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 | 1 Comment

To 21st January – climate/nuclear news

With apologies to Samuel Johnson and “MadMen” – “Nothing concentrates the mind like the prospect of the economy going bust ”  Now, at the 50th anniversary meeting of  the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, climate change is the top subject. While poorer countries for a decade or more have suffered extreme droughts, floods -the impacts of global heating, it has taken the extreme wildfires of a rich country, Australia, to make the world’s big business people now sit up and take notice.

The case of Australia is remarkable also, in that the wildfires’ consequences have affected an entire continent.

While the news media is now more awake up to the global heating crisis, thing are pretty quiet on the nuclear scene.  The world continues to teeter on the nuclear war brink, and the millennials are apprehensive about this. On January 23rd, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will announce the 2020 time of the Doomsday Clock.

A bit of good news – Dutch Guy Famous for Cleaning Up Pacific Garbage Patch is Now Clearing the World’s Rivers Too

Climate change afflicting the health of the world’s children. New review confirms that global heating  increases the risk of wildfires. The oceans are getting hot.

Debunking James Hansen’s claims in favour of nuclear power.

Low dose radiation causes cell mutations – new research.

Nuclear industry in terminal decline – over to solar and wind. Nuclear’s swansong?

AUSTRALIA.  Much of Australia might simply become too hot and dry for human habitation. Australia led the world in climate action, in 2012 with the Gillard Labor government.

JAPAN. Japan’s Olympics – recovery for Fukushima? rescue for the nuclear industry? Japanese High Court rules against nuclear reactor restart.  No chance of re-using spent mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel, its storage highly dangerous.

IRAN. Tehran warns it may cease cooperation with IAEA.

KENYA. Vast swarm of locusts ruining the livelihood of 1000s in East Africa.

CHINA. China’s nuclear ghost city 404 – a personal story. New report: China soon to join countries with renewables cheaper than coal.

TURKEY. In Turkey, renewable energy rising, as nuclear partnership with Japan is scrapped.

USA.

• The “Power of the Purse” Belongs to the US Congress According to the Constitution – Not with the President.  Trump’s Unprecedented Attack on Iran and the Rule of Law. The B-52 Stratofortress will no longer carry the B61-7 and B83-1 nuclear gravity bombs.   U.S. cities near nuclear weapons stations realise they are targets.
• Need to improve Hanford radiation exposure records.
• California fights NASA over toxic Santa Susana nuclear site.
• A new law in USA pushes regulators to approve new nuclear reactor plans.

UK.  UK’s nuclear region, Cumbria, has unusually high rates of certain cancers. Bottled Water Use – Many West Cumbrians frightened to drink the tap water.

In UK, energy bosses bullying locals into submission over Sizewell nuclear build?  The highly controversial question of how to fund UK’s nuclear build. Britain’s Sizewell nuclear project in jeopardy, as EDF struggles to get funding. As building large nuclear stations stall in UK, sites are picked for ‘small’ nuclear reactors.

Britons want real action on climate change, but Boris Johnson’s govt missing in action on this.

EUROPE. European Parliament endorses $1.6 trillion investment plan for Green New Deal.  Europe’s Just Transition Mechanism excludes nuclear from the European Green Deal.  V4 group and Austria disagree on nuclear power.

BELGIUM. Belgium lawmakers narrowly agree to keep U.S. nuclear weapons, Belgian public overwhelmingly opposes this.

BELARUS. Anxiety in Belarus and Lithuania, over new Chernobyl-style nuclear power station.

TAHITI. Australian bushfire smoke across the Pacific shows how French nuclear tests spread radiation.

MIDDLE EAST.  Nuclear reactors for the gulf region could be an even worse threat than global heating.

FRANCE. Significant drop in France’s nuclear energy production.

CANADA. The fallout from a false nuclear alarm .

January 21, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Is climate heating becoming irreversible?

I started this website many years ago, because I was appalled at the lies promoting nuclear power  – lies that minimised the horror of nuclear weapons, nuclear accidents, and the radioactive legacy that we are passing on to our grandchildren and beyond.

Well – those lies are still being spread, by writers paid by the nuclear industry.

A big one is the story that nuclear will beat climate change. (the irony of it – as it’s the other way around). 

Nuclear is irrelevant to climate change, except for taking funding from real solutions.

But – my dilemma now is that climate change is the biggie, because it is sure close to irreversible. (Theoretically, nuclear could be stopped, now)

Perhaps it’s because I am Australian, that I am feeling this problem so acutely right now.  Yes, nuclear is still a horror threat, and still must be covered.

But – omigawd!    Greta Thunberg is so right!  Surely we all know this, in our hearts. We must all act on climate change.

January 14, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear/climate news this week

After days of denial from Iran, President Rouhani on Saturday admitted to “human error” in bringing down the Boeing 737, and the Guards’ aerospace commander General Amirali Hajizadeh accepted full responsibility. Rouhani agreed with Qatar and Pakistani leaders on de-escalation and dialogue as ‘only solution’ to solve the crisis with US. As Europe tries to preserve the Iran nuclear deal,  Donald Trump is currently a bigger headache for Europe than Iran is.

The global importance of Australia’s bushfires – climate impacts wildfires, and wildfires impact climate.  The concentration of climate-heating greenhouse gases is at a record high. Nations are not meeting their already inadequate climate commitments, and if Trump is re-elected in 2020, America will continue to lead the way in sabotage of action on climate.

A bit of good news – Fukushima Japan Vows to Achieve 100% Renewable Energy Use in 20 Years.

• ‘Error of judgement’: UK police recall guide which listed Extinction Rebellion among extremist groups.
• UK nuclear weapons programme £1.3bn over budget.
• Jeremy Corbyn was smeared for rejecting the use of nuclear weapons – but he was right. UK Leading Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey would use nuclear weapons.
• UK’s planned Sizewell power station likely to become a ‘nuclear island’.
• UK’s competition watchdog to investigate Jacobs’ acquisition of Wood Nuclear Limited.

January 13, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear and climate news to 6 January

One wonders if Donald Trump’s aim is to take the world to the brink of nuclear war, and then to pull back , with himself appearing like the global hero. Trump ordered the drone assassination of an Iranian hero.  Iran will now no longer restrict uranium enrichment, part of the 2015 deal limiting the country’s nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_I8TuF_dLA

A bit of good news – For the 29th consecutive year, India and Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities.

The world is realising how quickly even a rich and ‘developed’ nation, Australia, can be devastated by extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_NyEYRkLQ . Celebrities are donating to bushfire relief. Which is great. I’d like to think that they are equally generous to non-anglophone countries, which suffer even greater climate disasters.

War planners ignore the fire effects of nuclear bombing.

Not nuclear bombs, but the cutting of undersea cables, could be the decisive war weapon.

Researchers still don’t fully understand Arctic melt and sea level rise.

The rise and rise of global offshore wind capacity.

IRAN.  Complex and tortured history of Iran and nuclear weapons debate. Iran pulling out of nuclear deal commitment after U.S. strike that killed Soleimani . Suleimani’s Gone, and the Iran Nuclear Deal May Be Next.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un May Be Leaving The Door Open To Nuclear Talks.

SERBIA. Depleted uranium causing cancer epidemic in Serbia.

JAPAN.

• Fukushima Reactor Cleanup Delayed by Five Years as Japanese Public Demands End to Nuclear Energy.  Fukushima Radioactive Water: Towards Environmental Release. Video release of Fukushima Daiichi  Unit 3 – High radiation. Bee swarm affected by Fukushima radiation.
• Japan plans 100% renewable energy for Fukushima prefecture by 2040.
• Secrecy in proceedings of Japan nuclear regulator about Kansai Electric’s three nuclear power plants.

USA.

• The escalation of nuclear tension between USA and Iran.  Trump’s push for lofty nuclear treaty sparks worry over current deal.
• Trump’s plan to systematically remove environmental protection. Tennessee Valley Authority unfairly fired a nuclear whistleblower.
• Ohio’s nuclear legal battles: Supreme Court will hear case filed by Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts (OACB).
• Nuclear’s ‘safe and green’ image is the industry’s devious hoax.
• Radiation-free medical imaging.

FRANCE. The European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) is dragging nuclear company EDF into $billions of debt

UK.

• UK’s Sizewell C nuclear project not viable, due to escalating costs? UK govt trying to finance new nuclear plants, – complicated relations with China and USA.
• UK: legal action against environmental destruction by Sizewell nuclear project.
• Britain’s £1.2bn cleanup begins, of Berkeley nuclear power station, closed 30 years ago.
• Very unwise plan: UK’s Bradwell B nuclear project. vulnerable to climate extremes.
• Britain’s nuclear weapons convoys a disaster waiting to happen. Documents reveal UK’s plans for rolling out nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons could have been sited in Norther Ireland.

GERMANY. Germany To Close All Nuclear Plants By 2022.  Germany’s nuclear phase-out enters final stretch.

CANADA. How On tario can get out of nuclear power, and reduce carbon emissions.

RUSSIA. Environmental and technical worries, as Russia extends the life of old Kola Nuclear Power Plant. Russia, in fear of a USA first strike may now revive its “dead hand” nuclear weapon.

MADAGASCAR. Thorium and uranium pollution from Rio Tinto’s Madagascar mine.

EGYPT. Egypt’s solar energy success.

ISRAEL.Prime Minister Netanyahu almost blew the secret of Israel’s nuclear arsenal.

January 6, 2020 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

Climate and nuclear news this week

I am struggling to find good news – news that would be fitting for this festive week. Well, I guess that “bad” news is pretty much the definition of news, anyway.  As most people are behaving reasonably and decently, and many things are going well – that’s not noteworthy: then the unusual, the bad thing is, by definition, “news”.

On a positive note, Dr Helen Caldicott reminds us that although the nuclear-weapons nations are poised for ecocidal war, the path to peace is still possible;

       The United States of America urgently needs to rise to its full moral and               spiritual height and lead the world to sanity and survival. I know this is               possible because, in the 1980s, millions of wonderful people rose up                     nationally and internationally to end the nuclear arms race and to end the         Cold War.

       This, then, is the sound template upon which we must act.

These 32 experts refute the claim that nuclear power is a sustainable method against climate change.    Busting the false claims of the thorium nuclear lobby.

Nuclear cost and water consumption – The elephants in the control room.The engaging of youth in the movement to end nuclear weapons.

Risks in incorporating artificial intelligence into nuclear weapons systems.

Ionising radiation damages brain connections.

Julian Assange “slowly dying” and “often sedated” in Belmarsh prison.

Renewables – Top 10 Utility Regulation Trends of 2019.

SOUTH AMERICA. The Amazon at a Tipping Point.

JAPAN. Further delay in removal of spent nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1. Tepco (once again) saying they will put a giant cover over Fukushima No.1 reactor.  Japan proposes Fukushima water release to sea or air.  Tokyo ‘Recovery Olympics’ offer scant solace to displaced victims of Fukushima nuclear disaster.Toshiba warns it may not continue as ‘going concern‘.  Japan Gov’t liability denied for nukes damages, Tepco to pay minimal damages to evacuees.

EUROPE. European Union split on nuclear energy, but manages a draft Green Finance deal.

KYRGYZSTAN. Kyrgyzstan bans uranium, thorium mining.

RUSSIA Russia deploys first hypersonic missiles. Scientists track down the source of radioactive plume, – Russian cover-up of a nuclear accident.

NORTH KOREA.  North Korea preparing for nuclear negotiations with USA.   Kim Jong Un refers to North Korea being ‘prepared’ for war, hinting at nuclear capabilities.

USA.

• U.S. Congress votes $billions of tax-payers’ money for a new nuclear weapon for Trump. USA House Democrats let Jared Kushner suck them in to a very bad space weapons deal.
• Elizabeth Warren caves in to the nuclear lobby. Bernie Sanders stands firmly anti nuclear.
•  Faith leaders heed pope’s call on nuclear weapons.  Americans ready for a different approach to nuclear weapons?
• The Green New Deal: Not Insanity, but an Investment.
• U.S. Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.’s Nuclear Coffin, The Runit Dome.
• America Almost Stockpiled Nuclear Weapons In Iceland.
• Missouri lawmaker pushes for helping nuclear companies to charge customers in advance. Ohio court to weigh group’s effort to block nuclear plant rescue.  PG and E face bankruptcy- transparency needed on decrepit Diablo Canyons nuclear reactors.
• Growing concern over safety of aging Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.  USA’s Hanford nuclear site could suffer the same fate as Russia’s Mayak – or worse.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Hawaii’s law-makers very worried about the nuclear coffin at the Marshall Islands.  Seafloor mapping reveals the degradation of ocean floor by Bikini nuclear bomb tests.

FINLAND. Yet more delay – Finland’s Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor already 12 years behind schedule.

FRANCE. “Potentially faulty electrical components” in France’s nuclear backup systems.

GERMANY. Germany’s next nuclear reactor closure on December 31st.

UK. Goats irradiated in 1950s now pose possible environmental danger in Berkshire, UK

SWITZERLAND. Swiss nuclear power station shut down, due to a technical problem.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Dangers of weapons race, terrorism, disaster, as United Arab Emirates proceeds with nuclear power plan.

IRAN. 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Iran nuclear power plant.

PHILIPPINES. Philippines prone to natural disasters, but still contemplates nuclear power.

December 30, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

2020 a critical year to stall global heating, without dirty nuclear power.

Is the ‘developed’ world at last waking up to the reality of global heating and climate change? There are a few signs that the human race’s slavery to consumerism and endless growth might be wavering. But it’s a long haul to expect Chinese and Indian people, and the rest of the formerly ‘undeveloped ‘ countries to be persuaded.

Even so, the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions is urgent, for we must reduce the pace and impact of global heating, and prepare for the coming upheavals.

While action on climate is utterly essential NOW, the nuclear threats also remain.

In 2020 the corrupt nuclear lobby will push the lie that nuclear solves climate change, that Small Modular Nuclear Reactors are the answer.

2020 is a critical year, when we might be able to limit the process of global heating to 2 degrees C.  It is also a critical year to spell out the facts on nuclear costs, wastes, dangers, connection with weapons, and to stop the expensive distraction of nuclear power.

December 30, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week in climate and nuclear news

The marathon climate talks in Madrid had a rather disappointing outcome.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8McVmQRDI  While the USA was excluded from the conference, other fossil-fuel addicted nations, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil did their best to sabotage the cause for climate action. Meanwhile the valuable perspective from women was largely ignored. From the top down in climate discussions, to regional and local talks in developing countries, women’s voices are generally excluded.

The nuclear lobby is working quietly away to get nuclear power accepted as “green”, thus getting not only ‘respectability’, but also hefty financial  advantages. They’re having minor success in Europe. The European Union’s sustainable finance debate was bogged down in the question of including nuclear power. It ended up with a weak inclusion of nuclear power as a “sustainable activity’, but it still has to be agreed by the European Parliament, which has insisted on its “no” to nuclear.  

Some good news – The Global Deal for Nature.

In fealty to the global nuclear industry, the Liberals line up the nuclear dump site, amendments to law, deepwater port.

In the rush to get a nuclear waste dump site, the Dept of Industry, Innovation and Science has ignored the transport dangers. Residents vote against nuclear waste dump near Hawker in South Australia. Strong opposition to nuclear waste dump plan for Flinders Ranges.  Kimba now the likely site for nuclear waste dump.

ENVIRONMENT. While ignorant tunnel-visioned politicians kowtow to irrigators, the Murray River system faces death. A foreign corporation gets 89 BILLION litres of Australia’s water, as drought worsens. Scott Morrison trashes the Environment Department.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. A lot of progress, – much information at https://reneweconomy.com.au

INTERNATIONAL

United States and Russia are on the verge of a new arms race, Nuclear War Simulator shows the devastation that nukes could cause.

The toxic gender norms in the nuclear weapons establishment.

Ethics of burdening developing countries with nuclear debts and nuclear wastes.

Devastating array of craters on the ocean floor, from nuclear tests.

RUSSIA.  Investigative journalism –  Hazards of Russia’s nuclear colonialism– example South Africa. Docking problems for Russia’s nuclear ships.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea conducts second test at satellite site, to ‘bolster nuclear deterrent’.

USA.

• Investigative journalism – USA’s Patriot Act destroys civil liberties.
• Pentagon goes ahead with ballistic missile test, likely to bring on deadly arms race. USA rejects North Korea’s ‘hostile’ deadline over nuclear talks. Maryland’s Back From the Brink” resolution to support the U.N. Nuclear Ban Treaty. U.S. Democrats cave in to a weak compromise on National Defense Authorization Act.
• Idaho nuclear waste processing project to close – not commercially viable.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory lost 250 barrels of nuke waste,
• Angst in Utah over dangers of nuclear waste transport to “temporary” storage.
• Prairie Island Indian Community – nuclear refugees.
• Muons: probing the depths of nuclear waste.

JAPAN.  Japan ponders recycling Fukushima soil for public parks and green areas.   TEPCO delays Fukushima chimney demolition. Olympics no relief for devastated city. Fukushima: Japan court finds government liable for nuclear disaster.

Radiation levels in one Fukushima reactor high enough to kill a human in two minutes.  Fukushima Radiation Hotspots Raise Concerns Ahead of Tokyo Olympics. Fukushima Prefecture has over 9 million bags of nuclear waste.  Analysis of decontamination of irradiated soil of Fukushima area.

Two nuclear reactors in Fukui Prefecture to be shut down.

FRANCE. In France, over the next decade renewable energy is ‘on track to overtake nuclear’.  Legal action regarding defective welds in EPR nuclear reactor. France’s EDF company is trying to “restore trust” in the nuclear industry.

TURKEY. Turkey may shut US nuclear weapons base over sanctions threat.

UK.

• Anger as EDF tries to shrink emergency zone around Scottish nuclear plant.
• Boris Johnson’s overhaul of govt departments. Will it really be good for the environment? Sceptisim over Boris Johnson’s promises on environment and climate.  UK election. Green Party grew by 60%. UK Conservatives get big donations from fossil fuel and weapons companies.
• Call to postpone a  decision on Suffolk’s new nuclear power station bid.
• Release of radioactive dust at Dounreay contravened regulations.

CANADA. Nuclear power the worst, most unsuitable, most expensive power option for Ontario.  U.S. Congress members call on Trudeau to stop nuclear waste dumping near Great Lakes.

ISRAEL. Israel’s High Court rejects Vanunu’s bid to leave Israel.

INDIA. How India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) got hacked.

AUSTRALIA. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on holidays overseas, as fires burn across Australia. Australians are reminded of the tourism slogan that Morrison created – #wherethebloodyhellareyou?

Swedish youth climate activist Greta Thunberg hits out at Australia’s quest for climate loopholes talks. No legal or moral basis for Australia’s Kyoto accounting fudge, new analysis shows.

In fealty to the global nuclear industry, the Liberals line up the nuclear dump site, amendments to law, deepwater port.

December 18, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in climate and nuclear news

COP 25 – a chance to avoid catastrophic climate change. Not a lot happened in the first week of the COP25 climate talks in Madrid.  Dr Katharine Hayhoe on The Bible and Climate Change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpjL_otLq6Y&feature=emb_title  Disasters fuelled by climate change are the top driver of human displacement.

A bit of good news – Renewable cities arising around the world. or  listen on You tube

Water shortages to hit 1.9 billion people as glaciers melt.

Research shows that Climate models have correctly predicted global heating. UN chief praises youth leadership on climate action, deplores government inaction.  Coal power becoming ‘uninsurable’ as firms refuse cover.

9 climate tipping points pushing Earth to the point of no return.

Bacteria to consume CO2 – a climate change solution?

ANTARCTICA. .Antarctic ice sheets could be at greater risk of melting than previously thought.

AUSTRALIA. Australia on fire. Scott Morrison under fire over bushfire emergency. Australia is copping it at COP25 – and rightly so. Australia burns, as government leaders choose not to discuss this.

JAPAN.  The status of Japan’s nuclear policy and future prospects.  ‘ Scorpion‘ robot mission inside Fukushima reactor aborted.  Fukushima nuclear debris removal to begin in 2021.    High-level radiation hot spots found at J-Village, the starting point of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.  Korea to bring food, check for radiation at Tokyo Games.

EUROPE. Nuclear power headed to be excluded from EU green finance scheme. European report: don’t sacrifice the planet’s ecology in the drive for economic growth.  Technical fault shuts down Belgian nuclear reactor.

FRANCE. France’s nuclear industry in dire straits.  Another shutdown at French nuclear power station Golfech.

ISRAEL. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz suggests bombing Iran to stop its nuclear program.

IRAN. Britain, France and Germany press Iran over its ballistic missile program. Rafael Mariano Grossi, new UN nuclear agency chief, states he will be“firm and fair” stance on Iran.

UK . UK election. Nuclear power is a hot topic in Wales.      Significant obstacles to Rolls Royce’s fantasy of “clean” nuclear-supplied jet fuel.  Need for scrutiny of troubled Hunterston nuclear reactor before restarting it.

IRAQ. First the U.S. invaded Iraq — then left it poisoned .

CANADA. Ontario’s First Nations to vote on nuclear waste plan near Lake Huron. To store Canada’s nuclear wastes close to Lake Huron – the worst of the worst.  Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – many pitfalls, including security risks.

USA.

• Chaos ahead in international relations due to Trump’s chaotic nuclear weapons policies.  U.S. election – views of Presidential candidates about nuclear weapons.
•  Investigative journalism – Paducah, Kentucky – its nuclear waste tragedy is compounded by climate change.
• Magical thinking of the nuclear lobby as it jumps on the Green New Deal bandwagon.
• NRC Approves Transfer of Nuclear Plant Operating Licenses From FirstEnergy Solutions to Energy Harbor.
• The Santa Susana nuclear waste scandal.
• It’s time to reset US nuclear waste policy.
• Pentagon to get more control over the news? Is this a GOOD idea?

ARCTIC. Floating small nuclear reactors bring serious risks.

December 11, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 5 Comments

Weekly nuclear and climate news

COP25, the annual United Nations international conference on dealing with climate change is now beginning, in Madrid.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJzt05K0r1U   Global climate tipping point is getting near – researchers say.

For December, my websites are focusing on that unfashionable subject – ETHICS.  Some aspects of “nuclear ethics” are climate change, health and environment, sustainability, developing countries, economic feasibility,  – conclusion – nuclear power is not an ethical choice.

A bit of good news – Humpback Whale Population Bounces Back From Near-Extinction—From Just 450, to Over 25,000

Barnaby Joyce auctions lump of coal – in a glass jar – at Nationals dinner.

Public opinion: for the first time, Environment is Australians’ top concern. The Murray Darling water crisis and what governments must do to fix this.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.  Heating & cooling to go renewable and provide demand response.  Australian solar PV integrated window technology gains US approval.  Renewable South Australia posts lowest wholesale prices for second month in row.  The day rooftop solar met two thirds of South Australia’s total demand.  Power bills to fall by $40 as New South Wales Central West becomes wind and solar power hub.   Why is pumped hydro in Australia not used very much?

INTERNATIONAL

The negotiations in Madrid for COP 25 Climate Change Conference.   Tipping points leading to ‘Hothouse Earth’ already “active”, scientists warn.

Catholic doctrine; the use and even the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.    Plans for nuclear waste disposal, but there’s no long term solution.

Despite Halting Progress, UN Continues its Push for a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone in the Middle East.

USA. 

• USA will send no senior government official to COP25 climate conference.   Prominent Americans to wage ‘World War Zero’ against climate change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMTnFwL3a8w
• No president should have the absolute authority to launch nuclear weapons. US Bishops stand with the Pope calling for a world without nuclear arms.  The insanity of punishing the good –  jailing the Kings Bay Plowshares 7.  The judge who assailed “worship of the Bomb”.
• Nuclear waste Bill in U.S. House of Representatives – resistance in New Mexico to nuclear waste dump.
• Persistent outages plaguing Grand Gulf nuclear plant are adding millions to the bills of New Orleans customers.

MIDDLE EAST. Big risk factors for Middle East countries in adopting nuclear power.

UK. UK’s Labour and Greens parties have highly prioritised climate change action.   Cyber attack targets UK’s nuclear industry. Suffolk Coastal Labour opposes the development of new nuclear capacity at Sizewell.  UK Environment Agency Aims to Increase Tritium Limit in Irish Seaside Landfill .

JAPAN.  Pope Francis, in Japan, Warns of ‘Selfish Decisions’ on Nuclear Energy.  Thorny topic of Fukushima food at the 2020 Olympics. Onagawa nuclear plant to get approval for restart.

FRANCE. France wants to label nuclear as “green“. Germany will have none of it.

GERMANY. Germany must now face up to its nuclear waste problem.

HUNGARY. Hungary wants EU to weaken nuclear licensing rules, as it wants to expand Rosatom nuclear project.

IRAN. Iran warns EU that it may step back from UN nuclear watchdog.

RUSSIA. Russia’s nuclear company Rosatom in financial trouble trying to fund nuclear project in Turkey.  Rosatom planning to market Small Modular Nuclear Reactors to Europe.  Nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile tested over the Barents Sea.

CANADA. Premiers of Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick to plan development of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa to create extra space for nuclear waste.

AUSTRALIA.  Catastrophic weather conditions, but Australian govt has no climate adaptation plan.Sir David Attenborough hits out at the federal government over climate position.

December 2, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

To 27 November – the week in climate and nuclear news

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are now at a record high level.  Mountain water serving half the world is disappearing.

Against the background of all the disturbing climate news, it’s a bit of a shock to learn the lengths of duplicity to which politicians will go, to prevent climate action.

And, on the nuclear scene, duplicity of a different kind. I hate to use that tawdry phrase “fake news”, but that’s what it was, a false report of a nuclear explosion in the South China Sea.

Some bits of good news – In India, an intrepid old farmer grew a lush oasis in a cold desert.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-foEwcAu_zw. In drought-stricken Australia, some farmers are learning to improve the soil, and conserve water, with regenerative farming.  Patients’exposure to medical radiation is going down.

************************************

Journalism’s future in crisis – the case of Julian Assange.  Political manipulations– the Swedish allegations against Julian Assange.

Global heating is shrinking and accelerating the jet stream.   Pursuing nuclear power slows down real action on climate change by faster, cheaper, energy sources. Analysis: Global coal power set for record fall in 2019.

On nuclear radiation – past and future – extract from article on Chernobyl.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. As the Runit nuclear waste dome crumbles, Marshall Islanders want honesty and justice.

IRAQ. New report on Iraqi babies, deformed due to thorium and uranium from U.S. military actions and bases.

UK. 

• For UK elections, top issue is climate change.   Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon’s outspoken opposition to use of nuclear weapons. Scottish National Party will press Jeremy Corbyn to scrap UK’s nuclear deterrent. UK’s Liberal Democrat leader criticised for her willingness to use nuclear weapons.
• A Labour government in UK would revive Wylfa nuclear power project. UK Labour touts ‘green industrial revolution’, BUT INCLUDES NUCLEAR POWER AS “GREEN”!
• UK’s embarrassing, expensive, intractable trouble with dead nuclear submarines.
• Why is the UK government now hiding its nuclear history files?
• EDF’s misleading and deficient safety report on Hunterston nuclear station.

CHINA. Further debunking of the conspiracy nonsense about a nuclear explosion in the South China Sea.  China’s $2.5bn renewables investment in Inner Mongolia.

UKRAINE. Studies on Chernobyl nuclear disaster show that it’s relevant today, and for the future.

JAPAN.

•   Pope Francis urges fresh efforts for Fukushima victims. Pope Francis calls for a ‘world without nuclear weapons’ during Nagasaki visit.
• Fukushima Workers Battle Leukemia – and Bureaucracy.
• Hotspots in East Tokyo’s Mizumoto Park.  Environmentalists say.
• Japan nuclear plant safety costs increase 5-fold over 6 years to 5.4 trillion yen. Undersea survey for new nuke plant deferred due to protests in western Japan.
• Fukushima water too radioactive to release. Fukushima operator accused of cover-up over ‘contaminated’ water set to be poured into the Pacific.
• Inspectors find 41 cracks in the grounds of Fukushima nuclear plant: local media.  Nuclear regulator says cost-cutting culture creating mistakes, delays at Fukushima plant.  To Make the Olympics Look Good Japanese Government Wants Evacuees To Return To Fukushima.  Fukushima to Become Solar, Wind Hub Using Farmland Tainted by Radiation.
• Doctors’ prescription for the Tokyo Olympics.  The radioactive Olympics.  Japan grapples with serving Fukushima food at Olympics.
• Dozens of bags of radioactive waste still missing in Fukushima three weeks after intense typhoon.  Radioactive soil spilled over into roads, rivers, during Typhoon Hagibis, report says. Experts warn against fires from disaster waste after Typhoon Hagibis.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea nuclear regulator wants information on radioactive Fukushima water release.

USA.

