nuclear-news

The week in climate and nuclear news

In our anglophone world, it doesn’t seem to matter that much, when floods  hit Asian countries. But USA?  That’s different. As I write, Hurricane Harvey is hitting Texas. Well, they’ve had hurricanes before, but climate change just makes them that much more severe.

I fear that we are all getting “nuclear-crisis-North-Korea-fatigue”. A pity, as North Korea and USA continue to ramp up the nuclear ante.

CLIMATE. Climate change threat: ALASKA’S PERMAFROST IS THAWING–   Coral bleaching is happening across the Pacific Ocean.  For the first time, tanker crosses the Arctic without icebreaker.  Investment fund company Vanguard calls for climate change risk disclosures.  Omigawd! Climate Change is messing up our wine supply!

NUCLEAR.    Ionizing radiation: Radiation protection standards need to be improved.    Women seen as powerful advocates for the nuclear lobby.

KOREAN PENINSULA. As USA and South Korea hold military exercises on Korean peninsula, Russia flies nuclear bombers around the peninsula. Clarifying the facts on North Korea. -Head of the U.S. military’s Pacific Command says diplomacy — not military action, is the answer to North Korea crisis. South Korean President Moon Jae-in warns USA against military action on North Korea.

USA.  Nuclear  

• Donald Trump ready to use ‘full range of capabilities’ against North Korea, says US ambassador.   “There’s no military solution [to North Korea’s nuclear threats], forget it – Steve Bannon. Trump preoccupied with the idea of nuclear annihilation, but knows little about nuclear weapons.
• Trump planning to decertify Iran’s compliance with the international nuclear deal?
•  Lockheed, Raytheon winning companies [Trump has shares] to start USA’s $1.46 trillion missile spend-up.
• USA’s Dept of Energy gives Rick Perry the pro coal pro nuclear report that he wanted.
• Trump’s dangerous use of Twitter – prompts a move to buy Twitter, and ban Trump’s tweets.
• For the first time, the nuclear lobby states the essential role of ‘peaceful’ nuclear energy in nuclear weapons making. –
• The State, South Carolina, names the people who brought on the nuclear power fiasco.- Despite the financial fiasco, nuclear executives busily planning for more bonuses.– It would take a miracle to salvage South Carolina’s abandoned nuclear power projects. -Nuclear industry just haemorrhaging money.– -Ohio Governor Not Backing Bailout for State’s Nuclear Plants.
•  Hanford nuclear site – a rich source of comedy for John Oliver.

USA.Climate.   The Trump Southeastern States will cop the hardest costs of climate change. No free speech in Trump’s America when it comes to climate research. – Exxon Mobil misrepresented climate change to deliberately mislead the public. -America’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has deleted references to climate change from its site. America’s federal advisory committee on climate change abolished by Trump!

INDIA. Massive protest : thousands against French Nuclear Project in Jaitapur.

JAPAN. Another $5bn US suit against TEPCO over Fukushima nuclear disaster. Japan’s Lobbying to Export Fukushima Produce. -Fukushima ice wall facing doubts as project nears completion. Fukushima aftermath: General Electric and Tokyo Electric Power Co sued by Navy families for wrongful death.

RUSSIA.  Mysterious forest explosion a year ago- now revealed to have been a failed Russian missile launch.  Russia’s Rosatom buying into the wind energy business in India, as well as in Netherlands.

INDONESIA. “Dirty radioactive bomb” planned for attack in Indonesia – using THORIUM

IRAN.   Iran fully compliant with its obligations under the nuclear agreement.   Inaccurate translations in media increase tensions between Iran and USA.

MARSHALL ISLANDS. Remembering Tony de Brum.

UK. UK Royal Navy detonates the second bomb found in the sea near Hinkley Point.  Concern over dangers of nuclear bombs transport across Britain.  Vast majority of UK accept climate change is real, finds new poll.

August 26, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week that has been: nuclear and climate news to 19 August

Things would appear to have calmed down in the North Korea nuclear situation, with some positive signs. Unfortunately the USA does not grasp China’s point of view.-In order to defy Trump, Kim Jong-un will probably target waters near Guam. -USA defence chiefs insist that a military action is an option. Most Americans are anxious about President Trump’s ability to handle the situation.

Richard Heinberg of the Post Carbon Institute argues that endless growth, not just climate change, is the world’s biggest problem, and that  technology will not save us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALugeRQbXAM

CLIMATE.Climate change’s effects. You can’t pinpoint events as definitely caused by global warming. Environmental disasters have always happened. With climate change, they are happening more often, and more severely.  This week, killer landslides in  Sierra Leone,  in Northeast Congo, in Northern India. -Climate change is drowning the Solomon Islands.

NUCLEAR–   Pledge for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.   China’s more rational response to the North Korean situation.

Iodine-129 waste used to track ocean currents for 15,000 km after discharge from nuclear plants.

Cancer and other health problems still being caused because of past nuclear explosions.  Linear accelerators – a much safer way to obtain medical isotopes, than from nuclear reactors.

ASIA. Another big nuclear problem in Asia – accumulation of plutonium.

ANTARCTICA. Beneath Antarctica’s ice, 91 previously unknown volcanoes have been found. Stability of East Antarctic ice sheet, even if western ice sheet melts (bit of good news, for a change)

CANADA. Area Burned in Severe Northwest Territory Wildfires Doubles in Just One Day.

JAPAN.  Japan’s massive accumulation of nuclear weapons-usable plutonium.

Fukushima. Report: 257 Tons of Corium and 180 Million Curies of Deadly Heavy Metal Poison and Radiation Released From Fukushima. -High-priced Fukushima ice wall nears completion, but effectiveness doubtful.

USA. USA brain drain, as climate scientists take up the invitation from France.  California Scientists Push to Create Massive Climate Research Program. – Trump uses executive order to reverse Obama-era order aimed at planning for climate change.  Increase in harmful algal blooms in U.S. freshwaters due to climate change.

Americans are disturbingly unbothered by the idea of striking first with nuclear weapons. The weapons industry is polluting America’s environment – Potomac River as an example. USA power utilities have a long history of abandoning nuclear projects – Florida ratepayers could be up for $millions for two nuclear reactors that may never be built. South Carolina nuclear power backers push for tax-payer aid. Risky venture for Utah counties? will they gamble on speculative thorium nuclear venture? Pennsylvania to give out potassium tablets to communities near nuclear power stations.

SOUTH AFRICA. In South Africa, nuclear and coal lobbies wage a (losing) war against renewables.

IRAN. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani calls on European Union to actively support Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear treaty. If USA imposes new sanctions, Iran could abandon the nuclear agreement.

RUSSIA. First load of nuclear waste from Andreeva Bay, Norway,  arrives in Mayak.

FRANCE.French nuclear regulator ASN makes EDF review all nuclear components made by Areva’s foundry Creusot Forge.

UK. BBC gives platform for climate sceptic Nigel Lawson to spout anti science. Global temperatures really have risen- climate denialist Nigel Lawson admits.  Energy sector impacted by Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

INDIA. India’s Adani mining giant accused of corruption just as it seeks funds from the Australian government for coal mine.

August 19, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To 14 August – nuclear and climate news

Some puzzlement. North Korea threatens to fire intermediate-range ballistic missiles into waters NEAR Guam. USA and its deputy sheriff Australia see this as an attack ON Guam. Kim Jong Un might not be  a very nice man. But he’s not mad. He saw what happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and Gaddafi in Libya, seeing that they didn’t have nuclear weapons. As for Trump – a narcissistic sociopath who delights in his own unpredictability – who knows what he might do?

A great pity that the very real global crisis of climate change is now taking a media back seat to the  USA-North Korea tensions.

I’m  attaching a picture this time – surely the saddest image from the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. A boy standing at rigid attention with the dead body of his infant brother strapped to his back at a crematorium in Nagasaki . Photographer Joe  O’Donnell recalled that the boy stared motionless as bodies were being burned and he awaited his turn. He also noticed that the boy’s lips were caked with blood because he was biting them so hard, although no blood spilled.

NUCLEAR. Can Donald Trump be prevented from plunging the world into nuclear war?

Donald Trump: USA ready to act militarily against North Korea: Merkel calls for de-escalation of the rhetoric.

Risk of US-N.Korea nuclear war increases, but is still unlikely.

China confident about new sanctions on North Korea: Trump prepared for “preventive war”

CLIMATE. The human effect – as New York and other cities become climate changed sweltering hotspots.

Temperatures of 55°C to emerge if global warming continues. By the end of the century, extreme weather could kill 150,000 people each year in Europe. No Climate Money for Nuclear Power.

USA – Climate 

• Fearsome climate prospect. Will Trump administration suppress a major federal climate change report?  
• Trump administration formally withdraws from climate agreement, aims to expand fossil fuel industries. USA Congress going all out to make Trump’s anti-climate orders become the law. – Aware that Donald Trump might suppress this climate change report, scientists release the draft for public information. –
• U.S Government employees ordered not to use certain words, especially “climate change”
•  Fossil fuel industries funded climate denial as a religious belief.  
• Smoke Blankets Western North America, 106 F Temps in Portland, Flash Northern Plains Drought Threatens U.S. Wheat Crop. Smoke from British Columbia temporarily masking heat to Southern USA States.

USA – Nuclear

• USA can learn to live with North Korea as a nuclear weapons state 
• Hacking could be the biggest risk of all for nuclear reactors.
• South Carolina electricity customers left holding the bill for abandoned nuclear reactors.   USA’s huge nuclear project failed, but top executives got $millions in bonuses!
• Workers’ health at risk at Idaho nuclear lab.
• Poor future for many decades for New Generation Nuclear Reactors.
• Dispelling the myths about U.S. President Harry Truman’s decision to nuclear bomb Japanese cities.

NORTH KOREA. A North Korean miniaturised hydrogen bomb would change everything. New UN sanctions on North Korea: US, South Korea pleased, China is wary.

JAPAN.Hiroshima’s mayor urges that Japan join the UN nuclear weapons ban: PM Abe toes the USA line on keeping nuclear weapons.    Mayor Remembers Nuclear Bombing of Nagasaki; Calls For Nuclear Disarmament; Stands with Fukushima Victims.  Ibaraki Governor vows not to allow restart of Tokai No. 2 nuclear plant.   Radioactive Hot Particles in Japan: Full Radiation Risks not Recorded  . 1,700 Contaminated Vehicles Removed from Fukushima Daiichi Plant Site. Unexploded bomb found at Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant

IRAN. It’s up to Europe to save the nuclear agreement withIran

August 14, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

This week Hiroshima Day August 6th, and the nuclear/climatenews

A survivor of the atomic bombings in 1945 remarked, “This pain that we carry, let it end with us.” As memorials are held, in Japan,  in UK,  and around the world, there is hope for an end to nuclear weapons, as the UN Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty is developed.

On climate, there’s a gradual realisation that it is still worth fighting climate change: but catastrophic change might be inevitable.

On nuclear – well – things are grim for the nuclear industry, with the abandoning of 2 reactors being developed in South Carolina – after $9 billion already spent on them, just about the last straw following the Westinghouse bankruptcy, the French and Finnish nuclear build problems, and Britain’s dubious Hinkley and Moorside projects.

To deal with global threats, public awareness must be raised – Ralph Nader.

What about an illegal order to fire a nuclear weapon? Must the military obey?

Al Gore on the desperate need to act on climate change—and fast.  “Biological Annihilation” – global warming’s effect on plant and animal species. “Ghost forests” increasing now, due to climate change and rising seas.  Effects of heat – and climate change – on air travel.     Global ocean circulation appears to be slowing due to global warming. Climate change induced air pollution. Methods of climate geoengineering.

JAPAN.  

• Hiroshima, Nagasaki mayors to urge government to act on nuke ban treaty.   On Hiroshima Day, Greenpeace Japan strengthens its support for the UN nuclear weapons ban.
•  METI Releases Map of suitable nuclear waste disposal sites.
• Toshiba’s nuclear problems result in demotion by Tokyo Stock Exchange, possible delistment.    Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) buying into failed French nuclear company AREVA.
• Fukushima. Study: Radioactive Hot Particles Still Afloat Throughout Japan Six Year After Fukushima Meltdowns.   New Study Shows Full Radiation Risks Are Not Recorded.  No human rights in terrifyingly contaminated Namie in Fukushima.    Installation of Unit 3 fuel removal cover dome roof at Fukushima Daiichi.

EUROPE. Swiss Alps: global warming is revealing long-frozen bodies of lost travellers.

KUWAIT. Kuwait getting right out of nuclear investment, as it sells shares in the beleagured AREVA group

CANADA. Wildfires continue in Canada: more than 1 million acres burned so far.

