013 SMH, David Suzuki “………..Half the coral on the Great Barrier Reef has disappeared in the past 27 years and its size could halve again in the next decade with degradation of the environment and the increasing frequency of cyclones.
Bushfires in Australia are getting more severe and more frequent. I see in Sydney you have already had your first fires barely a week into spring. And what has your new government done in response? As soon as Mr Abbott won power, he promised to wind back Australia’s recent efforts to combat global warming.
His promise to scrap the carbon tax, a tax which had been a timid step in the right direction, to close down your green energy bank and to reduce the rebates for buying solar panels, all send a terrible signal to your entrepreneurs and to the community.
And all of it is being done in the name of saving the economy.
But for more than 20 years the insurance industry has been telling us we have all been paying more for changes in the climate. Why aren’t we listening to the insurers, the hardest business heads of all?
I would have thought Australia would be leading the world in developing a new economy because climate change is going to devastate Australia. Continue reading
Abbott to shut down jobs as he shuts down Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Abbott axes clean energy jobs: Greens http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/09/18/abbott-axes-clean-energy-jobs-greens Prime minister-elect Tony Abbott’s “illegal” decision to axe the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will hit jobs and the environment, say the Greens. The Australian Greens say the coalition government’s plan to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will wreck job opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
One of the first acts of the new Liberal National government after it is sworn in on Wednesday morning will be to direct the $10 billion CEFC to suspend loans for renewable energy projects.
Prior to the federal election, Senate clerk Rosemary Laing advised the coalition that legislation would be needed to close the so-called green bank and a minister who acted without that legislation could risk “serious legal consequences”.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said incoming prime minister Tony Abbott’s priorities are wrong.
“We know we have to transition to clean renewable energy and here we have Tony Abbott saying he wants to stop the renewable energy industry from being funded,” she told Sky News.
“That is not just breaking the law, it is bad for the environment and it’s going to trash jobs.”
Abbott government to fast track sales of uranium to India
India-Australia nuclear agreement back on track with government change in Australia By ET Bureau | 17 Sep, 2013 DIPANJAN ROY CHAUDHURY NEW DELHI: The return of the Tony Abbott-led Conservatives to power in Australia has put back on fast-track the talks for the nuclear deal. Australia, the world’s largest uranium reserves holder, and India have already held two rounds of negotiations for a ‘safeguard’ agreement that will enable uranium sales for India’s nuclear power plants. “The last round of talks was held in July and the next is scheduled for later this year,” Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling told media on the day Abbott announced his cabinet. While senior officials in the Australian government have refused to put a timeframe for the agreement, they are hopeful that it would be concluded soon.
According to Suckling, setting a date is tough as sometimes even straight-looking issues become complex and drag issues. In 2011, the previous Labour government in Australia changed its long-held stance and reversed the ban on selling uranium to India that has not signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).
It was Abbott’s party that had decided to sell uranium to India in their last term in power and now they are keen to expedite the process. …….http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-australia-nuclear-agreement-back-on-track-with-government-change-in-australia/articleshow/22639037.cms
Warren Mundine – an honorary white, and Tony Abbott’s best mate
Warren Mundine: The white sheep of the family? Warren Mundine’s new “bromance” with Tony Abbott has surprised some, but not Dr Gary Foley, who has watched Mundine steadily tread a path to the Right for years. Independent Australia, 17 Sept 13, IT WOULD SEEM at the present time that the former National President of the ALP, Mr Warren Mundine, has momentarily eclipsed the Cape York Crusader Noel Pearson as the Aboriginal Man of the Moment.
Whilst Mr Mundine may lack the intellectual firepower of Noel Pearson, he has nevertheless elbowed his way to the front of the pack with his dazzling late-life conversion to the cause of all things Tony Abbott. Mundine’s strategic realignment to become best buddies with Abbott at the beginning of the 2013 Federal election campaign may have been a surprise to some, but only those who have not been taking notice of Mundine’s mundane comments on Aboriginal matters over the past few decades…….. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/warren-mundine-the-white-sheep-of-the-family/
Christina’s note : It should also be noted that Warren Mundine is co-convener of the Australian Uranium Association’s Indigenous Dialogue Group, and has been promoting the nuclear industry recently. Unfortunately he turns a blind eye to the industry’s crude racism, a problem that ought to be core business for the Indigenous Dialogue Group.
Most alarming of all, Mundine advocates the “full nuclear cycle”. That means Australia not only having nuclear power, but taking in nuclear waste from overseas countries.
Mundine says that Australia has “a legal framework to negotiate equitably with the traditional owners on whose land many uranium deposits are found”. He ought to have noted that legislation was passed specifically to exempt the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory from the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.
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/235274195556
20 May – Webinar – The dangerous world of AUKUS, US, military occupation and suppression of dissent
National Webinar, 20th May, 2026, 6.30pm AEST. Confronting laws restricting/suppressing protest speech and action
Speakers: Former Sen. Rex Patrick, Lawyer Nick Hanna ,Arthur Rorris ,Jorgen Doyle, Sen David Shoebbridge,
Facilitator Kelley Tranter.
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 