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The year when some real action might happen on climate change

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

However much people can achieve through individual action, in 2015 it’s a critical time for public action. In December, world leaders meet again to make a plan for climate change action.

At the same time, the failing nuclear industry is making its last, and most dangerous stand, as the nuclear lobby portrays itself as the cure for global warming. Sometimes this pitch is subtly put, touting nuclear and renewable energy as both “part of the mix”. Whether subtly or blatantly, the nuclear lobby’s agenda includes stopping the development of renewable energy and of energy efficiency.

Pope Francis has come out loud and strong for climate action. And he’s going to be there at the December Summit. (A bit awkward for that devout Australian Catholic, Tony Abbott?) Sir David Attenborough warned world leaders to stop their ignoring and/or  denial of climate change

USA. The latest shutdown, of the Vermont Yankee nuclear facility, is having its impact across the whole American nuclear industry.  USA is really in  a mess here. Because the government is legally bound to provide a permanent nuclear waste dump, and has not done so, nuclear companies like Vermont Yankee’s Entergy Wholesale Commodities can go ahead andsue the government. As always, in matters nuclear, it’s the tax-payers who cop the bill.

At the same time, this sorry mess, plus the low costs of oil, gas, and renewables makes investors very averse to the nuclear industry.

Diplomacy. USA and Iran make  a tentative agreement on advance of the next round of nuclear talks. Success in these world talks would be a great step forward for global peace. Equally important would be a renewed nuclear arms control agreement between America and Russia. India and Pakistan exchange lists  of their nuclear facilities.

Despite those positive trends – there remains the problem of increasing nuclear weaponry –NATO , USA ,  China , India  ,Russia,

Renewable energy  – going ahead in leaps and bounds – Germany – 25% of its electricity production in Nov 14. Big companies investing in renewables – Norway’s Statkraft  and big multinational corporations

January 3, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes