nuclear-news

This week Hiroshima Day August 6th, and the nuclear/climatenews

A survivor of the atomic bombings in 1945 remarked, “This pain that we carry, let it end with us.” As memorials are held, in Japan,  in UK,  and around the world, there is hope for an end to nuclear weapons, as the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty is developed.

On climate, there’s a gradual realisation that it is still worth fighting climate change: but catastrophic change might be inevitable.

On nuclear – well – things are grim for the nuclear industry, with the abandoning of 2 reactors being developed in South Carolina – after $9 billion already spent on them, just about the last straw following the Westinghouse bankruptcy, the French and Finnish nuclear build problems, and Britain’s dubious Hinkley and Moorside projects.

To deal with global threats, public awareness must be raised – Ralph Nader.

What about an illegal order to fire a nuclear weapon? Must the military obey?

Al Gore on the desperate need to act on climate change—and fast.  “Biological Annihilation” – global warming’s effect on plant and animal species. “Ghost forests” increasing now, due to climate change and rising seas.  Effects of heat – and climate change – on air travel.     Global ocean circulation appears to be slowing due to global warming. Climate change induced air pollution. Methods of climate geoengineering.

JAPAN.  

• Hiroshima, Nagasaki mayors to urge government to act on nuke ban treaty.   On Hiroshima Day, Greenpeace Japan strengthens its support for the UN nuclear weapons ban.
•  METI Releases Map of suitable nuclear waste disposal sites.
• Toshiba’s nuclear problems result in demotion by Tokyo Stock Exchange, possible delistment.    Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) buying into failed French nuclear company AREVA.
• Fukushima. Study: Radioactive Hot Particles Still Afloat Throughout Japan Six Year After Fukushima Meltdowns.   New Study Shows Full Radiation Risks Are Not Recorded.  No human rights in terrifyingly contaminated Namie in Fukushima.    Installation of Unit 3 fuel removal cover dome roof at Fukushima Daiichi.

EUROPE. Swiss Alps: global warming is revealing long-frozen bodies of lost travellers.

KUWAIT. Kuwait getting right out of nuclear investment, as it sells shares in the beleagured AREVA group

CANADA. Wildfires continue in Canada: more than 1 million acres burned so far.

USA – Nuclear

• What is USA’s policy on North Korea? Trump’s version, or State Scretary Tillerson’s version? Trump prepared for war against North Korea: “thousands will die over there: not here in USA” Trump’s new sanctions on Iran are designed to derail nuclear deal.
• Nuclear power is just not economic: the demise of VC Summer heralds its end.  Abandonment of America’s last nuclear project in South Carolina. SCE and G customers will continue paying for nuke project, even though it won’t be built.  South Carolina legislators want refunds from scrapped nuclear power project.
• Astonishingly secretive process – New York’s very costly nuclear bailout.
• Piketon’s village government opposes USA D4pt of Energy’s plans for radioactive waste dump.
• Hanford workers inhaled radioactive plutonium – new tests show.
• Negligent packaging and transport of radioactive materials by U.S nuclear labs.  USA EPA pledges to clean up thorium contaminated Ridgewood site. Another lot of faked nuclear power test results at Vt Yankee.
• More USA tax-payer funding for gimmicky “new nukes”.

Climate denial in charge in USA government.  Workers in Southern USA States now facing climate change health hazards– State of California aims for 100% renewable energy by 2045

IRAN. As President Rouhani starts a new term, Iran says US breaching nuclear deal.

UK. Serious consequences for Britain, especially its nuclear industry, if Britain leaves Euratom.  UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) fails to produce a plan for dealing with high activity radioactive waste.

ASIA.  The role of climate change in decline of one of Asia’s most critical water resources.  In remote Asia, solar power is transforming the lives of women.

INDIA. Levels of humid heat will kill millions, if warming is not tackled. Many thousands of suicides in India – linked to climate change.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korean President Details Phase-out of Coal, Nuclear Power .

CHINA. Future of China’s nuclear export industry in doubt.

UKRAINE. Radioactive tourism in Ukraine.

August 6, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes