This week: climate, coronavirus – and Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty

Even the generally pro nuclear mainstream media could not ignore the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as it reached the required 50 ratifications to become law. Nuclear weapons – always inhumane and unacceptable, now illegal — IPPNW peace and health blog. The ethical and moral case grew stronger, for the U.N. nuclear ban treaty.

One important article this week links the otherwise irrational push for small nuclear reactors (SMRs) to their connection with the nuclear weapons industry.

Second COVID-19 wave swells across US and Europe as winter looms.

‘Back to the future of climate” –– research on the Eocene period, some 55 million years ago, when atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were over 1,400 ppm, indicate what the Earth’s future climate might be. Then the temperatures on Earth must have resembled those of a sauna. It was hot and humid, and the ice on the polar caps had completely disappeared. That situation deeloped over millions of years. Now, industrialisation is bringing it about by soon after 2100.

Global Covid-19 cases top 42.5mn: Johns Hopkins Oct 25, 2020.

The passing of the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty – an embarrassment and a problem for the USA, and the other nuclear weapons nations. . Difficulties in the membership of countries in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Why nuclear power Is unsustainable. Climate change a big threat to nuclear reactors – as water supplies at risk. Every dollar wasted on nuclear power is a dollar not invested in clean energy. The very genuine promise of cheap electricity – solar power.

Study finds that bees are harmed by quite low levels of ionising radiation.

The Guardian was grossly unfair to Julian Assange. They could still make up for this.

Geological disposal of nuclear waste – a focus of interest in the coming months.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Pacific islands demand truth on the decades of nuclear testing, now that nuclear weapons are becoming illegal

ARCTIC. Delayed freezing of Arctic sea ice due to continued freakish warm weather. Unwanted nuclear submariness and military operations in the Arctic.

ANTARCTIC. Scientific women get together in plan for marine protected area for Antarctica Peninsula. Vital need to protect Antarctic seas: groups aim for new protected areas.

JAPAN.

495 local assemblies demand Japan government ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Warnings on releasing Fukushima’s radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. Japan puts off decision to release treated Fukushima water into sea. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga soon to decide on disposal of Fukushima’s nuclear waste water. Half of Japanese against releasing radioactive water from Fukushima plant; Seoul, Beijing also concerned. Jeju Governor Vows to Take Legal Action against Japan’s Fukushima Water Release.
Japan – nuclear power fine – but no nuclear waste for Aomori Prefecture, please. Hokkaido municipalities gamble on a nuclear future, but at what cost?
Japan now has enough plutonium to make about 6,000 atomic bombs.
Miyagi Prefectural Assembly approves nuclear reactor restart despite very strong public opposition.

SOUTH KOREA. Democratic Party leader says he demanded “transparent disclosure” of information about Fukushima water treatment. S. Korean demonstrators ramp up protests against Japan’s plans to dump radioactive water into the ocean.

USA.

The Atlantic raised the big question. In a crisis, do Americans want Trump’s finger on the nuclear button?
Keeping the Election Safe — limitless life Am erican election.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden on climate change. Fossil fuels are ”very clean” – Donald Trump. Joe Biden calls climate change the ‘number one issue facing humanity. Joe Biden’s climate plan would give the world a fighting chance. Two-thirds of voters support Biden climate plan. Largest wildfires in Colorado’s history.
America pushes other nations to withdraw from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Many 1000s sick in USA, but government spending priority is $billions, $trillions – for nuclear missiles!
Jesuit priest sentenced for peacful civil disobedience in protest against nuclear weapons. The cruel and lonely death of an American nuclear weapons scientist.
And again, it’s delay delay at the costly Vogtle nuclear project.
USA government puts out a financial lifeline to the failing nuclear industry. Very dubious claims made by proponents of NuScam’s small nuclear reactor plans. Another city leaves small nuclear reactor project – unanimous vote by Murray City Council, Utah. The nuclear industry’s cunning strategy to pass its clean-up costs to the tax-payer. USA aiming to beat Russia, China etc, in marketing nuclear reactors to Poland.
USA: Millions of jobs in clean energy and infrastructure – analysis finds.
USA Nuclear Regulatory Commission to effectively deregulate massive amounts of radioactive wastes. Trump government’s dangerous plan to deregulate disposal of radioactive trash. Alarm about dangerous transit of radioactive material through Fort Worth. How the iconic domes of San Onofre nuclear station will be dismantled. Safety of SanOnofre nuclear waste storage is disputed.
60 years since nuclear war very nearly happened.

RUSSIA. Russian hacking group Energetic Bear have hacked nuclear stations, now threaten USA election

TAIWAN. Taiwan furthers its departure from nuclear power, with more unused fuel rods sent back to USA.

EUROPE. An opportunity to remove American nuclear weapons from Europe. European Commission commits to retaining Iran nuclear deal.

POLAND. $40 billion cost to Poland for nuclear power – $18 billion to USA for starters.

UK.

Small Nuclear Reactors – the Big New Way – to get the public to fund the nuclear weapons industry.
Royal Navy officer in charge of submarine’s nuclear weapons, sent back to UK, alleged to be drunk on duty.
UK’s Conservative politicians want strong action on climate change. Britain’s zero emissions policy will bring many 1000s of jobs, investing in green infrastructure.
Not only Fukushima – UK nuclear reactors also empty radioactive water into the sea. Do the UK authorities really understand the hazards of radioactive mud waste dumping off Cardiff?. EDF facing legal action over planned dumping of radioactive mud, and over fish safety problems.
Hinkley Point C nuclear station – construction costs $388.9 million every month. How would Bradwell B affect local people, place & environment? Legal fight to stop Sizewell nuclear project destroying an historic Suffolk woodland.

CHINA. China’s nuclear oppression of the Uighur people. China’s world-leading push for solar and wind energy.

IRAN. Considering the future of the Iran nuclear deal. Hard to save the Iran nuclear deal, even if Biden wins the U.S. election.

FRANCE. France’s anti nuclear activists to train citizen scientists to measure radioactivity levels around a nuclear site.

GERMANY. In Germany , a new dispute over the old abandoned Gorleben nuclear waste site. Pledge Times (India/Germany)– Hitler’s quest for nuclear weapons.

SWEDEN. Swedish council votes in favour of nuclear waste disposal facility.

SOUTH AFRICA. Trump’s USA is pushing NuScale’s small nuclear reactors for South Africa.

AUSTRALIA. After the state of Victoria’s long and difficult coronavirus lockdown, it’s now the envy of the world. As coronavirus cases plummet, it’s time to ask: Is Australia ready for the third wave?