nuclear-news

A weird week of news in nuclear, climate, Covid19

graph above is of world total.

Events happen so quickly. It becomes important to know what news is true, and what is not. It is something of a crisis in journalism, – which analysis, which interpretation is credible? I try to follow articles that make sense, and come from reliable writers and journals. Reported numbers vary a lot – of those infected with Cov19, of the deaths. For one example – USA infection numbers are almost certainly far greater than reported, because of inadequate testing. In interpretation, Donald Trump’s phrase the “Chinese virus” feeds in to xenophobia, an unfortunate theme when global co-operation is needed, to combat a global epidemic. Politicians exploit false conspiracy theory that the coronavirus is a bioweapon.

What action is needed?  I found this article, with its excellent graph, a reliable guide. It helped me to conclude that the drastic shutdowns and “social distancing”will have awful results, but that inaction on coronavirus would be worse.

Some bits of good news – 10 Positive Updates on the COVID-19 Outbreaks From Around the World

Coronavirus Covid-19 Testing Per Capita By Country; The US Near The Bottom; India Worse

Tokyo Olympic Games‘ costly chaos: they can’t be held in 2020.

“Balance” a dangerous practice – journalists presenting as equal -Trump’s and scientists’ opinion on coronavirus science.

Coronavirus threatens nuclear power plants with staff shortages, possible shutdowns.

Destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, bring pandemics.

Impact of coronavirus is curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Paul Ehrlich on Coronavirus and the growthmania that drives environmental destruction. Bill McKibben on the Virus and the Climate Movement.  Global warming influence on extreme weather events has been frequently underestimated. Coronavirus Halts Street Protests, but Climate Activists Have a Plan.– Ozone-depleting chemicals appearing again in the atmosphere.

Nuclear Power Plants: Tritium is a lot more hazardous than they say. Dr Ian Fairlea on Epidemiological Evidence of Cancer Risks.

“Peaceful” and military nuclear reactors always inextricably linked.  Nuclear-powered submarines – fraught with legal and political problems.   New research on the global climate impacts of a small nuclear war.  The catastrophic danger to nuclear weapons complexes, of climate change’s extreme weather.

A new low-cost solar technology for environmental cooling.

USA.

• “Military Intelligence?” 30,000 U.S. soldiers to Corona-infested Europe for “war games”.
•  Democrats may not support Trump’s new W93 nuclear weapons program.
•  6 Ways Trump’s Denial of Science Has Delayed the Response to COVID-19 (and Climate Change).    Meet the Climate Science Deniers Who Downplayed COVID-19 Risks.  Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, on climate and nuclear power.
• USA nuclear industry exploits coronavirus, seeking tax-payer funds. America’s economic plan for Covid19 directs money to big corporations.
• Navy sailor assigned to US Central Command headquarters tests positive for coronavirus.  Coronavirus means staff shortages at North Carolina nuclear power stations. Seabrook Nuclear plant operating with limited staff.
• Military use: that is clearly the reason for developing Small Nuclear Reactors.
• Nuclear waste dumping for the beautiful landscape of the Northwoods?

UK Sellafield nuclear facility cuts back drastically on staff working onsite.  Sellafield nuclear waste site to close due to coronavirus. Nuclear waste transport disrupted by measures to stall coronavirus.  Hinkley nuclear worker concerned at coronavirus risks at the site. EDF reassures UK that during coronavirus epidemic, nuclear operations will continue.   Britain’s Trident nuclear submarine base is in the grip of a Coronavirus scare.

The Sizewell C project would tear through preciously fragile nature preserve. The Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) protests the lack of full information on nuclear plans.

JAPAN.

• Japan Olympics Official Tests Positive For COVID-19 As Training Camps Canceled Across Country.
• Japan’s 3/11 Recovery Stalled by Fukushima Decommissioning Delays.
•  Japanese govt moving to transfer renewable energy funds to Fukushima nuclear clean-up.  ‘Fukushima’s radioactive water discharge is important to Koreans’.  Fukushima cleanup struggle focuses on what to do with contaminated water.
•  ‘Fukushima 50 ‘ – a new film about the nuclear meltdown.
• Terrorism fears for Japan’s nuclear reactors – safety measures still not implemented.
• Tokyo High Court slashes damages to Fukushima nuclear disaster evacuees.  After ‘miracle recovery’, Fukushima brewers look to the Games to push sake globally.

RUSSIA.   Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News.   Big European bank offers to help Russia retrieve 1000s of radioactive junk from the Arctic sea.

FRANCE. French nuclear workers in fear of coronavirus infection.  Coronavirus cluster in the area – construction stalled at France’s Flamanville nuclear reactor.

CANADA. Canada pushing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, but the outlook for uranium/nuclear industry is bleak.

IRAN. Iran, hit by hardship and coronavirus, gets callous sanctions from Trump administration.

BULGARIA. Bulgaria delays deadline for Belene nuclear project bids.

NORTH KOREA. What effect will pandemic have on tensions with North Korea?

AUSTRALIA. Doctors again call on Australian govt about Julian Assange’s precarious health, risk of coronavirus.  The Morrison govt’s emergency measures are a massive subsidy to Australia’s largest corporations.

March 24, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes