To 27 January – climate and nuclear news

Australia’s bushfires still dominate the climate news. Despite helpful rain, as of last Tuesday, 107 fires were still burning.-More extreme heat, and more fires, are predicted. Indeed, as I write, a new bushfire is reported, in Australian Capital Territory.

Still, Australia is far from the only climate story this week.  Climate change could unlock new microbes and increase heat-related deaths.    Deadly flooding and landslides are striking Brazil. Extreme weather is causing falling iguanas, rise of deadly spiders and swarms of locusts.  And, no doubt of prime importance to “sensible” and “corporate” humans, Climate Change could blow up the economy and the banks aren’t ready.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the “Doomsday Clock” to 100 minutes to midnight, its closest to doomsday since it began ticking, due to nuclear proliferation, failure to tackle climate change and “cyber-based disinformation”.

Six legal arguments against the extradition of Julian Assange to America.

New interactive flood-risk map shows that global vulnerability to sea level rise is worse than previously understood.  Davos conference – an expensive exercise in corporate spin. Greta Thunberg says climate demands ‘completely ignored’ at Davos.

The global danger as insect species disappear

Nuclear recycling is a bad idea.  The nuclear nations push the fantasy of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.

World’s first public database of mine tailings dams aims to prevent deadly disasters.

Solar, storage, and wind tipped as top energy job generators.

EUROPE. Wildfires – drastic climate effects in Australia, but Europe cops it, too.

USA.

• Donald Trump tweets that US will not lift sanctions to secure nuclear deal with Iran. Despite years of negotiations, we came once again to the brink of conflict with Iran.   Democratic presidential candidates not well informed on nuclear weapons. Ask presidential candidates about nuclear and climate issues, says former energy secretary Moniz.
• USA’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) spurns environmental assessment for plutonium cores.  No clear explanation of USA’s rush to produce more plutonium cores for nuclear weapons.  ”Plutonium pits” not only unnecessary, but also very dangerous for the environment.
• History of U.S. missiles testing atomic, bacterial and viral weapons in Utah.
• USA Politicians on both sides sucked in by propaganda for fantasy new nuclear reactors.  Republicans try to get nuclear power accepted as “renewable” in California.
• Lawmakers seek safeguards on decommissioning of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.  Class action lawsuit about failed V.C. Summer nuclear plant goes back to state court.
• Donald Trump threatens to get rid of National Public Radio.

IRAN. Understanding Iran.  Iran will never seek nuclear weapons – P.M Rouhani.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea abandoning talks with “hostile” USA.

JAPAN.

• Irresponsible tactics are being used to bury Fukushima’s social and environmental problems .
•  Japan faces decision over contaminated Fukushima water. Japan might decide on fate of radioactive waste water before the Olympics in July. S. Korea, U.S, discuss Fukushima Wastewater, Marine Issues. Fukushima Daiichi Frozen Wall Leaks.
•  2020 Olympic events worryingly close to radioactive areas.
• $123 billion the cost of safety measures for Japan’s nuclear stations.
• Tepco estimates 44 years to decommission its Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant.
• Hiroshima High Court orders Ikata nuclear reactor to be halted.
• No long-term prospects in Japan for reusing, storing spent MOX fuel.
• Mayor in Kyushu admits to ‘bribe’ from company in nuclear business.

UK. Significant item –   In UK deep disposal is planned for the mounting, costly and forever problem of nuclear wastes. Rolls Royce’s fantasy plan for so-called ‘mini’ nuclear reactors. In UK “big” nuclear power versus “small” (both unaffordable) at Wylfa

FRANCE. Sloppy safety and waste management at Electricite de France’s nuclear sites.

CANADA,  Ontario landowners sign deal with agency looking to store used nuclear fuel.

INDIA. India – a case study in regulatory capture by the nuclear industry.   India joins the panic to sell costly, impractical, nuclear power to Africa and Middle East.  India installed 7.5GW of solar and 2.4GW of wind in 2019.

SWEDEN. Swedish Parliament Rejects Proposal to Halt Nuclear Shutdown.

ROMANIA. Romania quits deal with China for new nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Unsafety of Russia’s November-class submarines.

January 27, 2020 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes