Week to 7 July in Climate, Nuclear, Coronavirus news

Well, I do leave the biggest news – coronavirus – to others, although Jane Goodall eloquently reminds us that the pandemic is utterly connected with our onslaught on the natural world and may well be a foretaste of worse to come, if the human species does not respect nature. It’s time to get emotional about climate change.

But anyway, Covid 19 – climate change – global phenomena that don’t care about borders, are affecting above all, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable – what are we to do? Some media are rejoicing about hot weather in the Arctic, but the reality is that the persistent Arctic heatwave is wreaking havoc, with uncontrolled forest fires in Siberia, thawing permafrost destabilising buildings and industry, especially oil and gas, in Northern Russia and the Arctic North of America. Meanwhile, the South Pole is warming at triple the global average. Climate change will make world too hot for 60 per cent of fish species.

It’s hard to get concerted action on global heating, with powerful influencers like Facebook and the oil industry sabotaging efforts and information about climate change. Climate denialists are increasingly spreading misinformation on Facebook, while Facebook is actively discouraging fact-checking.

Meanwhile – don’t let’s forget, even a limited nuclear war, whether started by intent or by accident, would bring a rapid climate change, a nuclear winter, which the human species might not survive.

A bit of good news – Meet the Nuns Who Created Their Own Climate Solutions Fund.

Nuclear power is incompatible with a Green New Deal.

Misinformation about Energy Economics, from nuclear companies and their propagandists

US, Russia nuclear arms talks end with plans for second round. Murdoch press enthusiastic about nuclear propagandist Michael Shellenger. Michael Shellenberger mucked up the pro nuclear “climate action” propaganda.

ARCTIC. The Arctic’s climate disaster-Verkhoyansk goes from record cold to record heat.

IRAN. Iran Says Fire At Natanz Nuclear Facility Caused Significant Damage; ME Intel Official Said Israel Planted a Bomb. Following fire at nuclear site, Iran warns it will retaliate if it suffers cyber attacks. Board of IAEA issues mild rebuke to Iran. UN nuclear watchdog seeks to inspect old nuclear sites in Iran.

EUROPE. European Council stands firm on excluding nuclear power from energy transition money. European Union countries agreed to exclude nuclear, fossil gas from green transition fund. An Unexpected Radiation Spike Has Been Detected Over Europe. Ruthenium and Caesium radioactive isotopes over Europe due to mismanagement at a nuclear reactor – says IAEA. Europe’s effort to save Iran nuclear deal.

RUSSIA. What caused radioactive releases from Russia? Russia’s nuclear imperialism in Africa. Russia’s priority is to involve UK, France in future nuclear arms control talks — diplomat. Russia’s nuclear workers in long lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. Russia’s environmental groups protest nuclear waste imports.

ROMANIA. European Commission demands that Romania adopt a national radioactive waste management programme.

ESTONIA. Long process ahead, if Estonia to get nuclear power – at least 15 years.

BOSNIA. Unacceptable to build a radioactive waste repository on the BiH border, Bosnia forming an expert team to plan Croatian nuclear waste disposal .

HUNGARY. Hungary to apply for nuclear plant expansion licence.

UK.

Boris Johnson pledges to get ‘big nuclear things’ done in message to Copeland mayor.
Can Hunterston nuclear power station restart? Are UK tax-payers to pay billions for new nuclear? Hunterston the most heavily cracked nuclear reactor: is it EDF’s guinea pig for how bad it can be?
Hitachi- no plans to sell Wylfa nuclear site to China. New nuclear disaster plans sent to thousands of homes in Plymouth
British soldiers the guinea pigs for testing effects of nuclear radiation.
Update on Legal Case: Toxic, Toxic Culture at Sellafield.
UK upholding the nuclear non-proliferation regime, supports Iran nuclear deal.

FRANCE. France’s EDF in a financial pickle over huge costs of UK’s Hinkley C nuclear project.

CANADA. Small modular nuclear reactors distract from real climate solutions. Safety documents by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) are vague, inadequate and put Canadians at risk .

INDIA. Climate change blamed for surge in India’s deadly lightning strikes. Explaining the India-China conflict. No economic benefit in nuclear power for India.

SOUTH KOREA. Investigative journalism – Is South Korea’s scandal-plagued nuclear industry a model for others to follow? South Korea’s corrupt and dangerous nuclear industry.

USA. USA financing nuclear projects abroad – but what if Small Nuclear Reactors are a flop? Groups in 5 other States challenge Holtec’s plan to transport nuclear waste to New Mexico. Donald Trump intervenes in Wylfa, UK, nuclear project discussions. Swarm of insects cause nuclear reactor to lose power in Michigan. USA’s secret plan for “dominance”by exploding a nuclear bomb on the moon. Pentagon to get more control over nuclear weapons funding under Senate proposal, but Senate undoes proposed power shift in nuclear arms budgeting

GERMANY. Germany the first major economy to phase out coal and nuclear.

CHINA. Many experts question Trump’s claim on China’s nuclear weapons buildup.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea to ‘counter nuclear with nuclear’ against US.

JAPAN. The suspension of the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 AUSTRALIA. Julian Assange’s fight for freedom. Julian Assange’s father in tireless fight to free his son, calls on Scott Morrison to help Australian citizen Julian. USA’s Deputy Sheriff goes for bloated military expenditure. Australia seen as successful in Covid-19 response, deplorable in climate response.