A good week coming up in nuclear news?

An eventful week coming up.  And from the point of view of nuclear issues, a good week!

On 22nd January the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force.   Yes, nuclear weapons will still be there, but no longer respectable, acceptable, and no longer an attractive investment option. The humanitarian cause for ending nuclear weaponry is made clear and legal.

This week is good news, too, for the immediately more pressing problems, coronavirus and climate. The inauguration of President Joe Biden on 20th January means that the American government will suddenly take the pandemic seriously and take action. Equally important, it will take action on climate change, and will rejoin the world in the Paris climate treaty.

The new administration under Biden will not play nuclear war brinkmanship, as Donald Trump did  –  (remember ”fire and fury”).  There is hope for some rational negotiations internationally on arms control.

However, as Obama was, Biden will be firmly in the grip of the nuclear lobby.  You don’t get to be President of the United States unless you have the backing of the nuclear industry.

Some other bits of good news – Stories of change from children in the Asia-Pacific  .

Catholics welcome Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons coming into force.

Global nuclear policy is stuck in colonialist thinking. The weapons ban treaty offers a way out.

Scientists must tell the truth on our consumerist, ecology-killing Ponzi culture.

Nuclear power, too inflexible, is in conflict with sustainable development goals.

Investigative journalism – ‘Mini-Nukes, Big Bucks: The Interests Behind the SMR Push.

Hydrogen from wind and solar systems could be the ultimate solution to the planet’s pollution problem..

JAPAN.

Investigative journalism – Thyroid cancer at ages 0 and 2 at the time of the nuclear accident-Health survey in Fukushima Prefecture January 2021. 

Why Japanese people should say ‘Sayonara’ to nuclear energy- a nun’s voice for nuclear victims.  13.7 million sign petition urging all nations to ban nuclear weapons.

USA. 

• Highly recommended  –  How the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Impacts the United States. U.S. should join nuclear weapons ban treaty
• Trump chaos highlights risks of sole nuclear launch authority. Trump’s behavior demonstrates that Biden must change US nuclear policy . A paranoid president and 7,000 plutonium warheads.. Donald Trump and the ”nuclear football” on January 20.
• Biden nominates Iran nuclear deal negotiator to State Department.  First Native American nominated to US cabinet position.
• A clean return to the Iran nuclear deal should be Biden’s first option.
•   Far-right extremists and nuclear terrorism.
•  Nuclear Icebreakers Are Not An Option for U.S. Coast Guard .
• Wall St is growing wary of Southern Co.’s promises to carry out Vogtle nuclear project economically.

CANADA. Why Won’t Canada Back a Nuclear Weapons Ban?  Small modular reactor plan bolsters nuclear industry‘s future, but renewables could address energy issues now.  Big doubts on small nuclear reactors – on economics, on waste problems.  New consultations in Ignace, Ontario, over nuclear waste site.

EUROPE. While European organisations discuss nuclear wastes, UK unveils plan for Cumbria waste burial

UK.

• Church leaders call on UK to sign nuclear weapons ban treaty.
• As Britain’s plan for Wyfla nuclear project founders, it’s time to start a green revolution.
• Property developer volunteers Allerdale, Cumbria for UK’s nuclear waste.
• Profound questions raised by the employment tribunal case; bullying at Sellafield nuclear site?.
• Jan 31 – Scotland’s Beyond Nuclear to hold Virtual Conference.

INDIA.  India must oppose dumping of radioactive waste into the Pacific, but IAEA and Indian govt downplay the dangers.

RUSSIA.  Russia eager to salvage START nuclear weapons treaty, once Biden is USA president . The horror of Russia’s nuclear submarines and nuclear trash dumped at sea.

ISRAEL. Israeli Defence Force drawing up plans to strike Iran’s nuclear program.

CZECH REPUBLIC.  Czech government plans to impose nuclear dump on municipalities against their will.

IRAN.  Iran tests missiles under apparent watch of US nuclear sub.

FRANCE. France says Iran is building nuclear weapons capacity, urgent to revive 2015 deal.

BELARUS. Belarus Nuclear Plant Taken Offline After ‘Protection System Activated’.

AUSTRALIA.   How will Entry Into Force of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty impact non weapons states parties, including Australia?

Why did ANSTO shut down National Medical Cyclotron, that made medical isotopes without nuclear waste?  ANSTO gets a blank cheque for its nuclear waste production at Lucas Heights?  Because ANSTO shut down cyclotron, Australia has the problem of importing a short-lived medical isotope.

Australia’s environmental scientists intimidated, silenced by threats of job loss.

 

January 18, 2021 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes