Queensland’s successful solar island
“The Island is now generating 285 kilowatts of renewable energy for the electricity grid through solar systems that local residents host on their property roofs,”
Australia. Solar Island defies energy trend and powers grid BYM Marine Environment News 15 January 2010 Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson today announced an energy transformation in North Queensland, with a pilot project defying the trend and reducing energy consumption. Continue reading
Australian atomic radiation victims not compensated
Ex-servicemen who were ordered into radiation zones and to clean planes and vehicles following the blasts have not received any compensation….Many have died from blood disorders and cancers
Veterans clear to chase compo over Brit N-tests Brisbane Times ANDREA HAYWARD January 16, 2010 Continue reading
Tony Abbott calls for selling uranium to India
Australian opposition calls for India uranium sales Australia’s Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbot says Australia should sell uranium to India.ABC Radio 15 Jan 2010
The incumbent Rudd government fulfilled an election promise and outlawed uranium sales to India because Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But Mr Abbott says selling uranium to India is a good idea……..
The former Howard government had agreed to Indian uranium sales on the back of a United States-Indian agreement allowing the sale of uranium for civil purposes. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201001/2792805.htm?desktop
Vital for aborigines to participate in climate change action
Environment jobs vital for aborigines, says UN study, Sydney Morning Herald YUKO NARUSHIMA 15 Jan 2010
ABORIGINES need access to jobs in the environment sector if they are to benefit from any global attempt to curb climate change, says the author of a UN report out today.
The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples says climate change hurts indigenous people disproportionately, and in some places threatens their existence. Continue reading
Uranium mining’s threat to beautiful Australian animal
BHP Billiton’s plan to dig the world’s biggest uranium mining hole at Olympic Dam aspparently, (they say) requires them to have a desalination plant at Point lowly, Spencer Gulf , South Australia.
This will mean the extinction of Australia’s uniquely beautiful Sepia apama Giant Australian Cuttlefish. (photo by Helen Crawford from http://groups.google.com/group/point-lowly-action
by aussiecuttlefish -14 Jan 2010 – excerpt from comment on this site at Uranium and the giant cuttlefish « Antinuclear “…..The Giant Australian Cuttlefish is iconic to Australia, but more so it is endemic to the 8 kilometre section of coastline that has the most ideal conditions for placement of egg-sacs – the next generation. Continue reading
ERA uranium shares fall, less output and lower grade ore
Energy Resources Shares Fall After Drop in Uranium Oxide Output By James PatonJan. 13 (Bloomberg) — Energy Resources of Australia Ltd., the uranium producer controlled by Rio Tinto Group, fell the most in 2 1/2 months after saying fourth-quarter output dropped 30 percent as it processed lower grades of ore. Continue reading
Aboriginal’s sacred land versus AREVA’s uranium
Jeffrey just wants to go fishing Live, smile, and breathe 12 Jan 2010 The following article was first written by Lindsay Murdock on July 14, 2007.
Who wants to be a billionaire? I don’t JEFFREY Lee is not interested in the soaring price of uranium, which could make him one of the world’s richest men.”This is my country, look, it’s beautiful and I fear somebody will disturb it,” he said, waving his arm across rocky land surrounded by the Kakadu National Park, where the French mining giant Areva wants to extract 14,000 tonnes of uranium worth more than $5 billion. Continue reading
Full-body radiation scanning for air travellers?
Critics have raised concerns over the cost of the technology, privacy issues and the possible health consequences from exposure to radiation
Labor still weighing scanner use The Age January 9, 2010 AUSTRALIA is yet to decide whether to boost airport security by using controversial whole-body imaging scanners, which the US Government is now urging other countries to adopt. Continue reading
Sustainable investment fund looks to the long term
The company now has an office in Australia because it sees the Australian superannuation industry as likely to be attracted to its philosophy.
In the wind: America’s drive towards clean technology Sydney Morning Herald ANNE DAVIES, WASHINGTONJ anuary 9, 2010 “….Barack Obama, facing the steepest downturn since FDR’s time, wants to transform America into a green machine, Continue reading
Uranium and the giant cuttlefish
Have you ever seen the giant cuttlefish? It is the most beautiful animal, of magically changing colours, and ballet-like gracious movement. It is unique to a special part of Spencer Gulf, where the delicate salt balance in the water provides its specialised habitat, the only one in the world.
Some people might think that to stand up for the Giant Cuttlefish, against the Giant BHP BIlliton’s plan for Olumpic Dam uranium mine, – that this is a petty argument, about some odd, unimportant little creature.
Well, think again. Australia’s giant cuttlefish is a special, unique, and iconic toAustralia as is the kangaroo or the koala. It’s a sad time when Australians let the short-term greed of a big corporation destroy our precious environmental heritage.
South Australian govt will put BHP Billiton’s welfare ahead of environment?
“Is the Premier saying that no matter what environmental impact there may be, he is giving BHP the go-ahead to put the desal plant there?”
BHP insists Point lowley best for desalination plant Adelaide Now SARAH MARTIN
January 08, 2010
BHP Billiton says building its proposed desalination plant anywhere but Point Lowly on the Spencer Gulf would cost “hundreds of millions” more dollars.
The desal plant’s location has divided the State Government and the Opposition, with the latter calling for BHP to investigate an alternative site on the West Coast beyond Ceduna.
Labor member for Giles, Lyn Breuer, also wants the plant built elsewhere, saying the risk to the giant cuttlefish population in the gulf is too great. Continue reading
Media ownership in Australia
Media ownership in Australia
28 Dec 2009 Australian media ownership is one of the most concentrated in the world. The last review of media ownership in Australia (1999) found that of 12 capital city and daily papers, seven are owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and three by John Fairfax Holdings. The West Australian and the Canberra Times were the only independently owned dailies, however, the Canberra Times is now part of the Farirfax group and The West Australian is now part of Kerry Stokes’ media group.
The Impact of Ownership on the Dissemination of Information Continue reading
Can uranium mines be operated safely?
Uranium Mining: Australia and Globally League of Individuals for the Environment, Inc , Gavin M. Mudd 7 Jan 2010 “………………..The most recent experience of Australia’s operating uranium mines demonstrates the challenges involved in uranium mining, which are distinct and unique. There have been numerous incidents at the now closed Nabarlek mine and the operating Ranger, Olympic Dam, and Beverley projects. Continue reading
Failure of Copenhagen – worst possible result for Australian business
The failure of Copenhagen to set global targets, let alone make them binding, was the worst possible result for Australian business,
Is that hot enough? Business Spectator Giles Parkinson 6 Jan 2010
Figures released by the Bureau of Meteorology have reminded us why it’s important to act on climate change. According to the bureau, the past decade was the hottest on record, with a rise of 0.4c over the 1960-1990 average. Continue reading
Review of the nuclear year that has been
Review of the nuclear year that has been Christina Macpherson 5 January 2010
Australia: An extraordinary year in which Climate Sceptics were allowed to dominate much of the media, turning Australia into a curious outpost of anti-science. Pro-nuclear hype revved up, too – sometimes promoted as cure for global warming, but, inexplicably, also promoted by climate change disbelievers.
BHP Billiton put out huge but inadequate Environmental Impact Statement for its planned Olympic Dam expansion. Uranium explorations all over the place, especially in South Australia, as govt and mining industry try to manipulate aboriginal owners. Awareness of radiation effects at last leads to Maralinga veterans’ legal bid for justice.
International: While the nuclear hype went on, the facts were otherwise. France’s “flagship” new nukes are still struggling, under construction, and ramping up huge debts to AREVA. UK and USA governments struggle with the reality that only the tax-payer can pay the costs of nuclear power. State-owned nuclear industry – e.g France, Russia, China are not troubled by having to reveal the costs.
USA in a turmoil over where to put nuclear wastes, as Yucca Mountain dump plan is dumped. Revelations of illegal waste-dumping by UK and European countries were quickly glossed over in mainstream media. China is secretive about its nuke wastes, in earthquake areas, and imprisons nuclear dissidents.
The world waits for a resolution of Iran and its nukes, with fear of attack on Iran by Israel or the USA.. Middle Eastern countries seek nuclear power “for peaceful purposes only”, while India revs up its nuke power and nuke weapons, and everyone eyes Pakistan with trepidation.
Quietly, the anti-nuclear and anti-uranium movements built up momentum, along with strengthening indigenous rights movement, and a strong presence at Copenhagen. Impediments occur to the growth of the nuclear industry, including for example, quite a few legal victories in USA.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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