NUCLEAR POWER and ETHICS – theme for December 2010
The unethical nature of nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and the entire nuclear fuel cycle is becoming more obvious, as its history unfolds. On grounds of nuclear weapons spread, unsolved wastes problem, health and environment, effects on indigenous and poor peoples, injustice to today’s and future generations – and even the sheer financial costs for now and the future – it is clear that “atoms for peace” is a false and unethical enterprise.
Why is it so rare for ‘important’ people to face up to the evil nature of the whole nuclear fuel cycle? It’s not just money. Is it that so much of their reputation, their work has already been invested in nuclear? just too much effort to change track
Like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, who said “For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er”
(Image from MACBETH IS A BAD, BAD MAN design by Dave Shanker&Danilo Groppa, Charles W. Flanagan High School, Macbeth – Webquest)
However, some notable Australians have changed track, and next week, this blog heading will take a more positive view of Australians and nuclear power
Push to call nuclear power ‘RENEWABLE” for Australia
Sawyer suggests the MRET [ mandatory renewable energy target]scheme cover nuclear power to the years out to 2050, rising, for example, to 30 per cent by 2030, 40 per cent by 2040 and 50 per cent by 2050 so that by 2050 Australia will have 25 nuclear reactors.
PM, blow apart the Greens Janet Albrechtsen The Australian November 24, 2010“………….In a letter to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, long-time ALP member Phil Sawyer sets out a … great idea. “the simple declaration that the MRET [mandatory renewable energy target] legislation will be changed to recognise nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power. ….. Continue reading
Professor Ian Lowe counters nuclear spin in Australia
Professor Ian Lowe, the president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the report was deeply flawed. ”Given that wind or solar thermal could be providing cheap, low-carbon power within a year or two, and a reactor is probably decades away, there is simply no convincing argument for it.
Call for nuclear plants to combat warming, Sydney Morning Herald, Ben Cubby November 26, 2010 Continue reading
Australia’s nuclear lobby steps up the spin, in fear of renewables’ success
The nuclear lobby fears the success of renewable energy. This is a pressing reason for stepping up nuclear spin in Australia today.
The cheerleader of pro-nuclear, anti-renewables spin is THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper. Their “environment editor” Graham Lloyd, is more of an Anti Environment editor. Today’s edition (27 Nov) has no less than three articles promoting nuclear power, and rubbishing wind energy.
We have foot-soldiers of nuclear spin – Jennifer Marohasy, Janet Albrechtsen, Martin Nicholson, Tom Biegler and Barry Brook getting coverage in the mainstream media. And even Australian Radiation Protection Society getting lectures on how we need nuclear powered submarines, and the” ideal of having a national nuclear industry”
Minister for Resources, Martin Ferguson launched a technical paper that portrays nuclear power as an economic option for Australia
Internationally, papers are appearing on the theme of ionising radiation being “good for you”.
The nuclear lobby has very little time, (with most nuclear reactors soon reaching their close-down date) to market its product against its popular and fast-developing competitors – renewable energy and energy efficiency. – Christina Macpherson
Anti-uranium and Climate Action protests targeting Paladin
The Angela Pamela project is owned by Paladin and Canada’s Cameco Corp………Paladin could also come under pressure today from the Climate Advocacy Fund, which claims the WA miner is not providing a satisfactory level of information about its carbon footprint.
Paladin to face anti-nuclear protest at AGM – The West Australian, PETER KLINGER, November 25, 2010, Paladin Energy is set for a showdown with the anti-nuclear lobby at its annual meeting in Perth today amid a heightened level of protest against uranium miners. Continue reading
Nuclear test soldiers used as guinea pigs for radiation studies
It was decided the Armed Forces would be used as ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ in order to discover the effects radiation would have on the Human Body…..The experiment was not concluded at the end of the testing of the nuclear devices! It is still ongoing.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, by Dave Whyte One of the ‘Human Guinea Pigs’ 26 Nov 10,
After WWII the British Government decided they would develop their own nuclear deterrent and made plans to conduct the tests at remote areas in Australia and the Pacific Continue reading
Australian soldiers and Aborigines affected by nuclear test court case
About 200 Australian veterans, widows and children of veterans had planned their own class action against the British government. Aborigines affected were also closely watching the verdict.
The British veterans are deciding whether to appeal, while the Australians are now considering an action against the Australian government.
British ruling hits Diggers’ bid for bomb test damages, The Age, DAN OAKES, 24 Nov 10, AUSTRALIAN veterans’ hopes of compensation for exposure to nuclear testing in the 1950s hang by a thread after a British court decision. Continue reading
A legal setback, but British nuclear veterans will fight on
“I’m convinced that if we took this to the European Court of Human Rights, we would win our case…..We are fighting for justice – not money.
Australian soldiers exposed to depleted uranium at Maralinga
An Australian royal commission first discovered the use of depleted uranium in atomic tests at Maralinga some 14 years ago, but the government failed to take any action at the time.
Depleted uranium used at Maralinga, Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, 23 Nov 10, Australian Government Confirms Depleted Uranium Used in 1950s The Australian Federal Government announced that it will conduct a health study of Australian volunteers who worked at Maralinga, a British nuclear test site. Continue reading
British nuclear veterans speak out; radiation cover-ups will be revealed
This verdict may not be an end yet to the Ministry of Defence’s denial of truth and justice but it signals the beginning of the end.
The Redfern Report reveals that scientists and doctors from the National Health Service ( NHS ) , the Medical Research Council ( MRC ) , the National Radiological Protection Board ( NRPB ) and the Atomic Weapons Establishment ( AWE ) examined and then destroyed evidence of exposure to ionising radiation with the aid of coroners and pathologist to enable the Ministry of Defence to avoid accountability for future damage claims . These are facts veterans and widows are passing to the legal team of Rosenblatts ..
UK legal case – nuclear veterans’ claim is far from over
the fact that Mrs Sinfield’s case concerning her late husband
Bert can take place in a full court hearing where all the scientific evidence held on ionising radiation damage to health will be revealed is good news .
British govt has partial legal win against nuclear veterans
Radiation scanning company spent millions lobbying U.S. govt
Body Scanner Radiation Machine Makers Spent Millions On Lobbying, Wall Street Window, – Mike Swanson (11/22/10) The truth comes out. USA Today reports that L-3 Communications, which makes the TSA radiation scanning machines at the center of controversy spent millions on lobbying government officials over the past few years to get government contracts to build the machines. Continue reading
Radiation sexism – pilots exempt from scanning, flight attendants not
Australia’s stupidity over skin cancer and radiation
Ain’t it great! Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world! You can see how stupid we are, at any beach, with bodies determinedly exposing themselves to ultra-violet radiation and skin cancer.
Well, the Australian government is either just as stupid as the public, or perhaps banks on the apathy of Australians. Australia is to compund our skin cancer risk by installing the radiation “back scatter’ scanning security at airports. bad luck for airline crews and frequent flyers. We won’t even get thge choice of a pat-down (that might be a bit embarrassing, but its not cancerous). If you keep up with news on the radiation scanners – their biggest risk is that of skin cancer.
But never mind – Australia can keep on winning in the world skin cancer stakes! – Christina Macpherson
1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 