Climate and nuclear news – to 12 December

William Perry, formerly of the Pentagon, and former U.S. Secretary for Defense, is renowned for his work aimed at limiting nuclear weapons, and warning the world of the great threat of nuclear war.

But now, even Perry is recognising that, in some ways, climate change is an even greater existential threat to the world. He points out that nuclear catastrophe can happen quickly, but that it’s possible to prevent it. But climate change is happening slowly, inexorably, and could be irreversible.

He’s convinced me, and I had always thought that nuclear disaster was the most important danger.

With that new realisation in mind, I’m seeing the events in Poland this week – the COP24 UN Conference on Climate Change, with a more acute interest. This international meeting comes right after the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

Fabricated media attacks on Julian Assange. The article that a Fairfax journalist didn’t want to write, about Julian Assange. Rallies will demand that Australia insists on Julian Assange’s safe departure from UK.

Do corporations have a legal right to destroy the planet’s ecosystem?

The worst performing countries for climate action- USA and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, the US, Kuwait and Russia tried to erase meaning of UN’s report on the impacts of 1.5C warming. Coal lobby is prominent at COP24 U.N climate change conference. Climate denialist group held fringe meeting in Poland, banning access by environmental reporter.

New nuclear power plants, prolong existing ones – to solve global warming?

A wave of change is coming to our planet’s water resources.

Energy efficiency the starting point for effective climate policies.

Assessing the effects of planetary electromagnetic pollution.

USA.

U.S. preparing to wreck the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)? If USA dumps the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) – Putin threatens arms race.
Michael Flynn’s involvement in shady nuclear deals with Saudi Arabia.
USA’s intractable nuclear waste problem: a new approach is needed. No answer to clean up Washington’s Hanford nuclear site. Idaho closure of nuclear-waste treatment plant to affect Hanford.
Public health and safety endangered by weakening The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB).
USA Energy Dept extends period for public comment on classification of High Level nuclear waste.
S.C. ratepayers still vulnerable to next billion-dollar disaster.

JAPAN. Former mayor expresses anger at Tepco in trial over Fukushima crisis. Results of the first-round thyroid examination of the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Thyroid cancer impact on children and teens following Fukushima nuclear accident. Fukushima evacuees forced back into unacceptably high radiation zones.

TAIWAN. Taiwan Votes to Maintain Import Ban on Fukushima Food Imports.

FRANCE. Despite President Macron, France’s government report calls new nuclear power uneconomical.

UK.

With Brexit, thorny nuclear problems about the ownership of EU nuclear materials stored in Britain. UK must explain its plans for civil nuclear power security under ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario. UK tax-payers, not the nuclear industry, will pay for the new safeguards regime, post Brexit !
As UK’s planned Wylfa nuclear power station might be axed, UK’s whole nuclear project is in doubt. UK govt allowing Chinese nuclear technology for Bradwell reactor? China’s push to take over the abandoned Moorside nuclear project. New nuclear station next to Minsmere wildlife reserve? Sizewell action group to hold EDF to account.
Scotland’s wind power output over 100%.

NORTH KOREA. If USA does not lift sanctions, North Korea could revive nuclear weapons development.

INDIA. Nuclear Expansion in Kaiga: Is India Ready for the Risk?

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa Energy Minister Fires Nuclear Corporation’s Board .

RUSSIA. Russia sends 2 nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela.

GERMANY. Germany a leading solar power producer, despite its low hours of sunshine.

IRAQ. Depleted uranium – the cancer-causing weapon still taking its toll in Iraq.

BELARUS. TOR-M2 air defense missile systems to protect Belarus nuclear power plant.