• The U.S. Submarine That Could Bring Nuclear Doomsday With It,   One sub to end a country.  Nuclear deterrence is weakened by the absence of diplomacy, and the demise of arms control.    As negotiation deadline nears, tension between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.  US presidential candidate Deval Patrick’s ignorance about nuclear weapons.
• USA Democrats question Dan Brouillette, (Next DOE Secretary) on nuclear and coal.
• For the 8th time this year, a Hanford worker exposed to nuclear radiation. –
• Ohio: the nuclear industry’s violent assault on democracy.
• Safety problems with Holtec’s dry canisters for nuclear wastes. A Huge Tax Break Went to a Politically Connected Holtec International (Nuclear) in New Jersey Despite Red Flags.  Georgia’s Nuclear Plant Vogtle behind schedule, with costs escalating. Holtec’s proposed nuclear storage facility of little benefit to New Mexico.   New Mexico not keen to take South Carolina’s plutonium wastes.
• John Hopkins University prominent in helping the nuclear weapons industry.   A call for John Hopkins University to stop helping nuclear weapons industry.

AUSTRALIA. 

• Australia as the salvation of the nuclear industry?
•   Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says Assange faces ‘unacceptable’ and ‘disproportionate’ punishment. A previous Prime Minister intervened to help political prisoner: Scott Morrison could do this for Julian Assange.  Appeal from former political prisoner to Australia’s Prime Minister to help Julian Assange.

FRANCE.  France’s nuclear company EDF – report – a litany of failures  France’s Flamanville nuclear financial catastrophe gets worse. France’s government is giving mixed messages on future of nuclear energy. France’s company EDF selling out of USA nuclear plants, Exelon to buy.

INDIA. India’s government ignores opposition as it plans to build spent nuclear fuel storage facility.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s nuclear waste storage almost completely full; a dangerous situation.

RUSSIA.  Putin told bereaved families that nuclear accident scientists were working on an “unparalled”weapon.

TAIWAN. Taiwan govt to give $2.55 billion to Orchid Island in nuclear waste compensation.

GERMANY. In Germany , renewables replace nuclear and lower emissions simultaneously.

CANADA. Toxic flushing of nuclear poisons into Lake Winnipeg.

IRELAND. Irish wind power for France, as France’s EDF nuclear electricity is in a financial mess

November 27, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week in climate/nuclear news

This is a bit more boring than usual, as, apart from the Australian bushfires, not many climate and nuclear events have been in the news this week.

A new book brings the nuclear and climate threats together in a scary warning. In The Plutocene: Blueprints for a post-Anthropocene Greenhouse Earth, Andrew Glikson considers a future scenario where nuclear war, radioactive pollution, and global heating combine to produce a new era. He urges a range of tactics to avert this gloomy future.

S and P Global Ratings has made it plain: nuclear power can survive only with massive tax-payer support.

A bit of good news –  Ocean Cleanup Makes History by Successfully Collecting First Plastic From Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Climate change is a health emergency – physicians.

World Nuclear Waste Report.   Dangerous radioactive hot particles span the globe.    Still no country for old nuclear waste. Tritium and other radionuclides are hazardous,even in transport and storage.

Will Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines make nuclear submarines relatively obsolete?

400,000 insect species face extinction.

ICELAND. In framing Julian Assange, The FBI tried to make Iceland complicit.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. U.S. won’t clean up Marshall Islands nuclear waste dome but wants it free of anti-U.S. graffiti.  Nuclear tomb: The Runit Dome is chipping and cracking. The climate crisis https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a29760935/marshall-islands-nuclear-waste-climate-change/is tied up in the dangers of nuclear weapons in ways that nobody predicted

UK. Jeremy Corbyn could scrap UK’s nuclear weapons, in deal with Scottish National Party. A UK Labour govt would make ‘collective’ decision over use of nuclear weapons? Boris Johnson and the unlikely future for small nuclear reactors.  Likely delay in clean-up of radioactive contamination at Dalgety Beach. New type of uranium nuclear fuel has safety risks.

USA.

• 49 USA universities get lots of money for helping to develop nuclear weapons. The United States’ Nuclear and Non-Nuclear Weapons Are Dangerously Entangled.  A long-term continuing resolution -damaging to America’s nuclear weapons development.
• Jared Kushner’s, Donald Trump’s secretive meetings with Saudi Arabia, Putin, Kim Jong Un.
•  Trump picks Dan Brouillette, another lackey of the coal and nuclear industries as US Energy Secretary. Before he’s even in the job, USA’s new Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette is busily promoting SMRs for his REAL bosses, the nuclear industry. Messianic Rick Perry preaches nuclear to sceptical Europeans.
• Indigenous opposition grows against proposal for grand nuclear waste dump in New Mexico.
• Georgia Power and the ballooning costs of Nuclear Plant Vogtle.  NRC likely to extend licence for Westinghouse nuclear fuel factory, despite its history of spills and leaks.

JAPAN. Fukushima: Japan’s government has not solved its many technical, economic, and socio-political problems. The plight of Fukushima nuclear workers getting leukaemia.  As Fukushima food export barriers fall, Japan aims to persuade China.  Pope Francis, visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki, wants a total ban on nuclear weapons.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea issues warning on nuclear negotiations deadline. US- North Korea negotiations may be revived.

EUROPE. European Union struggles to preserve Iran nuclear deal.

CHINA. China General Nuclear Power Group to invest $2.5 billion into a huge solar project – plus 2 GW of wind turbines.

BULGARIA. Bulgaria nuclear reactor capacity reduced over generator malfunction.

RUSSIA. Nuclear-Powered Aircraft failed for both USA and Soviets.

AFRICA. The push for nuclear power in Africa, but what happens to the wastes? Africa has fourfold growth potential with renewable energy plan.

FRANCE. France extends nuclear reactors outage after earthquake. France considering building 6 new EDF nuclear reactors at a cost of at least 46 billion euros ($51 billion).

November 18, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | 3 Comments

Nuclear and climate news- week to 12 November

Global heating is behind critical news in California, and Eastern Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyNHKrM0qBE.  Following the huge wildfires, Californians are realising that it’s more like a war situation, with more battles to come. Preparedness and adaptation are now the immediate needs, as well as reducing carbon emissions. And extreme heat waves will bring public health crises to American cities, despite the current very cold burst.

Australia’s ruling Liberal Coalition is still studiously avoiding the words “climate change”, and pouring abuse on The Australian Greens for their supposed insensitivity in mentioning those words in connection with bushfires and drought.

A bit of good news  – New Zealand – one small nation shows how to be nuclear- free and climate friendly.

Planet in peril as world leaders ignore global heating’s catastrophes.

Julian Assange’s father comes to Ireland, Europe, to campaign for his son’s release.

Nuclear medicine has radiation dangers – a reminder to clinicians.

JAPAN.  Fukushima:  Radioactive waste bags still missing after Typhoon Hagibis.  Japan still has land space to store radioactive waste tanks, but tries to justify dumping into ocean.  $2.7 Billion Renewables Project to revitalise Fukushima. 11 solar power plants and 10 wind power plants for Fukushima prefecture. Decommissioning Fukushima nuclear station – cost-cutting culture is causing mistakes.

UK.

• The mockery of justice that was Julian Assange’s extradition process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpSKl8YNaUg
• Scottish National Party could want scrapping of Trident nuclear system, in return for co-operating with minority Labor government.
• Boris Johnson and the UK plan for nuclear fusion. UK firms given £18m for mini nuclear power stations. Small nuclear power station consortium targeting Cumbrian sites.
•  Copeland Council remove “Support”for deep geological dumping of nuclear waste .

USA.

• Big boys and their nuclear toys – Hello, omnicide. USA’s intercontinental ballistic missiles– epitome of nuclear corruption.
•  Entire world wants nuclear weapons-free Middle East — except for USA and Israel.  Donald Trump’s impulsiveness may play right into Kim Jong Un‘s hands.
• U.S. Nuclear Plants Vulnerable to Terrorist Drones – NRC says “not our problem”.  Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station to Shrink Emergency Planning Zone.
• Lawmakers right to hold off on nuclear waste bill.
• Leak shuts down VC Summer nuclear station.
• Radioactive Nuclear Waste Lies: Holtec Nuclear Waste Cans at San Onofre; Plus Tritiated Water Can Be Filtered. Senator Elizabeth Warren questions Holtec Exemption from Emergency Planning Requirements at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
• Cybersecurity concerns complicate nuclear digital upgrades.
• Clearwater Appeals Decision On Nuclear Subsidies.
• Farmers oppose plan for groundwater to be taken for nuclear power.

IRAN. Iran building a second nuclear reactor at Bushehr plant.

ARCTIC.  Frozen nuclear city to ‘seep radiation into environment’ as ice melts.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXELlX-5iFY&t=12s

INDIA. In Tamil Nadu, Rooftop Solar Has the Potential to Outdo Nuclear Power.

AUSTRALIA.  Australia’s media fights for freedom of press – BUT NOT FOR JULIAN ASSANGE. Australia’s out of control bushfires (all along the region where the nuclear lobby wants to put reactors!).  Sydney and surroundings – “Catastrophic” fire warning.

NEW ZEALAND. Deadline looms for nuclear veterans and descendants study.

PHILIPPINES. Philippines not prepared for the dangers of nuclear energy.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Tuvalu heads for 35% renewables with $6m solar and storage grant.

NETHERLANDS. Netherlands floats its solar boat as it aims for 27GW by 2030.

November 11, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Climate news, nuclear news -this week

This week, Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and evangelical Christian, sends a powerful message to other Christians, on the urgent necessity to act on climate change. Scientific warnings have intensified over recent month. It used to be “a problem for our grandchildren“, but climate change is here, now. With a new urgency, the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2019 will be held from 2-13 December in Madrid.California wildfires signal the arrival of a planetary fire age.

Mainstream media has been silent on the threats, and indeed the impacts, of extreme weather on nuclear facilities.  There is minimal (and all too reassuring) coverage following on the effects of Hurricane Hagibis on Fukushima’s collections of radioactive trash.   There is not a mention of the threats to  nuclear facilities, in the reporting on the Californian wildfires. For example, there are fires in Ventura County, which has the notorious nuclear Santa Susana Field Laboratory – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn8xyr7CYXs

A bit of good news – the Living New Deal Project.

Ruthless and relentless – USA-UK destruction of Julian Assange.

Fukushima is not safe for 2020 Olympics, nuclear scientists warn.

The human species at threat of wipeout – nuclear war in space.

A Global Review : Threats o f Nuclear Conflict. How an India-Pakistan nuclear war could start—and have global consequences.  United Nations adopts Japan’s nuclear disarmament resolution.

Argentina’s Rafael Grossi chosen to head UN nuclear agency.

No, thorium nuclear power is still not a viable energy technology.

 Greta Thunberg and Leonardo Di Caprio join forces in climate crusade.

INDIA. Heat deaths in India will increase greatly, if greenhouse emissions increase.

JAPAN.

• Warning on Fukushima fallout for Tokyo 2020 Olympians.
• Citizens’ group in Fukushima puts out radiation map in English.Regulators to review Fukushima Daiichi plant work.
• Area of Fukushima Nuclear Power Station Disaster Badly Impacted By Flooding, High Waves, Landslides.  9 Japan water purification plants flooded by Typhoon Hagibis lacked watertight doors.
• Citizens’ Committee on Nuclear Energy proposes long-term storage for treated water from damaged Fukushima Daichi plant.  A Govt panel to decide on dumping Fukushima waste water.
• TEPCO needs to make its case for bailing out aging nuclear plant.

EU to ease Japanese food import restrictions.

FRANCE. French activists broke into nuclear plant, demonstrating the risk of terrorism.   EDF – a nuclear business financial meltdown.