USA – Nuclear

• What is USA’s policy on North Korea? Trump’s version, or State Scretary Tillerson’s version? Trump prepared for war against North Korea: “thousands will die over there: not here in USA” Trump’s new sanctions on Iran are designed to derail nuclear deal.
• Nuclear power is just not economic: the demise of VC Summer heralds its end.  Abandonment of America’s last nuclear project in South Carolina. SCE and G customers will continue paying for nuke project, even though it won’t be built.  South Carolina legislators want refunds from scrapped nuclear power project.
• Astonishingly secretive process – New York’s very costly nuclear bailout.
• Piketon’s village government opposes USA D4pt of Energy’s plans for radioactive waste dump.
• Hanford workers inhaled radioactive plutonium – new tests show.
• Negligent packaging and transport of radioactive materials by U.S nuclear labs.  USA EPA pledges to clean up thorium contaminated Ridgewood site. Another lot of faked nuclear power test results at Vt Yankee.
• More USA tax-payer funding for gimmicky “new nukes”.

Climate denial in charge in USA government.  Workers in Southern USA States now facing climate change health hazards– State of California aims for 100% renewable energy by 2045

IRAN. As President Rouhani starts a new term, Iran says US breaching nuclear deal.

UK. Serious consequences for Britain, especially its nuclear industry, if Britain leaves Euratom.  UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) fails to produce a plan for dealing with high activity radioactive waste.

ASIA.  The role of climate change in decline of one of Asia’s most critical water resources.  In remote Asia, solar power is transforming the lives of women.

INDIA. Levels of humid heat will kill millions, if warming is not tackled. Many thousands of suicides in India – linked to climate change.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korean President Details Phase-out of Coal, Nuclear Power .

CHINA. Future of China’s nuclear export industry in doubt.

UKRAINE. Radioactive tourism in Ukraine.

August 6, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 2 Comments

The past week in climate and nuclear news

On CLIMATE the situation is eerie. Technogeeks are exploring geoengineering ways to cool the planet. Some journalists – New York’s David Wallace Wells, Slate’s Tommy Lynch, predict an uninhabitable Earth, and warn that we are not alarmed enough.

The general media inform us of greatly increased wildfires, (Europe),  (USA), floods, (India)(Germany), droughts, (USA), (Italy) . These news items whisk away under the relentless hurricane news of celebrities, sport, and Trump’s latest absurdities.

On NUCLEAR it would seem few immediate events are happening. However,important issues are being explored. Investigative journalism lives!

• Sick nuclear workers die as USA Labor Department delays compensation as long as possible.
• Nuclear danger as Trump government guts science removes Department of Energy’s skilled personnel
• and this beautifully written story on the continuing danger of the underground fire and nuclear waste at St Louis, Missouri.

Catholic Church organising to support UN nuclear weapons ban.  Cybersecurity researchers warn that nuclear power stations are vulnerable to hackers and terrorists.

Impact of Environmental Change on Human Security  – climate refugees.   NASA monitors Arctic sea ice loss. Plans for technology to remove CO2 from air.  Artificially cooling planet Earth by thinning cirrus clouds. 100 Fossil Fuel Companies Responsible for 71 Percent of Carbon Emissions Since 1988 — And They’re Being Sued For it.

EUROPE. European Heat, Drought, Fires Bite Deep as 1 Million Impacted by Water Rationing in Rome. European Commission wants Czech Republic to deal with its nuclear waste backlog.

JAPAN.

• Increases in perinatal mortality in prefectures contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan.  Radioactive cesium detected in the urine of 100 children after the catastrophic accident of TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
• Government selects hundreds of coastal sites as potentially suitable for radioactive trash dumps
•  Tokyo 2020 Olympic Fukushima fallacies and fallout. Likely Melted Fuel Heap Found Inside Fukushima Daiichi’s Reactor 3 Shows Future Removing Difficulties.  Tepco not likely to meet the estimated $192.5 Billion cost of the Fukushima nuclear clean-up.

RUSSIA.  Russia decides to fuel floating nuclear plant in Murmansk, following pressure from Norway. Russia provides $70 billions to countries in its nuclear marketing drive.

USA.

• American new sanctions against Iran – designed to kill off the nuclear agreement.
• Trump picks an advocate of pre-emptive nuclear strike for his defense team.  Hawaii’s preparations for a North Korea nuclear attack.  USA’s Land-Based Nuclear Missiles simply not financially or politically sustainable.
• USA government in confusion over funding of MOX plutonium nuclear facility. Lawsuit aims to stop construction of the problem-plagued Uranium Processing Facility (UPF).
• New York’s nuclear power subsidies upheld by judge.
•  USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) OK’s Storage of Nuclear Waste Below Miami’s Drinking Water.
•  Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) won’t save the industry.
• Donald Trump’s attack on science and public health.
• Dopey U.S. energy secretary
• Rick Perry fooled by Russian comedians.Legal cases – suing fossil fuel firms over rising sea levels.

IRAN. Iran refrains from being drawn into a row, by USA’s new sanctions slapped on Iran.

IRAQ. In Mosul, ISIS nearly had the means to make a radioactive “dirty bomb”.

UK. Serious doubts about UK’s Trident nuclear plan – problems not “manageable or resolvable.”  Inquiry into Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)’s spending, held behind closed doors.  Unexpected release from gaol of 2 UK peace campaigners.

GREENLAND. Greenland ice sheet might start to melt “faster and faster”.

UKRAINE. Ukraine’s dangerous nuclear industry: theft of 100s of containers with radioactive materials.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea to move away from nuclear power – but still wants to sell nukes overseas!

CHINA. China’s marketing strategy – Poland and Britain as springboards for China’s nuclear marketing.

INDIA. Indian State Government hands over land for nuclear development, displacing 2,200 families.

ISRAEL.  Israel STILL punishing nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu.

July 29, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The week to July 21 in climate and nuclear news

I am wondering if those who read this newsletter, (and many other people, too) are getting “climate change fatigue”.

“Nuclear fatigue” too, perhaps. Still, on the nuclear scene, nothing dramatic seems to be happening this week. Nevertheless, a bit like climate change, nuclear pollution is something that continues to creep up on the unaware world. Investigative journalism still lives: a new report tells of vast areas of America’s land poisoned by mismanagement of military wastes

Not a good time to give up on reading about climate change, with the current debate on Is the Climate Emergency Just a Big Problem, or is it a Catastrophe?

CLIMATE  We Still Have Time to Restore Our Climate. But the Climate Time Bomb Is Ticking.Prof James Hansen warns on sea level rise: Earth could become ‘practically ungovernable’. Methane from thawing permafrost could be increasing the rate of global warming. $530 trillion costs for the future, if no effective action on climate change. Global Sea Ice Coverage Has Fallen Off a Cliff — Impacts Likely to Be Wide-Ranging.

NUCLEAR.  Will Small Nuclear Reactors be the great white hope for the ailing nuclear industry? Probably not.

EUROPE. Drought ravages South Europe crops.

CANADA. Huge wildfires again in Canada – 1000s forced to evacuate.

JAPAN.  Japan map showing potential nuclear waste disposal sites to be released  Japan’s government planning protection in fear of radioactive terrorism at 2020 Olympics.  Fukushima Radiation and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Japan’s local authorities want security measures: nuclear reactors a target for military or terrorists.

Fukushima. 5.8 M Quake Near Ongoing Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Site; Torrential Rains; Threats Of Increased Dumping of Radioactive Water to the Pacific. Underwater Robot Begins Probing Fukushima Daiichi’s No. 3 reactor. Will Tepco Dump 770,000 tons of Tritiated Water Into the Pacific Ocean?

FRANCE. Hot weather causes France to cut nuclear power output: (climate change is not good for nuclear reactors)  Europe’s struggle to find a solution to nuclear waste disposal.

UK.

•  Geoffrey Robertson puts the legal and moral case for phasing out Britain’s Trident nuclear deterrent. Veteran British anti nuclear campaigners gaoled.
• UK’s nuclear clean-up to cost £119 billion and take 120 years.
• UK threatens to return radioactive waste to EU without nuclear deal. UK Parliament select committee to inquire into government’s plans to leave Euratom.
• Inconvenient financial facts about Britain’s Hinkley Point C nuclear station – cost to cosumers rising to £50 billion? If Britain’s Hinkley nuclear project is cancelled, Britain would have to pay around £22bn to France’s EDF.

USA.

• Donald Trump will not be able to make the Iran nuclear deal fail – yet.   America’s intended new sanctions on Iran may violate the nuclear agreement.
•  Marshallese people evacuated from their islands now face harsh situation in Oklahoma.
• Chicago at last to clean up its radioactive thorium pollution.
• USA govt funding Westinghouse and universities to advance nuclear innovation.
• Donald Trump’s policies mean serious damage to climate science research. Climate change is a ‘Direct Threat’ to Security says USA’s Republican dominated Congress
• NASA to develop nuclear power on Mars.

IRAN. The Iran nuclear deal is working.

GERMANY. Nuclear and Renewable power really don’t work well together

SOUTH AFRICA. On Mandela Day, South Africa’s anti nuclear movement pledges to stop the government’s nuclear plans.

INDIA. Villagers protest, and stop drilling work for proposed nuclear power plant in Chutka, India.

July 21, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Climate/nuclear news – the week to 15 July

It’s a toss-up as to which issue is now the most critical – climate change or nuclear war danger. I’m inclined to think – climate change. Some, like Paul Beckwith, Canadian Climate System Scientist, say that abrupt climate change is already with us, and drastic emergency measures are needed. Others are very concerned, pointing out severe problems – e,g today’s news – Asia faces climate change disaster.

On the nuclear scene, the world could be teetering at the brink of nuclear war, with North Korea ramping up its nuclear weapons, and Donald Trump tweeting belligerently.when what is needed is some new strategic foreign policy thinking

Atmospheric CO2 Continuing to Increase.

No choice really, but to learn to live with a North Korean ICBM.

Ionising radiation’s cancer effect far greater in females than in males.

Bunkers for the filthy rich: income inequality would continue after a nuclear apocalypse.

The international nuclear industry in financial meltdown.

ANTARCTICA. Huge iceberg breaks away from Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica.

AFRICA. Climate change affecting huge numbers of children in Africa.

EUROPE. Yet again, hope for nuclear fusion pushed into the distant future.

USA.   Climate change: clear split between USA and everyone else at G20.    Massive Wildfires Burn From California to the Arctic Ocean as Temperature Records Shatter.   USA Congress supports Department of Defense policy for action on climate change. Questions on safety of USA nuclear stations, risks of cyber attacks.Senator Edward Markey calls for U.S. govt to reveal details of nuclear plant cyber attacks.Hanford to use air surveillance to track down underground radioactive hotspots  Thorium contamination the likely cause of radioactive pollution at Missouri landfill. Thyroid cancer incidence greater in counties near to Three Mile Island nuclear accident.

UK.   UK government’s issues paper on its position regarding Euratom. The nuclear problem of Euratom has the potential to derail Britain’s “Brexit”.  Legal wrangle looms over British or EU responsibility for nuclear fuel and wastes.   UK’s soaring solar energy capacity – could go even higher with consumers becoming “prosumers”.

JAPAN.  Small head size and delayed body weight growth in wild Japanese monkey fetuses after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.    Fishermen express fury as Fukushima plant set to release radioactive material into ocean. TEPCO chair: Nuclear plant must release contaminated water.

Japan now hoping to export Renewable Energy Technology.

FRANCE.  France’s EDF might have to shut down 17 nuclear reactors.   French government spends €2.0 billion and then €2.5 billion – steps in restructuring near bankrupt nuclear corporation AREVA.

IRAN. It is reported that Donald Trump will say Iran complying with nuclear deal.

RUSSIA. Russia enthusiastically marketing latest third-generation nuclear reactors to India.

NORTH KOREA. USA-South Korea bombing drill on the Korean peninsula angers North Korea.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s nuclear export plans may now be in doubt.

KAZAKHSTAN IAEA’s Uranium bank in Kazakhstan likely to never have any customers.

JORDAN. Solar power at Azraq refugee camp– provided by UNHCR and Jordan govt.

July 15, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | 1 Comment

Roundup of the week’s nuclear and climate news

At the G20 meeting of 19 wealthy nations plus the European Union, in Germany, G20 President  Angela Merkel planned for discussion of Africa and health to be a high priority. This is now overtaken by the concern over North Korea’s latest test – of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

Equally important, negotiators representing two-thirds of the 192-member United Nations  finalised   the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons this week after months of talks.

