This week in climate and nuclear news

The world is at the crossroads as U.N. Climate Change Conference takes place in Poland. Many experts think that we have passed the point of no return. UN Climate Conference faces the daunting need for the world to quit coal. World Bank funding for action on climate change, and for adaptation to climate change. David Attenborough urges world leaders to LEAD .

Nuclear power, touted as the solution to climate change, is on fact, only a hindrance to action on climate change.

World Meteorological Organization warns: world running out of time to combat climate change. World’s Worst Public Health Crisis – Climate Change. The over-looked solution to climate change – equality for women. Flawed arguments in nuclear industry’s push to be seen as climate change solution.

The other big Trump-Putin story: Nuclear weapons treaty hangs in the balance as Russia-US tensions rise.

Molten salt nuclear reactors not commercially viable, but useful for military.

NORTH KOREA. A mistake to expect Kim Jong Un to give a full renunciation of nuclear weapons in advance.

FRANCE. Why France must shut down many nuclear reactors. Report shows how unprepared France is, in the event of a nuclear accident. Appeal lodged to stop commissioning of Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor vessel. France abandons plans for the Astrid (Advanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration).

TAIWAN. Taiwan Votes to Maintain Import Ban on Fukushima Food Imports. Taiwan doesn’t know what to do with radioactive trash, so decommissioning of 1st nuclear power plant is delayed.

UK.

Will 1000s of Small Nuclear Reactors, built super-fast, save the world from climate change?
“Marking your own homework” – Britain’s plan for inspecting its own nuclear safeguards – Brexatom !
UK’s Defence Safety Authority (DSA) suppresses reports on safety of nuclear weapons. UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)‘s failure to deal with its high level nuclear waste – now sending it to Sellafield.
EDF plans to restart Hunterston nuclear reactors because – hey! some of the 350 cracks are only small!
UK’s so-called “nuclear renaissance” is in crisis again.
Radiation Free Lakeland investigates radioactive beach, while Cumbrian media doesn’t bother to.
False claims against Julian Assange pave the way for USA to imprison him (DOES AUSTRALIA NOT CARE?)

USA.

Exposing The Pentagon’s Massive Accounting Fraud. The danger of nuclear war through irrational decision-making by Donald Trump. Trump may need Congress approval to withdraw from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. U.S. Congress could stop the endless wars.
Massive problem of USA’s high level nuclear waste – scientists struggling for a solution. U.S. Energy Dept plans to reclassify Hanford nuclear sludge – from “high level”to “low level”. Holtec nuclear waste casks at San Onofre are too thin-walled and must be replaced. San Onofre plant aims to resume transfers of nuclear waste in January.
Delay in compensation for NUCLEAR LAB EMPLOYEES WITH RADIATION-LINKED CANCERS.
Dark money, so-called “independent” Nuclear Matters, Georgia’s Public Service Commission and regulatory capture. Deal to purchase Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant is off.

JAPAN. Japan to scrap Turkey nuclear project. Thyroid cancer impact on children and teens following Fukushima nuclear accident. 2020 Olympics being used to put a nice gloss on nuclear industry, and Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. Fukushima evacuees forced back into unacceptably high radiation zones.

CANADA. Saskatchewan sues federal government over cost to clean up abandoned uranium mine.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Energy (PCE) praises Nuclear power, glosses over cost, waste, problems. Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) embroiled in dodgy deals, conflicts of interest.

AUSTRALIA. Australian schoolchildren on strike for action on climate change.

INDIA. Political connections in Holtec’s plans for boosting nuclear power in India.

BELGIUM. Belgium re-authorised nuclear power without having an environmental assessment – EU Magistrate criticises.