USA.

• Climate change driving California’s wildfires to worse levels.
• A USA Bill to make sensible but significant cuts to “nuclear weapons and delivery systems.”
• Over 60 organisations across the nation oppose USA’s bailout of the nuclear industry. Exelon wants tax-payer subsidies for nuclear reactors – threatens to close 4, otherwise. Get the facts straight on costs of nuclear energy.
• Nuclear waste storage? There’s no real money in it for Wyoming.– Wyoming legislators and their secret vote about nuclear waste dump.   Wyoming’s Governor Gordon OK with the idea of nuclear waste dump. Judge declines to stop fuel transfer at San Onofre nuclear plant.
• New legal hearing for opposition to Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion. Environmentalists concerned: Turkey Point nuclear station could be allowed to operate for 80 years.   Attorney general files motion to suspend Pilgrim nuclear license transfer.
• Safety of Los Angeles Nuclear Laboratory  needs independent verification.
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves Westinghouse atomic fuel factory despite its leaks and spills. Whistleblowers and the safety problems at Hanford nuclear waste site.
• Toxic effects of uranium mining on indigenous communities.   Uranium mining and my family’s story.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Legal action on The Marshall Islands’ leaky radioactive nuclear waste dome?

UK. UK launches review of net zero emissions. Nuclear costs escalate as wind prices keeps falling. Warning on ecological impacts of Sizewell nuclear project.   Britain’s Dungeness nuclear reactors -extended outages, since corrosion found in pipes.   Residents of Gillingham UK unaware of proximity of nuclear waste dump. UK Government propaganda for nuclear war in the 1980s.

IRAN. US renews support for foreign companies working with Iran’s nuclear program .

BRAZIL. 10th International Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, May 2020

RUSSIA. Beware of secrecy over Russian Nuclear explosion, and of American nuclear dangers. Russia’s Rosatom nuclear firm targets its marketing at African countries.

TURKEY. Turkey Has Long Had Nuclear Dreams.

PHILIPPINES. Only Russia will benefit if Philippines goes nuclear.

AFRICA. African countries being conned into nuclear debt, by Russia. No nuclear in South Africa’s future energy mix.

SAUDI ARABIA. USA negotiating nuclear sales with Saudi Arabia. Countries vie to market nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia.

November 5, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 30 October – nuclear news

On October 24, seven Catholic peace activists were convicted on all counts for their 2018 protest against nuclear weapons. They face 20 years in gaol. This case is symbolic of where we  are at  – in the nuclear weaponisation of our planet.  At the same time, Julian Assange, in solitary confinement in UK, faces extradition to USA and a life sentence- for exposing the truth on U.S. military atrocities.

Climate change is going to be even more costly than we thought. In California, the severity of wildfires signals the future climate situations.

A bit of good news – The cleanest waste-to-energy power plant in the world.

World Nuclear Waste Report (WNWR) to be launched 11th November.

A young Hannah Rabin was the peace movement’s Greta.

Over 300 financial institutions put $748 billion in to nuclear weapons companies.

The hazards of nuclear submarines.

Offshore wind to become a $1 trillion industry by 2040.

Science journalism – dominated by white males.

ARCTIC. Permafrost is now becoming a carbon emitter.

EUROPE. Press freedom in Europe is on the decline.

JAPAN. Warning on Fukushima fallout for Tokyo 2020 Olympians. Fukushima’s continued struggle with radioactive waste. New plan for dealing with Fukushima’s radioactive water. 340,000 to evacuate Fukushima, landslide fears(- and what about the nuclear waste bags?)

USA.

• The reprehensible pro nuclear campaign for bailing out nuclear power in Ohio. Ohio’s Nuclear and Coal Bailout Bill Survives Court Challenge.   Group Opposed to Nuclear Bailout Turns to Courts After Petition Drive Fails.
• For the climate’s sake, the $multibillion nuclear industry bailouts must stop. Uninsurable – and for good reason – nuclear power.
• Bill Gates still hoping for tax-payer funding for his small nuclear reactor project.
• Rick Perry, as Energy Secretary, “solved” nuclear waste problem by reclassifying high level waste as low level.   USA’s nuclear wastes can’t stay in above-ground canisters forever.  20 sovereign nations in New Mexico and Texas oppose nuclear facility near Carlsbad.
• Columbia nuclear fuel factory in trouble again, with safety problems.
• Problems for Elizabeth Warren’s policy of No First Use of nuclear weapons.
• U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry says USA and Saudi Arabia negotiating on nuclear sales.
• $85B Nuclear Missile Competition Gets Messier as Feds Investigate Northrop.
• Bushfires rage in California– 940.000 without power. Climate Change Could Shift California’s Winds, Fueling Big Winter Fires.

AFRICA. Desertification and Drought – Sahara.

CHINA. China Rejects Policy of Nuclear Launch on Warning of an Incoming Attack.

UK. Assange Lawyers Issue Stark Warning to Journalists Around the World. Governments manipulate social media – Twitter executive is a British army psychological operations officer.

Brexit’s threat to Scotland’s environmental protection. UK govt postpones decision on Wylfa nuclear project.  Protestors against Sizewell nuclear project get their message out, despite EDF’s blocking tactics.

SWEDEN. Sweden’s wind power to surpass nuclear this year.

FRANCE. France’s government demands that EDF fix Flamanville nuclear reactor within one month.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. National nuclear commission strategy for Marshall Islands.

SOUTH AFRICA. Misuse of funds in South Africa”s nuclear reactor project.

RUSSIA. Highly toxic nuclear waste being imported into Russia, from Germany.  Worrying legacy of radioactive trash under planned Moscow roadway. Russian obfuscation over nuclear accident is a dangerous precedent.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea exasperated with USA’s hostile policies and demands.

IRAN. Iran Looms Over Race to Lead U.N. Nuclear Agency.

October 30, 2019 Posted by Christina MacPherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment