Ziggy Spinowski still spruiking “clean” “green” nuclear power
Christina Macpherson 18 Dec 09 Why does the media continue to give such a platform to the narrow views of a nuclear physicist obviously spruiking for his business? Is it because of some mindset that sees “hard” science (nuke physics, geology etc) as somewhow “real” scince, as compared to the “soft” sciences like ecology, environmental science, climatology?
It wouldn’t be so bad if Ziggy Switkowski showed that he had a clue about the ecological effects of radiation from uranium tailings, or the discharge of hot water into marine environments. He obviously doesn’t. Nor does he show any understanding even of the problems that will shut down nuclear plants as extreme weather events occur, and as sea levels rise.
But perhaps most of all, Ziggy Switkowski is right out of his depth on economics – as predictions of nuclear’s likely costs show not just the exorbitant construction costs, but also the running costs. As quoted today (by Tessa de Ryck) “a 2007 report that nuclear power will likely cost over $7,000 per kilowatt, Moody’s Investor Services is now taking an even more cautious view towards investment in nuclear power,”
A clean and green way to fuel the nation THE AUSTRALIAN , Ziggy Switkowski, 18 Dec 09 “………Cost. Nuclear energy has the highest capital cost, up to $4 billion to 6bn for our first 1000MWe reactor, but low running costs largely independent of the cost of uranium itself………………….
Aborigines get tainted land back, but no compensation for cancers
Just as the Maralinga army veterans find no justice from the Australian government, in their fight for compensation for radiation-induced illness, so those surviving aborigines affected by the atomic tests still go unrecognised.
In the true tradition of British and Australian governments, it is hoped that they will just all die out and be forgotten.
It sounds fine for SA’s Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jay Weatherill to claim that this land handover is the” final chapter of a 50-year struggle for justice.” But it’s not – those victims of nuclear radiation are still there, and so are their children. The veterans are taking their case to Britain, particularly on behalf of their children and grandchildren. Why should the aboriginal victims continue to be ignored, in the pretense that their health was not affected? Continue reading
Creation Science and Flat Earth for Australia!
Having watched Ian Plimer manipulating, evading, and repeating patently obvious untruths – I continue to marvel at Australia’s Climate Sceptics, and even more, I marvel at the media coverage they get! . Obviously, Australia’s Chief Scientist must be a complete fool, taken in by the global warming international conspiracy.
I want to join the denialist throng. Why shouldn’t Australia be a real leader in the field? Now I want to start my own movement, and get a showing on ABC TV. I want to start a Creation Science movement, and also a Flat Earther one.
We’ve added more C02 to the atmosphere. This diagram, showing how greenhouse gases, especially C02, trap heat in the atmosphere – why it’s all nonsense, isn’t it?
Big money in denying climate change
Dr Karl: ‘Something fishy about climate sceptics’ Adelaide Now CLARE PEDDIE December 17, 2009 CLIMATE change is a fact, sceptics are fishy, says Australia’s favourite scientist, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.
Dr Karl is in town to promote his first game, Fact or Fishy?, and 28th book, Never Mind the Bullocks, Here’s the Science. Continue reading
Nuclear to cure climate change – it’s a joke
Nuclear power as a cure for climate change is a sick joke. As climate changes, extreme weather events endanger uranium mines and nuclear facilities – as mentioned in today’s items on tropical cyclones, and France’s extreme cold.
Cyclone flood danger to uranium mines
Australia Issues Red Alert as Tropical Cyclone Approaches Coast By Jason ScottDec. 16 (Bloomberg) — Australia issued its highest storm alert as Tropical Cyclone Laurence’s winds strengthened to as high as 285 kilometers (177 miles) per hour as it approached the northwestern coast, where offshore oil and gas rigs were evacuated earlier………..
Cyclone George in March 2007 caused flooding at Energy Resources of Australia Ltd.’s Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory.
Australia Issues Red Alert as Tropical Cyclone Approaches Coast – Bloomberg.com
A positive view of the Nuclear Disarmament Commission
A real chance for a world free of nuclear weapons Sydney Morning Herald MARK DAVIS December 17, 2009 “…………………The original “grand bargain” of the NPT was that the nuclear-armed states signing up agreed to negotiate disarmament while the states without nukes agreed not to develop or obtain weapons. Continue reading
A negative view of the Disarmament Commission
Report on nuke threat is a dud Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor : The Australian December 17, 2009 “……………The world has more than 20,000 nuclear weapons and it would be a good thing if this number were substantially reduced. Continue reading
Switch to renewables, says Australian Academy of Science
Green power feasible Cheryl Jones The Australian December 16, 2009 THE federal government has the opportunity to switch the nation’s power to renewable energy but favours attempts to make “dirty coal clean”, Continue reading
US troops face continued depleted uranium danger
Army Again Turns to Depleted Uranium for New Weaponry Wired By David Hambling December 15, 2009 “………….Now, the U.S. Army is upgrading to a new 120mm Advanced Kinetic Energy round, and about the only thing we know for sure is that it will be made of DU. The generation after that… may be an improved version of DU called Stakalloy…………. It should also be mentioned that the idea of tungsten being introduced as a “clean” alternative to “dirty” DU took something of a knock when it was found that military-grade tungsten alloy is highly carcinogenic in rats.
Australian govt doesn’t care: Maralinga vets join British case
Maralinga vets join British class action Pia Akerman The Australian * December 16, 2009 AUSTRALIANS exposed to deadly radiation in the Maralinga nuclear tests of the 1950s and 60s have abandoned plans to sue at home and will instead join a British class action seeking compensation for damage to their health. Continue reading
The nuclear bomb report
(Commenting on Report Of The International Commission On Nuclear Non-Proliferation And Disarmament.) (Quoting from the report – ) “Nuclear weapons are the most inhumane weapons ever conceived, inherently indiscriminate in those they kill and maim, and with an impact deadly for decades,” the report says. ”Climate change may be the global policy issue that has captured most attention in the last decade, but the problem of nuclear weapons is at least its equal in terms of gravity – and much more immediate in its potential impact.”………….
the commission offers a slightly different formulation from ”no first use”, encouraging countries to make an initial statement to the effect that ”the sole purpose of the possession of nuclear weapons is to deter the use of such weapons against one’s own state and that of one’s allies”…………. Continue reading
Disarmament report promotes “peaceful” nuclear and uranium sales
Commission points way for uranium sales Sydney Morning Herald MARK DAVIS AND JONATHAN PEARLMAN December 16, 2009 AUSTRALIA could drop its ban on selling uranium to India after a report commissioned by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and his Japanese counterpart recommended changes to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Continue reading
Review: Nuke weapons, BHPB govt influence, Copenhagen
Review of past week
Australia: Embarassment for Rudd (disarmament hero) with new defense call to revive Australian nuclear weapons plan, and with Gareth Evans including ‘peaceful’ nuke power, just as Rudd launches the report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. BHP Billiton adviser Hamish Douglass is appointed to the Foreign Investment Review Board. Tony Abbott dancing around the Coalition’s enthusiasm for nuclear power. Australian company Paladin now mining uranium in earthquake prone area in Malawi.
International: Uranium price continues to fall, but don’t worry, in Copenhagen the industry is pushing for nuclear as the solution to climate change. Meanwhile huge world-wide poll shows growing popularity of renewable energy, majority of people prefer it.Parliament of World’s Religions opposing nuclear. Problems and delays in India’s nuke program, while Young Indian movement gathers opposition to nuclear.
Liberals want to sell uranium to India
Coalition raise uranium BigPond News December 13, 2009
The Coalition has again called on the government to re-think its opposition to selling uranium to India, to help cut global greenhouse emissions.Opposition leader Tony Abbott says nuclear energy is a ‘clean, green, energy source’ worth considering.
Shadow Environment Minister Greg Hunt says the Copenhagen summit is a good opportunity for the Prime Minister to seek a nuclear agreement with other countries.
Coalition raise uranium | National | Telstra BigPond News and Weather
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