nuclear-news

Week to 18 August in Climate, Nuclear, Pandemic News

As always, hard to know what is the most important issue this week. But, for sure, the coronavirus pandemic is still there.  Latest global data: Total cases 2, 534, 611   deaths 771,106. New daily cases 212,487  –  deaths 4,181. In the USA, in states such as Texas, a prevailing libertarian spirit prevents people from taking precautions, such as wearing masks. The world is headed for an economic depression, and recovery depends on a vaccine and effective treatment for Covid-19.

Meanwhile – global heating moves on inexorably. The last decade has been the Earth’s hottest on record-bringing weather extremes, heatwaves, fires, storms.  AND – there’s the pandemic infectious diseases  connection, too – while heat brings an increase in mosquito-affected areas, with the diseases that they transmit, it also thaws permafrost, releasing microorganisms. Climate study looks at humans’ exposure to extreme temperatures during 21st century.

Hiroshima and the normalisation of atrocities.   In August, attention goes to the nuclear disarmament movement,. There are moves towards achieving a nuclear weapons-free world, for example,  steps that put pressure on the nine nuclear weapons nations. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons is working hard to achieve the 50 national ratifications that will make the Treaty on the Prohicition of Nuclear Weapons become international law. United Nations promotes the role of young people in ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

Some bits of good news:  New studies reveal good news about coronavirus immunity.     No cruise is good news for Venice.

Climate stabilization: Lessons from the corona crisis.  $6.6 trillion in annual GDP at risk as Asian climate warms – McKinsey Global Institute.  Business as usual equals many extra deaths from global warming.

Surviving the nuclear bomb at Nagasaki 75 years ago showed me nuclear weapons shouldn’t exist. A new splurge on nuclear weapons marks the Hiroshims/Nagasaki anniversary.

Nuclear weapons, nuclear war, remain a global existential threat.  Only luck has saved us from nuclear war, not planning.  All too often the world has narrowly avoided World War 3, due to mistakes.  A Major Nuclear Arms Treaty Expires Next Year. What Happens Next?  Urgent need to stop the erosion of nuclear arms treaties -multilateral disarmament forum.  Nuclear weapons countries have an obligation to lead in nuclear weapons control – U.N.

The development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and the need for research.

ARCTIC. GREENLAND.  Past the tipping point: Greenland glaciers will continue to lose ice, no matter what.  Arctic permafrost is thawing, as the region experiences unprecedented heat.

BANGLADESH. Drastic flooding in Bangladesh, displaces over 1.5 million, increasing coronavirus risk.

UKRAINE.  Nuclear radiation and Chernobyl’s forest fires.

FRANCE.  Climate change bad for nuclear: Hot weather, water shortage, likely to curb output at France’s Chooz nuclear reactors.

GERMANY.  Germany’s ‘very, very tough’ climate battle.    German energy utilities now earn more money from renewables than fossil fuels.

JAPAN. Japan sabotaging nuclear disarmament – ICAN chief.  Plaintiffs angered by gov’t appeal in Hiroshima ‘black rain’ suit.  Japan gov’t to appeal ruling on A-bomb “black rain” victims,   Fukushima’s Contaminated Wastewater Could Be Too Risky to Dump in the Ocean.  Japan’s nuclear fuel imports almost zero in 2019 as industry stagnates, 1st time in 50 yrs.  No prefecture in Japan wants to host nuclear waste dump.

USA.

• California’s Wildfires Are 500 Percent Larger Due to Climate Change.   Extreme weather causes emergency shutdown of nuclear plant in Iowa.
• Trump Hints about Meeting With Putin to Discuss Nuclear Treaty.  US open to nuclear agreement with Russia before including China.   USA are drifting toward a fraught nuclear arms race.  Survey finds that U.S. Democrats and Republicans both want to phase out land-based nuclear missiles.
• Biden Condemns Trump’s Nuclear Plans, (but he himself supports nuclear power)
• A judge again denies Virginia Uranium Inc.  Nuclear watchdog opposes any agreement that would transfer ownership of Three Mile Island Unit.
•  Even with $1.4 billion government subsidy, NuScam’s nuclear station is still a dodgy prospect.
• Renewable energy a better choice for Ohio, than nuclear bailout.
• Work ongoing at US nuclear repository despite virus cases. Hazards in U.S, government’s plans for more locations for low level nuclear wastes.  What about Vermont Yankee’s nuclear waste? Or dealing with it.  Fort Worth doesn’t need dangerous nuclear waste rolling through on Tarrant rail line. North Dakota shows how to deter any plan for nuclear waste dumping.  Nuclear fuel canisters all stored at decommissioned San Onofre nuclear station in California.  Army finally tearing down Fort Belvoir’s nuclear plant.
• New book: The Apocalypse Factory – plutonium and the making of the atomic age.

UK.  Hitachi renews interest in Wylfa nuclear project, wants government assurance on funding.  UK Chancellor evasive on the involvement of China in building Bradwell nuclear plant.    Extinction Rebellion’s protest demonstration against building of Sizewell nuclear plant.     £20 billion Sizewell C nuclear project ‘Costly and dangerous’– actress Diana Quick.  Maldon District Council now to hold Nuclear Public Meeting in Secret.

Public Comment Due on Proposed Uranium Mining.     Robots may be used for clean-up of highly radioactive areas of UK’s Dounreay nuclear complex. Nuclear site evacuated after chemical found.  UK offshore wind becomes cheaper than nuclear and gas .

RUSSIA. Andreyeva Bay’s damaged spent nuclear fuel to be removed in 2021.  Fuel finally removed from Russia’s most radioactive ship.  Kremlin Warns The US Of Nuclear Retaliation If Russia Or Her Allies Are Targeted.

CANADA. Alberta premier’s small nukes pipe dream makes no economic sense.  Alberta joins Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan – led by the nose by nuclear NuScam?

NORTH KOREA. Vulnerability of nuclear reactors to extreme weather events. Flooding all too close to North Korea’s main nuclear reactor.

IRAN. Iran nuclear deal at further risk.  But then -The United States lost a bid to extend a U.N. arms embargo on Iran.

SOUTH AFRICA. Southern African Faith Communities oppose extending the life of Koeberg nuclear power plant .

FIJI. Fiji’s bold step for peace.

MALAYSIA. Malaysia rejects nuclear power, focuses on renewable energy.

ARMENIA. Armenia’s Metsamor nuclear power plant poses threat to region .

MIDDLE EAST.  Houthis are actively enriching Thorium extracted from Yemeni mountains and sending it to Iran for arms manufacture.

SAUDI ARABIA.  Germany urges S.Arabia to comply with nuclear arms control treaty.  Tehran urges IAEA to shed light on Saudi ‘covert’ nuclear program.

AUSTRALIA. Although Australians started a move to abolish nuclear weapons, The Australian government tried to sabotage the U.N. nuclear ban treaty. On 17 August the Senate Nuclear Waste Inquiry- Public Hearings go Secret.

August 17, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration week: nuclear and climate news

75 years on, the inhumanity, racism, and sheer immorality of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is becoming recognised.  Was the bombing of Nagasaki necessary, or more likely, done as a statement of threat to Russia? A Hiroshima survivor explains why 75 years of radiation research is so important.  On the Hiroshima anniversary, four  States ratify the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, bringing the number up to 43 ratifications, near to the required 50, to make it law.  This is a significant Treaty, making it clear that,  like chemical and biological weapons, nuclear weapons are not respectable, not justifiable.

The coronavirus, and climate change have their worst effects on underprivileged people, and regions at war harder hit by climate change.

A doctor who is a hibakusha speaks out for the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Nuclear bomb devastation killed over 90% of the doctors and nurses in Hiroshima.  Hiroshima survivor Koko Kondo met the man who dropped that atomic bomb.  Untrue: claims that the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended World War 2.  The nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki did NOT save lives and shorten World War 2.     Racism in nuclear bomb testing, bombing of Japanese people, and nuclear waste dumping.

Arms control, the new arms race, and some reasons for optimism.      The illusion that nuclear weapons are under control.

The longlasting impact of Fukushima nuclear disaster, and nuclear activities world-wide.

Nuclear waste – how to warn people for 10,000 years.

It’s not the energy salvation for the world – nuclear fusion.

LEBANON.  Beirut explosion was not an atomic bomb.

VATICAN. Vatican signed up to the U.N. Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, provides moral guidance.

USA. 

• What can a pandemic teach us about nuclear threats?
•  “The Good Energy Collective” – a new nuclear front group getting the nuclear lobby into USA government.  Trump administration keen for nuclear power – so is Joe Biden.
• Nuclear crime seems to have actually still been worth it for South Carolina fraudsters.  How the Ohio nuclear bribery scandal developed. And what’s next.   Nuclear scandals in Ohio and Illinois raise serious issues about the role of government in the electricity sector. Bribery scandal haunts Exelon – casts doubt on future of Exelon’s Illinois Nuclear Plants.    Nuclear blackmail in Illinois –
• NuScam’s (not really  small) nuclear reactors rejected by Utah Taxpayers Association. Utah Taxpayers – NuScam nuclear power project costly and public kept in the dark.
• When it comes to nuclear tests in Nevada, numbers just don’t add up.
• Underground rockfall at Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
• Provision in National Defense Authorization Act to ban testing. Anti-nuclear protests at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base.
• Joe Biden’s pro nuclear plan ignores the nuclear waste question.
•  USA could save millions of lives, by combating global heating.  Florida’s nuclear power stations could be at risk in hurricane times.

RUSSIA.  Surprisingly Rapid Increase in Scale and Intensity of Fires in Siberia.  Russia will regard any incoming missile as a nuclear attack.  Problems with Russia’s hype about “super weapons”– and risk of escalating war.  Russia plans removal of its nuclear trash from Arctic waters.

JAPAN.  Billing Olympics as ‘pandemic recovery games’ unfeasible: ex-Fukushima mayor.   Fukushima’s contaminated waste water – more serious than previously thought.  Opening the floodgates at Fukushima.  Japan needs to halt its plan to dump contaminated water from Fukushima immediately.   Particles from Fukushima meltdown contained plutonium.  Fallout over Fukushima fallout papers continues as two are retracted.

UK.  The continuing and ever more expensive saga of Britain’s Hinkley Point C nuclear project,   Conservative politicians in UK gathering opposition to China’s involvement in nuclear projects.  Grim financial news for weapons maker Magnox/Babcock.    Ballooning by $billions – UK’s costs for its nuclear weapons.

FRANCE.  Flamanville -the costly bloated shoddy leaky white elephant in France’s nuclear room.  Fire at the Belleville nuclear power plant reveals the disorganization of EDF.

NEW ZEALAND.  Glaciers in New Zealand – extreme melting due to global heating.

AFRICA. Ways to get rid of nuclear weapons –ideas  from Africa.

GERMANY. Hosting nuclear weapons is a danger to Germany.

UKRAINE. Nuclear radiation – potential danger in East Ukraine.

PORTUGAL.  Portuguese party PAN lodges complaint to U.N. about Spain’s ageing Almarez nuclear power station.

ARMENIA.  Armenian Ambassador on Azerbaijani threats of missile strike against Metsamor Nuclear Power Plan.

AUSTRALIA.  Links between Trump administration, Falun Gong, and Australia’s government.  Australia’s nuclear lobby targets young people, using Facebook and Instagram.

August 10, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in coronavirus, climate, and nuclear news

As the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing approaches, there is “Psychic numbing” about the world’s suicidal nuclear weapons race.

This week there’s a striking example of how interconnected everything is. It’s Florida.  Florida is struck with two, – possibly three – awful calamities threatening this state all at once. There is Hurricane Isaias,  threatening Florida with flooding and destruction, at the same time as the state is overwhelmed with a record toll of coronavirus illnesses and deaths.

Possibly in the path of the hurricane are FPL’s two nuclear reactors 1,600-MW Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station located two miles east of Homestead, Florida, and about 25 miles south of Miami. There’s also FPL’s FPL’s 1,880-MW St. Lucie Nuclear facility located further up the Florida coast on Hutchinson Island.  Their output could be cut, or in a worse scenario, radioactive pollution could result, in the case of flooding.

California also suffers from record coronavirus deaths. At the same time, California is afflicted with wildfires, again raising the possibility of radioactive pollution at The Santa Susana site – America’s Secret Chernobyl.

So here, in two USA States, we have the conjunction of global heating effects, with increased extreme weather events, with the global pandemic’s effects, and the third, –  very real radiation risks from the nuclear industry.

A bit of good news – Renewables output outpacing coal and nuclear in USA.

The WHO says coronavirus is a once-in-a century crisis that will impact lives for decades.  Next type of coronavirus may be on its way.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement urges all nations to end the nuclear era. Never mind about Hiroshima – a nuclear arms race is on – in space!. BOOKS on The New Nuclear Threat. Hiroshima survivor,  Setsuko Thurlow, 88, continues her fight for a nuclear weapons-free world.  US-Russia launch talks in Vienna on nuclear arms control.

Global heating – “best case” scenario is a scary rise of two and a half degrees.  As sea levels rise globally, we need to start planning now.  Need for Prediction of Marine Heatwaves.

Environmental injustice is rampant around the world.

Julian Assange: Denied Lawyer Access and Failure of Transparency International –Assange appears in court, as lawyers warn case may be delayed by new US indictment.

JAPAN. Hiroshima court recognises Hiroshima “black rain” victims outside designated area as hibakusha after 75 years.  Local approval still needed, as Japan’s nuclear regulators OK fuel reprocessing plant, despite safety concerns.     Rokkasho plant should be shut down in energy policy shift.   Tohoku disaster funds spent for wining, dining company execs.  Experts propose two methods to scrap Daiichi plant.  Activist Professor Unveils English-language Video Warning of Tokyo Radiation Risk.

BANGLADESH.  Bangladesh flooding – a victim of global heating, though not a contributor to it

UK. UK is lobbying USA for a controversial new warhead for Trident missiles. Chinese minority owner of Hinkley nuclear project appoints CEO from China’s military area.  Does UK nuclear energy have any future? The industry has big doubts.

USA.

• Donald Trump on nuclear proliferation and global heating – he’s incompetent about both.  USA’s budget for nuclear weapons goes up and up.
• Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), sneaked into National Defense Bill: it will go back to U.S. Congress.
• South Carolina’s $9 billion nuclear fiasco – another legal saga develops, criminal investigation coming.
• USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans to weaken safety standards for smaller nuclear reactors.  Examining NuScam’s deceptive claims about Small Nuclear Reactors.  Looks as if 20 municipalities in Utah have been NuScammed for those not so small nuclear reactors.
• Karl Grossman on the Ohio Nuclear Scandal 2020.   Should aging nuclear reactors get propped up with subsidies? Ohio scandal highlights this question.    Following the nuclear scandal An Ohio resident has filed a class action lawsuit against FirstEnergy.
• Costs of Vogtle nuclear expansion just keep going up, Coronavirus making this worse.    Legal case settled over nuclear plant Vogtle.
• U.S. Nuclear Agency Workers Say Cost-Cutting Is Hurting Safety.
•  New Mexico Governor opposes nuclear waste dump in that state.
•  Mystery over drone swarm above America’s largest nuclear power station.  Drones could be a real danger to nuclear facilities.
• Bill in USA Senate to help nuclear workers made ill by radiation exposure.
• Problems in USA’s rush to put a nuclear reactor on the moon.   As Dept of Energy officials enthuse over nuclear in space, they show their disdain for health and safety in pandemic.  USA Department of Energy enthuses about Highly Enriched Uranium in space. Not everyone agrees.
• Coast Guard To Deliver Nuclear Icebreaker Plan to White House.

INDONESIA.  Thorium nuclear plan with USA firm – a dubious deal for Indonesia.

MARSHALL ISLANDS.  U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard refutes the claim that Marshall Islands nuclear waste site is safe.  Marshall Islands leaders hope for better help over radioactively polluted weapons tests sites.

RUSSIA. For the nuclear industry, coronavirus is helpful, as nuclear wastes go quietly from Germany to Russia.  Gorbachev renews call to oppose nuclear weapons.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. United Arabs Emirate’s nuclear power station cut corners on safety.  United Arab Emirates new nuclear power   risks further destabilising the Gulf region.  Experts wonder why Oil-rich UAE is opening the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant..

INDIA. India’s nuclear power industry – unsafe and shrouded in secrecy.

FRANCE.  French company EDF fined – it spread false information on cost of Hinkley nuclear power project.  Huge, costly, enormous effort, ITER nuclear fusion far from ready.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un says that North Korea’s nuclear weapons guarantee its freedom from attack, and war

IRAN.  Iran’s Khamenei refuses talks with U.S., says Trump wants them only for election propaganda.

CZECH REPUBLIC.  Czech Republic and CEZ sign nuclear power plant expansion agreement: require EU approval.

AUSTRALIA. Black lives DO matter, but not apparently, to ANSTO and Australia’s nuclear lobby. Nuclear waste dump site selection process has made the Barngarla people “aliens in their own country”.

August 3, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in pandemic, climate, and nuclear news

It’s hard to know what are the most important news items of the week, or the day.  The Pandemic Really Has Changed The World Forever.  Here’s what we know so far about the long-term symptoms of COVID-19.  Nurses and other healthcare workers open up about ‘terror’ of catching coronavirus.  We underestimate the long term effects of the pandemic.

Climate emergency is ‘a danger to peace’.  In 100 days, the climate emergency may be even more serious.  Latest climate study predicts disaster for oceans, coastlines and life as we know it.

The global sweep of coronavirus and climate news makes nuclear issues seem minor, or at least fade into the background a bit. But nuclear threats are always there.  This week the corruption that is rife in the global nuclear industry has been highlighted in the legal case in Ohio – a huge criminal racketeering conspiracy that orchestrated the bailout of nuclear power stations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBx56QyrUjY&t=3s

 Some bits of good news –     The economy usually recovers quickly once pandemics end.  House Democrats just put out the most detailed climate plan in US political history.

Coronavirus update: US, Brazil and India lead world tally of 16 million COVID-19 cases .  Global surge in Covid-19 infections, over 600.000 deaths.

World must act now to protect wildlife in order to stop future virus crises.  With loss of biodiversity will come new pandemics.

Global heating will mean that many areas become too hot for human activities.    New research: global temperature increase will surpass 2.6 degrees Celsius: the role of clouds.  How Facebook fosters climate denial.  Crucial need to fix air-conditioning: it causes billions of tons of greenhouse gases.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brtog4AABBg

Clear evidence of excess cancer risk from low dose ionizing radiation.  New CT scan method lowers radiation exposure . The global scam: nuclear energy and the industry surrounding it.

In the event of a nuclear bombing, electromagnetic pulse would be the least of our worries.  Space archaeology, space junk and weapons, and long-lasting radioactivity.

Humans are blanketing the Earth with plastic.

Earth’s Human Population Is Not Sustainable.

ARCTIC.  Arctic heatwave:  temperature reach  possible all time high.  Arctic fires and sea ice melt, show need for urgent climate action.     Alaska’s permafrost degrading as summer rainfall increases.

ASIA. Global heating means more rain for Asian monsoon regions.  South Asia floods displace millions and kill 550. Millions of children affected by devastating flooding in South Asia, with many more at risk as COVID-19 brings further challenges.  A critical situation’: Bangladesh in crisis as monsoon floods follow super-cyclone.  Flooding in Assam and Nepal kills hundreds and displaces millions .

MIDDLE EAST  Nuclear power in the Gulf.

GREECE.  Greece wildfires rage out of control .

USA.  US tops 1000 coronavirus deaths four days in a row, as experts urge the country to shut down.  Pacific Islanders in US hospitalised with Covid-19 at up to 10 times the rate of other groups.

Update on wildfires in northeast California.    Number of wildfires has soared in Maine in 2020 .   America’s choice – environmental and climate catastrophe under Trump, or some hope under Democratic rule.

• Ohio’s tainted House Bill 6 likely to be repealed.    Ohio House Republicans introduce legislation to repeal controversial bailout of nuclear power plants.   Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case. As FBI investigates nuclear bribery, environmentalists call for review of controversial Ohio nuclear bailout bill.  What now for the nuclear power plants? USA’s nuclear woes highlighted by Ohio corruption case.
• Guilty plea by former SCANA executive – who will be a valuable witness to prosecutors in South Carolina nuclear scandal.  Settlement for ratepayers over failed VC Summer nuclear project.    UK will fund its nuclear power with the same schemes used by bankrupt US nuclear financing practices!   Nuclear power: Still a rip-off after all these years
• USA wants nuclear power stations on the moon and on Mars.
• Funding for nuclear weapons tests is blocked in U.S. Congress.   Union of Concerned Scientists, nuclear watchdogs and environmentalists push for elimination of funding for nuclear testing. Opposition to nuclear testing is led by Utah’s present and former Congressmen.
• Trump administration plans vast expansion of military budget. Trump uses fear of China to drum up hostilities, and diminish arms control.
• September 3 and 4 – new sentencing dates for Kings Bay PLowshares 7 anti-nuclear-bomb activists.
• 770-ton nuclear reactor pressure vessel completes trip to Utah.

UK. 

• Tory MPs angry about China’s involvement in British nuclear power plant. EDF denies that China has increasingly big role in UK’s Hinkley Point nuclear project. China takes a bigger role at Hinkley as nuclear reactor pressure rises.
• Bradwell B new nuclear project probably doomed, -on fragile shore subject to flooding.  UK public has been misled over plans for nuclear reactors in Essex.
• A series of accidents and near misses between surface vessels and submarines in the waters round Scotland.  Plan for Scotland to be free of nuclear weapons.

JAPAN. Robot to use brush to retrieve melted fuel at Fukushima plant. Plutonium Particles Scattered 200km From Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Site, Scientists Say. The Fukushima Daiichi Accident Chain, Part 6.

Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years ago are still claiming lives and causing suffering.  Virtual tours planned at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.  Arms Control Today interviews Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui .

FRANCE. France’s Flamanville new generation nuclear reactor “is a mess” – Energy Minister Barbara Pompili.        Takeover of UraMin – a scam linked to incompetence of leaders in the nuclear industry.

NETHERLANDS. Why the nuclear whistleblower exposing AQ Khan was ignored.

CHINA. Floods.  Will China change its policy on dams? China’s government-run nuclear institutions are experiencing a brain drain.

CANADA. Problems in planned nuclear waste dump at Chalk River.

IRAN.  Does Iran Really Want to Build Nuclear Weapons at Any Cost? Maybe Not. Cause of blast at Iran nuclear site – still shrouded in mystery.

RUSSIA.  Wildfires in Siberia have burned down an area larger than Greece .   Russian navy to get hypersonic nuclear weapons: Putin.

SAUDI ARABIA.  Saudi Arabia could become a pawn in a proxy nuclear war.

NORTH KOREA.  North Korea declares emergency over suspected Covid-19 case.  North Korea continues policy -no denuclearization talks until the US withdraws its “hostile policy”.

AUSTRALIA  New Federal radioactive waste agency flawed from day one  Spinbusting the extraordinarily inept nuclear waste media release from 3 Australian MPs.   Coronavirus cases aren’t coming down despite Victoria’s lockdowns. Experts seek to explain why.

July 27, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Coronavirus, Climate and Nuclear news this week

I had vowed to leave the pandemic for everyone else to cover.  But, it’s too much. It’s too big.  I think that we are all dimly aware, now, that we’re not getting back to normal any time soon.  Today’s news – Coronavirus deaths top 600,000 worldwide as pandemic infections surge.  Amid the global pandemic, humanity still faces simultaneous existential dangers – nuclear war and climate change.

The pandemic is certainly a global crisis. Scientists call for climate change to be treated as a crisis, too. Climate change will make much of the planet too hot for humans to function.

July 16 was the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion, “Trinity” in New Mexico. This anniversary was a timely reminder of the harm done to workers, and soldiers, by the nuclear weapons industry. The “Trinity” explosion was the beginning of America’s nuclear oppression of its own people.

  Some bits of good news –  Oxford coronavirus vaccine triggers strong immune response, trial shows .    The Search Engine That Plants Trees With Every Search Has Just Planted its 100-Millionth Tree. (picture above)

Greta Thunberg calls for immediate action on ‘existential crisis‘ of climate emergency.   The ever-increasing threat of coronavirus, but the global heating threat is even worse.

More pandemics to come – bat research is critical for prevention.

Thanks to Botswana, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has now reached 40 states ratifying it.

Nuclear bomb testing – the cruellest legacy of environmental injustice and racism. July 16 1945 – the first nuclear bomb test – the start of many more.

Because of the pandemic, nuclear power plants have to have safety checks done by remote means.

Investigative journalism – mapping uranium.

ARCTIC.  Climate change may kill off nearly all polar bears by 2100

ANTARCTICA. Antarctic glacier melting at an alarming rate.

AFRICA.  HEAT – Climate science must stop ignoring Southern Africa.

JAPAN.   Remembering the victims of the atomic bombings 75 years ago.   Particulate plutonium released from the Fukushima Daiichi meltdowns.  Video Testimonies from Fukushima in 7 Languages: “We want to protect the ocean of Fukushima, for the future of the fishing industry”.   Fukushima localities speak out against dumping radioactive water in sea.    Regulator demands TEPCO clarify responsibilities.    J-pop group TOKIO to promote Fukushima goods in new TV commercials.

Investigative journalism    Being Clear-Eyed About Citizen Science in the Age of COVID-19.

8 cases of inappropriately stored nuclear waste found at northern Japan reprocessing plant.  Japanese bishops’ anti-nuclear power book available in English.

USA.

• Global heating is turning cities into death traps.  Massive wildfire in rural central California.
• USA National coalition against nuclear weapons.  Peace cranes flyimg in Vermont , in support of U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  Reflecting on Cape Cod’s Cold War nuclear history.  A USA resumption of nuclear testing? -a green light for all other nations to start their own testing.
•     The effects of radiation on the “downwinders” – guinea pigs for nuclear bomb research.      Western Shoshone land stolen for nuclear weapons tests and waste dump. Church Rock Uranium Tailings Pond Breach Disaster in Navajo Nation – 40th Year Anniversary.
•  Purpose of US International Development Finance Corporation perverted in the interests of the nuclear industry.
• Alarm at USA plan to exempt NuScam etc new nuclear reactors from emergency planning.
•   Slow progress of Michigan bill opposing high-level nuclear waste dump.   Nuclear waste is piling up in California: leadership is needed.  Debate over San Onofre’s “nuclear waste dump by the sea,”   California Coastal Commission unanimously approves storage plan at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station .  State of Texas allows reduction in price of importing nuclear waste.  New Mexico nuclear facility is bad news.  Los Alamos Study Group press Santa Fe Council – to stop Santa Fe becoming a nuclear sacrifice zone.
• SCANA’s ex-top executive to plead guilty in a $9 billion nuclear fraud.   Kentucky man indicted after illegally dumping nuclear waste at landfill.
•   New fast test to detect ionising radiation.

BRAZIL.  Forest fires raging over wide areas of the Brazilian Amazon,

FRANCE.  Electricite de France (EDF) ‘s new nuclear reactors not financially viable.

CANADA.  The next threat: A high-level nuclear waste dump near Lake Huron.

KAZAKHSTAN. The nuclear test health toll – cancer and birth deformities in Kazakhstan.

GREECE.  Wildfire out of control in Greece?

RUSSIA. Siberia’s heat-wave – global heating is what made this possible.   Additional resources requested for Siberian forest fire; state of emergency.  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warns about the risk of a nuclear war .

EUROPE.  Radioactive Contamination of Europe.  Nuclear power is excluded from European Commission’s strategies for a Green Deal.

INDIA.  India has not committed to the great transition to nuclear power it once envisioned.

UK.

• EDF’s UK nuclear projects in doubt after Court of Audit report.   Veteran  MP is calling for safeguards against a Chinese-built nuclear power station.  Maldon District Council Planning Committee does an about turn, now rejects Bradwell nuclear power project.    Suffolk coast – time to choose whether it is to be a nuclear or a renewable coast.
• Campaign group Geiger Bay press for full testing of Hinkley nuclear plant sediment–  How to deal with the thousands of fish threatened by Hinkley Point C nuclear plants cooling turbines.
• Too many near misses – get UK’s nuclear submarines out of Scotland.  British nuclear sub narrowly missed passenger ferry near Belfast.
• Rolls Royce Small Modular Nuclear Reactors: not small, not modular, not cheap, and not going to happen.

AZERBAIJAN.  Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman suggests bombing Armenian nuclear power station.

CHINA.  Why did over 90 nuclear safety scientists resign en masse from an institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)?

AUSTRALIA.      In federal environmental law review:  no change to nuclear power prohibition 

July 20, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Thisweek’s climate and nuclear news

Can’t keep up with the Covid-19 news. Crazy world? Disney reopens Florida theme parks as state smashes US record for new coronavirus cases.   Big global problems now more obviously  intertwining  – From Covid-19 to climate: what’s next after the global oil and gas industry crash?

Extreme weather, exacerbated by global heating just keeps on happening. The new normal for Northern Siberia – thawing permafrost,forests on fire.  Millions in southern China face floods caused by heavy rains. Floods and landslides lash Nepal, scores dead.  Deadly Flooding in Japan.  Record heat possible from California to Florida on Sunday.

While the world is preoccupied with Covid-19, and with national responses, and economic effects, climate change should not be forgotten, as it moves on inexorably.  Climate change’s big problem – there’s no quick fix.  Climate change is seriously hitting women, right now.

July 16 will be the 75 years’ anniversary of the first nuclear bomb detonation. Why do we hear so little about this other sword of Damocles hanging over our collective heads.  ? Globally taxpayers $billions go to nuclear weapons, with the ever increasing risk of nuclear war and nuclear winter, resulting from accident, human error, misunderstanding, or “limited” or unlimited nuclear attack.

   A bit of (qualified) good news.  –  Why New Zealand decided to go for full elimination of the coronavirus.   Coronavirus: No new cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation in New Zealand.   Covid-19 coronavirus: Ashley Bloomfield’s warning as NZ records lowest testing day since March.

Paul Ehrlich warns that overpopulation and overconsumption are driving us over the edge .

Warning of serious brain disorders in people with mild coronavirus symptoms.

American-Israeli strategy developing for clandestine not-quite-war strikes on Iran?

Lower-latitude oceans drive complex changes in the Arctic Ocean.    Faith in Climate Action — The Church’s Response to Hothouse Earth.  Facebook allows climate denial propaganda, and restricts climate scientists.

Radiation-related health hazards to uranium miners.

INDIA.  90 Coronavirus cases among India’s nuclear workers, most at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

IRAN.  Explosion at Iran’s nuclear facility probably caused by Israel.   Iran says world ‘must respond’ to Israel after blast at nuclear site.

UKRAINE.  In 2020, a new radiological danger in Chernobyl.

USA.   

• Democrats split on Trump plan to use development funds for nuclear projects.  Senators urge US Development Finance Corp not to fund ‘risky’ overseas nuclear projects. U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams announces opposition to nuclear testing,  hopes to extend compensation for downwinders.
• Mega-rich Americans prepare for nuclear war, with luxury bunkers.
• New research shows serious health effects from Three Mile Island nuclear accident.  Problems and dangers face the dismantlement of damaged Three Mile Island nuclear reactor.
• The massive task of transporting a massive dead nuclear reactor. Dangerous nuclear waste casks should stay off roads and rails.
• $192.5 million legal settlement over failed SC nuclear project.  South Carolina nuclear worker dies of Covid-19.
•   “The Hanford Plaintiffs: Voices from the Fight for Atomic Justice”- Book Review.   New Book: Doom With A View: Historical and Cultural Contexts of the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant.

EUROPE. EU lawmakers ban nuclear from green transition fund, leave loophole for gas.  Rapid coal phase-out could drive European green recovery: Bloomberg.

FRANCE. The umpteenth financial slide of the Flamanville EPR.    France’s state auditor questions the wisdom of EDF’s Hinkley Point nuclear project in UK.  Court reveals that EDF deceived UK about the true financial risks of Hinkley Point nuclear project.

JAPAN. Rally opposes proposal for Fukushima wastewater .  Movement in Japan to suspend Olympic Games. Fukushima’s Olympic makeover: Will the ‘cursed’ area be safe from radioactivity in time for Games?  Nine years on, Fukushima’s mental health fallout lingers.   Fukushima nuclear waste decision also a human rights issue.

UK. UK Ministers losing enthusiasm for small nuclear reactors developed with China.  Britain’s nuclear future in trouble, aging reactors, and not enough money without China’s help.  The connections between nuclear weapons and nuclear power.

MARSHALL ISLANDS.  Anniversary of nuclear bomb test on Mururoa Atoll.

SPAIN. Reducing radioactive waste in processes to dismantle nuclear facilities.

RUSSIA.  Evacuation of a tiny Russian village, – in preparation for a nuclear missile test?

AUSTRALIA. Australia a big world player in producing greenhouse gas emissions.  Australia now the biggest exporter of global heating– the Saudi Arabia of coal and gas.

July 13, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

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.

July 7, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, climate, pandemic news for last week in June

Image from Together Against Sizewell C Painted by Lee Norton

We are going to need to learn to live with the virus. Scientists just beginning to grasp how bad this Coronavirus is.

Will the pandemic open up global action to halt global heating? 16th Century colonisation, slavery began the planet’s damage, 21st Century pandemic response could repair it.    Coronavirus is an SOS: Mend our broken relationship with nature, says UN and WHO.

Need for action on global heating –  It’s 38°C in Siberia.  One climate writer thinks that “it’s time to get emotional about climate”.

On the nuclear scene – same same – propagandists touting nuclear as a “cure” for climate change, and minimising the issue of costs. A European worry –  about a cloud with tiny levels of radioactivity detected, over Scandinavia and European Ar

US, Russia nuclear arms talks end with plans for second round.

How we can manage the intermittency of renewables and attain 100% renewables.

Julian Assange faces new indictment in USA.

UK.   Costing the Earth – New Nuclear is Beyond Expensive Beyond Dangerous and often Beyond Operational- so why is it touted as “Clean Energy”?  UK’s expensive problem of nuclear power’s inflexibility.

• Sizewell nuclear plant – untried, costly, environmentally damaging, and no electricity for 10 years or more!. Sizewell planning documents reveal higher-than-expected £20bn price tag. UK planning inspectorate accepts Sizewell C nuclear plans for examination.  UK’s planning inspectorate should shut down the plan for Sizewell nuclear power, vulnerable to climate change.  UNITE- urged to  unite against Sizewell C.
• Wylfa nuclear project: Donald Trump plea over site sale dismissed.
• Bradwell nuclear power station – an unwise plan.
• Nuclear developers push UK government for prompt decision on government finance for new construction.

EUROPE. European Union countries agree to exclude nuclear, fossil gas from green transition fund

RUSSIA.  Russia denies its nuclear plants are source of radiation leak .  Radiation level increase in northern Europe may ‘indicate damage’ to nuclear power plant in Russia.  Russia’s priority is to involve UK, France in future nuclear arms control talks — diplomat. 2,000 Covid-19 Cases in Severodvinsk, city that builds Russia’s nuclear submarines.

USA.

• Instead of funding health, care, U.S. Senate approves  big increase to funding nuclear weapons. Trump administration says it won’t carry out a nuclear weapons test ‘at this time’.  Outer space beginning to look like a new area of nuclear conflict, according to Pentagon.  The Shoshone people and nuclear bomb testing.  President’s nuclear fantasy threatens Nevadans’ health, national security.
• Judge orders temporary stop to decommissioning Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.
• Resequencing of Vogtle nuclear plant expansion activities is credit negative: Moody’s.
• Crash of nuclear waste truck, fortunately the cask was empty.
• After 134 years, renewables beat coal in US – and head to 50 pct share by 2030.
• Grave concerns in New Mexico about nuclear waste plan.
• Holtec International Under Criminal Investigation.    Lawsuit alleges cover-up at nuclear weapons facility.
• U.S. Dept of Energy entrenching the nuclear industry into universities, (at tax-payers’ expense).
• USA financing nuclear projects abroad – but what if Small Nuclear Reactors are a flop?

JAPAN. Radioactive hotspots near Fukushima Olympic facilities: will Japan be ready for 2012 Games?  Testing for radiation in Fukushima – the continued anxiety.

UKRAINE.  Ukraine declassifies Chernobyl nuclear disaster documents.

CANADA. Ontario Power Generation pulls the plug on nuclear waste project.  Opposition by Saugeen-Ojibway nation brings end to plan for nuclear waste near Lake Huron.    Coalition for Responsible Energy Development wants a stop to nuclear expansion in Canada.    Small modular nuclear reactors fraught with problems.

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

FRANCE.  France’s old Fessenheim nuclear reactor to finally shut down- the first of many.

GERMANY. Nuclear waste from Germany to Russia.

NEW ZEALAND.  New Zealand stood up to the nuclear bullies- the Rainbow Warrior story.

POLAND. Marketing man Donald Trump trying to sell U.S. nuclear reactors to Poland.

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

IRAN. Board of IAEA issues mild rebuke to Iran.

AUSTRALIA. Labor reaches for bipartisanship on energy policy, but a DEFINITE NO TO NUCLEAR.    Julian Assange’s fiancée calls on the Australian government to secure his freedom.

June 29, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 23 June – the week in nuclear/climate news

With a record world increase in coronavirus cases, Brazil and North America in the spotlight – media attention has been rightly focussed on the pandemic. FAIR exposes the false claims about China and COVID-19 . At the same time, global heating seems to be at a runaway pace, affecting the Northern Hemisphere, and especially the Arctic.  To protect our planet – we need to transform, not grow, the economy.

Global nuclear news is mainly just the same old collection of handouts from the nuclear industry, faithfully regurgitated by journalists who want to keep their jobs.  Otherwise, not much is happening.

A bit of good news – Coronavirus  more than 1500 treatment studies are underway world-wide.

Now, the nuclear arms race has become even worse.

Joint Project Nuclear Risk and Public Control.

Explaining ionising radiation -a film about nuclear fallout

COVID-19, nuclear war, and global warming: lessons for our vulnerable world.

Covid-19 pandemic – ‘fire drill’ for effects of climate crisis.  COVID-19 recovery plans – excellent opportunity for global renewable energy development.

USA. 

• Time to act on Dr King’s call to tackle evils of racism, economic exploitation, and war. Why we must stop investing in nuclear weapons.
• How much did USA’s failed plutonium project cost? Now a giveaway sale of MOX equipment.
• Donald Trump’s extraordinary ignorance on which countries are nuclear powers. Let them eat weapons: Trump’s bizarre arms race . BOLTON BOOK: Trump Endorsed Israeli Airstrike On Iranian Nuclear Reactors.  Scientists urge US not to resume nuclear tests.
• USA taxpayers’ money can now go to private companies overseas building nuclear reactors!
• Heaviest load ever through Nevada, the 770-ton reactor pressure vessel from dead SanOnofre nuclear station.
• South Carolina Electric and Gas lawyers and executives could face gaol for fraud. Massachusetts officials have dropped a lawsuit against Holtec over $1B Nuclear cleanup.
• Nuclear industry encroaching further into USA education, thanks to DOE funding.
• USA’s secret plan for “dominance”by exploding a nuclear bomb on the moon.   False fright: religious group advertisement claims “Islam” about to make nuclear strike.

RUSSIA.  The ‘chemical fingerprint’ of a 2017 nuclear explosion.    Anti-nuclear resistance in Russia: problems protests, reprisals.  Siberia’s alarming  prolonged heat wave.

UK.  UK’s Nuclear Future in Doubt amid Diplomatic Fallout over Huawai.   EDF’s failing nuclear reactors in UK.  Covid-19 pandemic being used to prevent proper public consultation on Bradwell nuclear project.   Bradwell nuclear project “unsustainable, unsuitable and unacceptable” – and not a done deal.  Sizewell nuclear power station could become a dangerous nuclear island. Sizewell C nuclear project threatens nationally important landscapes, habitats and species of the Suffolk coast.

PACIFIC ISLANDS. Pacific leaders do not want the coronavirus pandemic to distract from work on climate change.

FRANCE. Nuclear power sales heavily affected by COVID-19 in France: legal battles to follow.

SOUTH AFRICA. Financially ruinous coal and nuclear power proposals – will muck up post-Covid-19 recovery. South Africa’s environmental watchdogs warn government against new nuclear power.    Renewable energy for South Africa – cost-efficient and quick – forget coal and nuclear.

SOUTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un’s cyberwar preparations.    U.S. – China talks may cover North Korea nuclear issue

BULGARIA.  French, American, Russian nuclear companies join forces to build Bulgarian nuclear station.

INDIA. Explaining the India-China conflict.

JAPAN. COVID-19 sheds doubts on Tokyo Olympics 2021.

IRAN. Europe’s effort to save Iran nuclear deal.

BRAZIL. 35 years in construction, Brazil’s very costly Angra 3 nuclear plant to be delayed yet again.

TURKEY. Environmental problems, and legal holdup for Russia’s $20 billion nuclear power project in Turkey.

June 23, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week in nuclear and climate news

News is, by its nature, all about bad stuff. Whatever is normal, reasonable, decent,  is ordinary, and just not news, – a fact that we need to remind ourselves of, in these uncertain Covid-19 days.  There’s a lot of good will for changing society’s trajectory towards ruining our planet.  Half of the Earth’s ice-free land is still free from human impact.  Post-pandemic packages could green up our energy systems for environmental and economic benefit.   Some seemingly small ideas can have surprisingly large successes – for example, fast-growing mini-forests springing up in Europe are helping the climate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO0IWAgJdlk

Another bit of good news –  Elders Around the World in Their 80s, 90s, and 100s Are Bouncing Back From Virus – and Sharing Advice.

Our existential threat – our extinction.

Cloud studies indicate that global heating may be more alarming than anticipated.  Global heating to bring more frequent, more extreme, ocean waves.  Seeking ways to remove carbon from the air.

The last major treaty for nuclear weapons control now hangs in the balance.

USA. 

• USA’s reckless nuclear spending as coronovirus hits the nation.   Bernie Sanders, and moving the money away from militarism.  Sanders Proposes Slashing Pentagon Budget by 10% to Reinvest Funds in Communities ‘Devastated by Poverty and Incarceration’.
• As pandemic costs rise, USA plans costly,dangerous nuclear weapons tests. USA – resuming nuclear tests would wreck the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), with no military or strategic benefit.   80 Lawmakers Demand Trump Ditch Any Thought of Resuming ‘Dangerously Provocative’ Nuclear Tests –  dangerous brinkmanship. Top Democrats demand answers.
• Trump wants costly armed nuclear ice-breakers – where will the money come from ?
• In U.S. Congress, a Bill to prohibit Trump’s possible plan to use nuclear weapons on hurricanes.
• USA’s  International Development Finance Corp will remove its ban on financing exports of US nuclear technologies.   Plan for USA’s taxpayers to fund nuclear power exports. USA offers to build Britain’s nuclear reactors.
• U.S. nuclear industry looks for salvation to hydrogen production – clutching at straws?
• USA’s failing nuclear industry will not be saved by new plan to stockpile uranium.  Nuclear Regulatory Commission will prepare a full environmental impact statement (EIS) on nuclear license renewal for Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility.
• Continuing court battle against proposed nuclear waste site near Carlsbad.

JAPAN.

• Fukushima’s  radioactive waste problem. Fukushima: Japan Must Not Ignore Human Rights Obligations On Nuclear Waste Disposal – UN Experts. Japan extends 2011 disaster recovery agency’s work by 10 years. Evacuation orders to be lifted even before radiation purged.
• Government, nuclear industry badly in need of a reality check.   ¥10 trillion reserve to combat pandemic branded Abe’s ‘pocket money’ .
• A housewife will run as candidate for Iwaki City Election 2020: “I want to protect Iwaki’s children”.
• Tepco and Toshiba join forces to upgrade Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant.
• Japan should end its nonsensical effort to recycle nuclear fuel.
• Tracing Individual Perceptions of Media Credibility in Post-3.11 Japan.
• Island of Iwaishima‘s 30 year fight to stop nuclear reactors.

TAIWAN. Taiwan green groups urge Japan not to discharge radioactive water.

FRANCE. Fire on French submarine – luckily its nuclear reactor, nuclear fuel, had been removed for overhaul Risk of fire on a nuclear submarine. France’s lucky escape, due to reactor being removed for overhaul. French nuclear watchdog demands EDF fix faults at 5 reactors.

RUSSIA. Russia: commentary on its nuclear deterrence principles.

EUROPE. Radioactive cloud over Europe in 2017 came from a civilian nuclear reactor.

INDIA. India will follow with nuclear weapons testing, if USA resumes testing.

UK. Investigative journalism – Will Sellafields nuclear waste waft to Ireland? Or waft somewhere else?    Why doesn’t debt-ridden EDF cut its losses and close its uneconomic UK nuclear reactors.  Sellafield waste will stay on site after 2021, Cumbria County Council agrees.  Grave climate risks to Sizewell C nuclear project – all too close to the sea.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea Vows to Boost Nuclear Program, Saying U.S. Diplomacy Failed.

SOUTH AFRICA.  South African activists threaten to sue over nuclear plan.

CANADA. Canada’s proposed radioactive waste disposal rules are weak and industry-friendly.  Delay to community vote on nuclear waste dump for South Bruce, Ontario.

ARMENIA. Armenia Rejects Russian Funding For Nuclear Plant Upgrade.

BELGIUM. Wallonia rejects nuclear waste disposal suggestion.

LUXEMBOURG. Greenpeace Luxembourg Protests against Belgian Nuclear Waste.  No feasible solution found between Belgium and Luxembourg on nuclear waste disposal.

BRAZIL. Brazil government approves plan to complete third nuclear plant.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s govt rushes nuclear waste Bill through Lower House, but this story is not over.All Users

June 15, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s nuclear and climate news

Going back to “normal”? But “normal” IS the problem. The world waits, to see how the plans of nations to get over , recover, from the pandemic period are actually going  to work.  Not too well, in some cases.  New Zealand shines.

The nuclear lobby is enthusiastically promoting itself as a saviour in helping deal with the pandemic. Does anyone believe this spin? Meanwhile nuclear nations, led by USA, turn to a renewed burst of spending on nuclear weapons.

Time to transfer funds from weapons to making vaccines.

The world is sleepwalking toward a period free of nuclear arms control.

New report calls out banks that make nuclear weapons investments.

Loophole in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): small military nuclear reactors lack safeguards.

Species are becoming extinct at an accelerating rate.

The most effective leader in the world – Jacinda Adern,  Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Some bits of good news – For the First Time, U.S. Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal Every Day For An Entire Month. Coronavirus Cooking Survey’ Finds That People Are Eating Healthier and Wasting Less

USA.

• Nuclear detection helicopter Flies Mission Around Washington D.C. Amid Unrest .
• Top Democrats promote bill to ban live nuclear tests. Trump wants a nuclear test – adding to the sickness of the world.  If he wins election, Joe Biden would restore Iran nuclear deal.  Trump tells Iran they should get “a better deal” with him now, before the U.S. election.
• Many $billions for U.S. Air Force’s new nuclear weapons.
• USA nuclear-missile program data leaked, as contractor hit with Maze Ransomware.
• U.S. taxpayers bearing the crushing cost of nuclear waste.   Legal challenge to “Interim” storage of nuclear wastes, before permanent disposal determined. Anxieties over the risks of spent nuclear fuel storage at San Onofre.  Kentucky’s radioactive disaster site Paducah.
•  Emergency preparedness at San Onofre Nuclear Plant – agreement approved.  Beyond  Nuclear files Federal Lawsuit Challenging High-Level Radioactive Waste Dump. Radioactive waste imported from Estonia for iconic Bears Ears, Utah?
• An American nuclear reactor flooded by an extreme rainfall event – during the pandemic.
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will run environmental study BEFORE relicensing South Carolina nuclear fuel plant.
• Exhumed AREVA – now “Framatome” acquires BWX Technologies’ US nuclear services business.

UK. Climate Experts Predict ‘Grim Future’ For Nuclear Power . UK’s Sizewell nuclear plan in doubt, due to cost and China’s involvement?  China is reconsidering building nuclear reactors in Britain.  Deep concern over environmental  cost of planned Sizewell C nuclear station.  Caring about Cancer? A UK and Irish perspective. Most UK pension providers are investing in nuclear weapons companies.   Choosing nuclear narrows future energy choices.

FRANCE. Huge police squadron paid by nuclear industry to monitor residents of Bure.  French state-controlled utility EDF has to inspect valve leaks at Flamanville, Taishan, Finland nuclear sites. EDF terminates nuclear electricity supply contracts.  High rate of cancers among Mururoa nuclear veterans’ families.  France goes back to its restrictive nuclear compensation law affecting Polynesian nuclear test survivors.

RUSSIA.  Russian city Severodvinsk, (near site of nuclear accident) sealed off due to Covid-19. Russia will now allow use of atomic weapons against non-nuclear strike.   Anti–nuclear resistance in Russia: problems, protests, reprisals. The Mayak nuclear reprocessing plant: Rosatom’s dirty face- and the courageous opposition. Uranium mining protests in Russia.  Activists, despite government oppression, campaign for decommissioning of Russia’s aging nuclear reactors .  Nuclear submarine accidents contaminating Russia’s Far East.

INDIA. Nuclear power plants in the path of oncoming Cyclone Nisarga.

GERMANY.  German Parliament in debate on basing of nuclear weapons.  Discussion on Poland, Germany hosting nuclear weapons.

CZECH REPUBLIC. Czech Fiscal Council warns on the long-term risk of financing a new nuclear reactor.

IRAN. Iran challenges Donald Trump to return to nuclear deal.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong Un unlikely to use nuclear weapons – an alternative leader of N Korea might be worse.

ITALY. Latina plant, the last of Italy’s 4 nuclear power stations to be dismantled.

EUROPE.  The European Union plus France, Germany and the UK “deeply regret” US decision on Iran sanctions.   Desperate nuclear lobby tries to con the European Commission with its bogus claim about climate solving.

CHINA. China’s nuclear power ambitions face delays, waste problems, and the growing success of renewables.

ISRAEL. Nuclear Weapons: The Reason Why Even Iran Fears Israel.

AUSTRALIA. Australia’s nuclear-free, anti-uranium movement adapts to this pandemic period – presenting a series of webinars – “Yellowcake Country“.

June 8, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week in nuclear, climate, pandemic news

The media’s, politicians’ and the public’s gaze has now shifted from the health aspects of coronavirus, to the economic effects of the pandemic, and of the response to it.

Which brings us to the question of – what should governments be doing with tax-payers’ money?

Well, one thing they shouldn’t be doing is wasting it.  Yet, in the case of the nuclear industry, that is what’s happening, and especially in the cause of nuclear weapons.   Alex Smith, of Radio Ecoshock covers not only the shocking economics of the nuclear industry, but its unsafety in this time of pandemic, the associated secrecy and bungling in America, Russia, Japan, China, Canada, Europe and beyond. And this includes the vulnerability of nuclear facilities to the effects of global heating.

Eminent Persons Warn Against Any Demonstration Nuclear Test Explosion. – “grave challenge to global peace and security” – Nuclear watchdog on potential U.S. nuclear test.

The Environmental Legacy of Nuclear Weapons Production: Five Case Studies — HUMAN WRONGS WATCH

‘The Triumph of Doubt‘ – corporations’ war on science.

Research is needed into health effects of 4G and 5G [electromagnetic] radiation.

SOUTH ASIA.  Extreme heat, humidity, air pollution – combined threat to South Asia.

EUROPE. European Union’s recovery plan promotes renewable energy, omits nuclear

FINLAND. Finland’s new nuclear reactor hit by valve leak.

LUXEMBOURG. New Luxembourg law allows claims over nuclear accidents.

BELARUS. Lithuania, Belarus sign nuclear incident notification agreement.

SWEDEN. Sweden gets a new Nuclear Emergency Plan.

USA.

• Trump withdraws from Open Skies Treaty, throws more doubt on the future of the New START nuclear treaty.
• Resuming nuclear testing a Slap in the Face to Survivors.  Trump’s ominous creation of the U.S. Space Force – for the purposes of war.    During pandemic, U.S. military runs the largest maritime war games in the world.
• Nuclear industry brazenly exploiting Pandemic to get tax-payer funding.  Now with the pandemic, it is a free-for-all for the nuclear operators .  The claim that nuclear power is needed for national security is a masked money-grab.
•   Nuclear emissions cause cancer.
• Here’s a supremely unaffordable nuclear fantasy – reactors on the moon and Mars.
• Nuclear deregulation threatens workers at Pennsylvania plants and nationwide.
• Federal report: 2019 Seattle radiation leak could have been disastrous, was a ‘near miss’.
• Heavy problems in transporting dead nuclear reactor, especially in hot weather.  Huge task of  carting 770-ton nuclear reactor from Southern California to Utah.  Huge dead nuclear reactor is a tough haul on Nevada’s roads.
• Removing US caps on Russian nuclear fuel imports.

CANADA. Ontario’s nuclear re-build postponed due to pandemic.  Opposition in Canada to nuclear waste dump on agricultural land.  Canadian farming community not happy about taking on nuclear wastes.

RUSSIA.  Oleg Bodrov on the status of the Russian nuclear industry.

UK.

• Estimated costs of Uk’s nuclear power projects – Sizewell C £18 billion ($22bn), Hinkley Point C £22.5bn. Soaring costs of UK’s Hinkley Point C nuclear project, and other nuclear plans, while renewables get cheaper.
• Sizewell nuclear planning application should be rejected until coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted.  Sizewell C nuclear project now becoming prohibitively expensive? Government-owned Chinese company wants to build Sizewell nuclear plant.   Chinese involvement in Sizewell nuclear plant the ‘next Huawei.  Is it in the national interest?
• Opposition to unnecessary, environmentally destructive Sizewell nuclear project .  Wildlife charities unite to oppose Sizewell C nuclear power station.  UK’s National Trust says new Sizewell C nuclear power station poses threat to rare birds.
• Chinese nuclear reactors for Bradwell.
• UK’s new nuclear plants – nearly all parts are sourced and/or funded from China and France.   Bankrupt French company AREVA, now resuscitated as Framatome to engineer UK’s nuclear fleet.
• Nationally important – to stop the dumping of radioactive mud off Cardiff coast.

JAPAN. Green light for Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant, but is it viable?  Coronavirus pandemic hampers Japan’s nuclear regulators’ probe into Fukushima disaster.

FRANCE.  Resistance developing to EDF’s plan to store nuclear waste at Belleville-sur-Loire. Safety lapses at France’s nuclear reactors, new delays at EDF’s Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor .  Radioactive pollution at the Bugey nuclear power plant in France : EDF condemned.  Court set-back to France’s EDF nuclear supply contracts.

IRAN. Iran tops the list of countries which accepted inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2019.     Britain, France, Germany not happy that USA will end waivers for Iran civilian nuclear projects .  Iran envoy says that Trump has pulled the final plug in violating nuclear deal. Trump administration to remove almost all sanctions relief to Iran.

CHINA. The way that China plans its nuclear weapons strategy.

UKRAINE.  Ex-president Kravchuk estimates compensation for Ukraine’s nuclear weapons at US$250 bln.

FIJI. Fiji ratifies the TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

AUSTRALIA. Australian nuclear dump decision trashes indigenous peoples’ rights. The Australian government has officially given up on climate action.

June 1, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week’s nuclear and climate news

Can’t keep up with the pandemic news – I hope you can.

One thing, though. Beyond Nuclear has pointed out the significance of the floods in Midland, Michigan, where they do have one nuclear research reactor, but fortunately no commercial ones.  They warn on ” the almost impossible challenge of evacuating people to safety during simultaneous catastrophic events.” The floods bring together the climate, pandemic, and nuclear dangers all in one area.

Public attention is not on this one. BUT, the 2020 Review Conference of a landmark international treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), is due soon, though postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is also at risk.  It’s under the radar, while everyone worries about COVID-19 and climate, – but the danger of nuclear weapons use is escalating, as Donald Trump unravels the treaty system that is aimed at preventing nuclear war.  He also wants USA to hugely increase its nuclear weaponry.

Some bits of good news – Maasai Nature Conservancy Asks For Help To Fight Pandemic—And 100,000 People Answer.  World’s Most Endangered Primate Population Triples After 17 Years of Careful Conservation

A moment of reckoning – when coronavirus meets climate change.  Coronavirus: How to prevent a new nuclear arms race – and future pandemics.

Australia, and other countries – deaths from global heatinge are being underestimated

The danger to children of low level nuclear radiation has been underestimated.

The international nuclear weapons race.  Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty at risk, due to Donald Trump’s accusations ?

ANTARCTIC. Antarctic krill threatened by warming waters – climate change’s danger to the marine ecosystem.

UK. Ministry of Defence’s poor management of contracts for nuclear infrastructure projects. Sellafield’s safety dilemma– risk of coronavirus versus risk of nuclear accident.   Britain will have to decide whether it wants nuclear power stations funded — and powered — by China. Doubts on the funding of Britain’s £18bn Sizewell nuclear plan.  Move to prevent dumping of Hinkley radioactive mud on the South Wales coast.  Shinfield residents urged to look out for update from nuclear weapons facility.

JAPAN.  Time that Japan faced up to the folly of its nuclear fuel cycle dream.

NORTH KOREA. Kim Jong-un Moves to Increase North Korea’s Nuclear Strength.

USA.

• USA’s Plan to spend Russia and China ‘into oblivion’ in arms race will bankrupt only America. Trump Administration Weighs First Nuclear Test in Decades.  USA wants thousands of Hypersonic Missiles, using artificial intelligence. USA’s F-35’s Nuclear Weapons Upgrade Delayed as Program Costs Top $1.6 Trillion. Coronavirus likely to put a dint in USA’s nuclear weapons spending.
• U.S. Unprepared for Nuclear Accident During Pandemic.
• The flooding danger to nuclear radioactive sites –Michigan dams fail.
• More about dirty nuclear tricks in Ohio.
• President Donald Trump and his administration have no plans to use Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository.
• COVID-19 in worker at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant.
• Over 120 local and national organizations urge U.S. Congress to help nuclear frontline communities.  Coalition pursues extra $7.25B for DOE nuclear cleanup, job creation.
• Removal of Fort Belvoir’s SM-1 nuclear reactor to proceed after Army finalizes environmental assessment.
• US Congressman Engel Suggests Saudi Arms Sales Behind Firing of State Dept. Watchdog .

EUROPE. A mistaken idea, to put U.S. nuclear weapons in Poland.

INDIA. Climate: Cyclone Amphan disaster in India, Bangladesh.

SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia’s push for nuclear power – a nuclear weapons danger.

CANADA. Bruce Power and the Ontario Government ordered come clean on the cost of nuclear power.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea risk of power disruption, as nuclear spent fuel builds up, with storage shortage.

NORWAY.  Dismantling of Norway’s nuclear research reactors – up to 25 years, about $billion

AUSTRALIA. Misleading and inaccurate information provided by authorities on National Radioactive Waste Management. Australian Law on radioactive waste to be changed in order to prevent any judicial review!.

May 25, 2020 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment