High levels of radiation detected near start of 2020 Olympic Torch Relay
Nuclear Radiation Hot Spots Found At Starting Point Of Japan’s 2020 Olympic Torch Relay https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/12/nuclear-radiation-hot-spots-found-at-starting-point-of-japans-2020-olympic-torch-relay/, George Dvorsky, Dec 5, 2019, High levels of radiation have been detected near Japan’s J-Village, a sports facility and the starting point of the upcoming Olympic torch relay, according to Greenpeace. The discovery was made by surveyors with Greenpeace Japan, which warns that monitoring and decontamination efforts in Fukushima are inadequate.
Radiation levels as high as 71 microsieverts per hour were found on the surface near J-Village in northeastern Japan, according to a Greenpeace press release issued Wednesday. This level of radiation is hundreds of times greater than what’s stipulated in Japan’s decontamination guidelines, prompting Greenpeace Japan to demand that the Japanese government conduct regular radiation monitoring and decontamination of regions affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
J-Village National Training Centre is in Fukushima prefecture, which is located 20 kilometres from the damaged nuclear power plant. This sports facility will be the starting point of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, which is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2020. That J-Village was chosen as the starting point for the relay is by design, as the Japanese government is promoting the games as the “reconstruction Olympics.” The Olympics will begin on July 24, 2020 in Tokyo, some 239 kilometres from the damaged reactors.
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J-Village recently underwent renovations, and the facility was used to host the Argentina team during the Rugby World Cup held just a few weeks ago, according to Reuters. And as the Guardian reports, the facility served as a “logistics hub” for crews working to manage and decommission the damaged reactors. The readings were made over a two-hour period on October 26 by Greenpeace’s Nuclear Monitoring & Radiation Protection Advisors. High levels of radiation were detected along the boundary of the parking lot and a forest next to J-Village, reports Sankei Shimbun. Readings at ground level were as high as 71 microsieverts, which is 308.7 times more than the nationally accepted 0.23 microsieverts per hour—the standard for decontamination—and 1,775 times the level prior to the Fukushima disaster, according to Greenpeace. Continue reading |
South Korea to ensure that its Olympic team gets radiation-free food
South Korea team to bring radiation detectors to Tokyo Olympics over ‘contamination fears’, Independent 4 Dec 19,
Committee claim food may be compromised despite lifting of Fukushima-related restrictions, Ju-min Park,
Japan has posted data to show the country is safe from Fukushima radiation and many countries have lifted Fukushima-related food restrictions.
The Korea Sports & Olympic Committee (Ksoc) plans to ship red pepper paste, a key ingredient in Korean dishes, and other foods, and check for radiation in meat and vegetables that can only be sourced locally due to stringent quarantine rules, a Ksoc meals plan report shows.
Apparently, ingredients and food will be transported from South Korea as much as possible, possibly including canned food,” Shin Dong-keun, a ruling Democratic Party member of the parliamentary sports committee who was recently briefed by Ksoc, told Reuters in an interview.
“For this Olympic games, food is our team’s main focus so they can provide safe meals for the athletes to erase radiation worries, as opposed to in the past, food was meant to play the supplementary role of helping with their morale.”
Ksoc plans to arrange local Korean restaurants to prepare meals for baseball and softball players competing in Fukushima, as shipping boxed lunches from Tokyo is not feasible, it said in the “2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Meals Support Centre Plan”.
“These Korean restaurants should only handle food confirmed as radiation free.”…….
Radiation Hot Spots
Greenpeace said on Wednesday that radiation hot spots have been found at the J-Village sports facility in Fukushima where the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay will begin.
South Korea has stepped up demands for a Japanese response to concerns food produced in the Fukushima area and nearby sea could be contaminated by radiation from the Fukushima plant…….
The official said South Korea was preparing a separate meals plan due to concerns from the public and politicians over food safety, unlike the United States and Australia whose athletes will mainly eat food provided by the host country, Japan. ……
The South Korean Olympic committee plan to purchase radiation detecting equipment by February and station an inspector at its own cafeteria in Tokyo during the games to check contamination levels, according to the Ksoc report.
The budget for the Tokyo Olympics meals service is earmarked at 1.7 billion won (£1.2bn), which includes twice the amount of money for buying and shipping ingredients than previous games, according to the committee. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/tokyo-2020-olympics-south-korea-radiation-fukushima-nuclear-disaster-a9232291.html
Many pitfalls in adopting Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – not a viable solution to climate change
‘Many issues’ with modular nuclear reactors says environmental lawyer, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/many-issues-modular-nuclear-1.5381804
Three premiers have agreed to work together to develop the technology, Jordan Gill · CBC News Dec 03, 2019 Modular nuclear reactors may not be a cure for the nation’s carbon woes, an environmental lawyer said in reaction to an idea floated by three premiers.
Theresa McClenaghan, executive director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, said the technology surrounding small reactors has numerous pitfalls, especially when compared with other renewable energy technology.
This comes after New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to work together to develop the technology.
The premiers say the smaller reactors would help Canada reach its carbon reduction targets but McClenaghan, legal counsel for the environmental group, disagrees.
“I don’t think it is the answer,” said McClenaghan. “I don’t think it’s a viable solution to climate change.”
McClenaghan said the technology behind modular reactors is still in the development stage and needs years of work before it can be used on a wide scale.
“There are many issues still with the technology,” said McClenaghan. “And for climate change, the risks are so pervasive and the time scale is so short that we need to deploy the solutions we already know about like renewables and conservation.”
Waste, security concerns: lawyer
While nuclear power is considered a low-carbon method of producing electricity, McClenaghan said the waste that it creates brings its own environmental concerns.
“You’re still creating radioactive waste,” said McClenaghan.
“We don’t even have a solution to nuclear fuel waste yet in Canada and the existing plans are not taking into account these possibilities.”
McClenanghan believes there are national security risks with the plan as well. She said having more reactors, especially if they’re in rural areas, means there’s a greater chance that waste or fuel from the reactors could be stolen for nefarious purposes.
“You’d be scattering radioactive materials, potentially attractive to diversion, much further across the country,” said the environmental lawyer.
Australian slammed for using First Nations people to try and dodge climate bill — RenewEconomy
Australia awarded second Fossil of the Day, as negotiators use Aboriginal Australians to argue against taking responsibility for climate damage. The post Australian slammed for using First Nations people to try and dodge climate bill appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Australian slammed for using First Nations people to try and dodge climate bill — RenewEconomy
Hiding in the past, destroying the future — John Quiggin
As I write this, the haze of smoke from the now-continuous bushfires is hanging over Brisbane, as it is over Sydney and other cities. It’s scarcely surprising that the Morrison government is doing its best to ignore the problem, but you might think the official Opposition would be making some noise about it. Not likely!…
via Hiding in the past, destroying the future — John Quiggin
NCH Launches built-for-purpose solar Panel cleaner for harsh Australian conditions — RenewEconomy
Demand is increasing with the improved efficiency and lifespan of solar systems, which are returning better investment than ever. The post NCH Launches built-for-purpose solar Panel cleaner for harsh Australian conditions appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via NCH Launches built-for-purpose solar Panel cleaner for harsh Australian conditions — RenewEconomy
Morrison carves up environment and energy, praises Taylor for waving big stick — RenewEconomy
Federal environment and energy department abolished in end of year shake up that will see the portfolios separated once again. The post Morrison carves up environment and energy, praises Taylor for waving big stick appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Morrison carves up environment and energy, praises Taylor for waving big stick — RenewEconomy
Australia’s biggest businesses could deliver “a Yallourn” of new wind and solar — RenewEconomy
Australian companies committed to 100% renewables now represent almost 25% of the value of the ASX, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. The post Australia’s biggest businesses could deliver “a Yallourn” of new wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Australia’s biggest businesses could deliver “a Yallourn” of new wind and solar — RenewEconomy
December 4 Energy News — geoharvey
Opinion: ¶ “From Bird-Friendly Coffee To Chocolate Safe For The Rainforest, These Holiday Gifts Give Back” • In 2019, Impact Your World highlighted many of those who make a difference, from fighting to stop rainforest loss and bird extinction to setting up safe spaces for sex-trafficking victims. Here are low-impact ways to help while giving […]
APA officially opens new 20MW solar plant next to W.A. wind farm — RenewEconomy
APA officially opens Badgingarra solar farm in Western Australia wheatbelt region, where it is co-located with a larger wind farm. The post APA officially opens new 20MW solar plant next to W.A. wind farm appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via APA officially opens new 20MW solar plant next to W.A. wind farm — RenewEconomy
How Australia’s rooftop solar boom can be good news for the grid — RenewEconomy
Rooftop solar has unveiled voltage issues in the grid, but is not necessarily the cause. A new study shows how it can help address these voltage issues. The post How Australia’s rooftop solar boom can be good news for the grid appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via How Australia’s rooftop solar boom can be good news for the grid — RenewEconomy
NSW installs record 60MW of rooftop solar in November — RenewEconomy
A record 60MW of rooftop solar installed in NSW in November – a new monthly high for any state in Australia – as 200MW national figure broken again. The post NSW installs record 60MW of rooftop solar in November appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via NSW installs record 60MW of rooftop solar in November — RenewEconomy
Morrison’s bushfire response nets Australia’s first ‘Fossil of the Day’ award at climate talks — RenewEconomy
Morrison’s preference for cricket over climate action sees Australia awarded first ‘Fossil of the Day’ at Madrid talks. The post Morrison’s bushfire response nets Australia’s first ‘Fossil of the Day’ award at climate talks appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Huge influx of solar will reduce risk of power outages this summer, says AEMO — RenewEconomy
AEMO says power supply at risk from extreme heat, bushfires and failing coal plants, but the massive growth in solar will reduce risk of outages. The post Huge influx of solar will reduce risk of power outages this summer, says AEMO appeared first on RenewEconomy.
via Huge influx of solar will reduce risk of power outages this summer, says AEMO — RenewEconomy
Sydney afflicted with smoke, as many fires out of control in New South Wales
 Sydney set for more ‘poor’ air quality as NSW South Coast bushfires continue to burn, SBS, 3 Dec 19, The Bureau of Meteorology says smoke is forecast to linger in parts of Sydney on Tuesday, creating “poor” air quality in the city…….. The state government says air quality on Tuesday will be “poor due to particles” from the extensive smoke coming from bushfires burning across the state……
There were 119 bush and grass fires burning across NSW on Monday evening with 48 of these uncontained. The out-of-control fire at Currowan is burning across almost 25,000 hectares and is being pushed east towards coastal communities but tempered overnight as gusty northeasterly winds moderated…… Two million hectares of NSW land have been burnt since July in more than 7000 fires, with authorities dubbing it the “most challenging bushfire season ever”. Six people have died while 673 homes have been destroyed to date. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-set-for-more-poor-air-quality-as-nsw-south-coast-bushfires-continue-to-burn |
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1 This month.
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
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
19 May – Webinar- Webinar: No Nuclear Weapons in Australia
Start: 2026-05-19 18:00:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
End: 2026-05-19 19:30:00 UTC Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney (GMT+10:00)
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 