On climate change, at G20 the growing international isolation of the United States under President Trump was starkly apparent, with almost unanimous opposition to Trump’s climate lack of policy. Meanwhile, a 2018 global summit on climate change is planned, led by California Governor Jerry Brown, -as the Donald Trump administration becomes rather irrelevant to international climate action.

Where will climate refugees find shelter and food?

Amid the escalating tension between USA and North Korea, calm calls for Engagement and Dialogue. Donald Trump has few real options in dealing with North Korea. Russia and China propose negotiation .

Global Covenant of Mayors to fight climate change.

Lithium use in batteries booming – need for recycling, and environmental protection

USA. 

• New survey on American attitudes to climate change: majority agree on human caused changes.. Trump’s Climate Policies leading planet to irreversible climate disaster  -Stephen Hawking. All staff have now left science division of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology. United States got more electricity from renewable sources than from nuclear power in March and April.
•  Nuclear facilities targeted by hackers – say USA Homeland Security Dept. and F.B.I.
• Radioactive pollution “flowing freely” into the Columbia River, from the decommissioned Hanford nuclear facility.
• Nevada ready for the legal battle against Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump plan.
• NASA spending $millions on plan for nuclear reactors on Mars.  NASA funding project for nuclear-powered travel to Mars.
• Watts Bar 2 nuclear power unit shut down after just 5 months in operation.
• US federal report that another Hanford radioactive waste tunnel has structural problems .
• Costs and dangers in “temporary” storage of San Onofre and others’ nuclear wastes

CHINA. China calls for calm and restraint on North Korea.

RUSSIA. 

• Russia test-fires cruise missile from nuclear submarine in Barents Sea.
• With international help, Russia starts to clean up Andreyeva Bay radioactive trash.
• Russia’s global nuclear marketing falters: Rosatom switches attention to renewable energy.   Russia now slowing down its plans for development in the Arctic,   Nuclear marketing agreement between Russia and Vietnam, (but Vietnam turning away from nuclear)

JAPAN. Trial of former Tepco executives over 2011 disaster. Costs of building Rokkasho nuclear fuel reprocessing plant now 4 times greater.

FRANCE. France plans to cut nuclear power’s share of electricity from 75% to 50% by 2025. Sixth MOX nuclear shipment leaves France for Japan.

UKRAINE. Forest fire near Chernobyl Nuclear Plant.

AUSTRALIA. South Australia: Tesla to supply world’s biggest battery

July 8, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Climate and nuclear news this week

From the news media, you would hardly know it, but two big international meetings are happening. In New York,  delegations from more than 130 States are working  to finalize the text  for the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons”.  In Hamburg, the G20 summit is about to be held, with climate change as a central issue. Meanwhile, as I write, the “important”  news item is, as usual, occupied by Donald Trump, who apparently has tweeted rudely, again – ho hum.

A warning from climate experts – just 3 years left to start real action against climate change.

Investigative journalism lives!  The Center for Public Integrity’s Nuclear Negligence examines safety weaknesses at U.S. nuclear weapon sites operated by corporate contractors.

G20 summit July 7-8. Paris climate deal is ‘non negotiable‘- Angela Merkel.

Sea-Level Rise: Bubble, Bubble, GigaTons of Methane Trouble -Paul Beckwith.  Global Warming Effects Map – Effects of Global Warming.  Climate change refugee numbers – 2 billion by 2100?

UKRAINE Cyber attack knocks out the radiation monitoring system of Chernobyl nuclear plant.

GREENLAND. Greenland ice melting – a big contributor to sea level rise.

EUROPE. Three European nations spanned in human chain demanding closure of Belgian nuclear reactors.

USA.

• A U.S. business nuclear network hacked: this could lead to more serious nuclear risks.
• Ex-nuclear commanders from around the world urge Trump towards talks with North Korea, not military action.
• Nuclear catastrophe narrowly avoided at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Nuclear weapons industry – profits and the health toll.
• SA White House in discussions with bankrupt Westinghouse nuclear – may provide tax-payer support.
• Troubled SCE and G, Santee Cooper nuclear project could soon be scrapped  
• Trump’s plans for nuclear revival amount to “only a study”: funding cut, including for small reactors.
• In uranium market’s permanent downhill slide, companies beg for tax-payers to rescue them.
• Havasupai – “people of the blue-green waters” fighting uranium mining around Grand Canyon.
• Judge rules against companies wanting to store plutonium on New Mexico-Texas border.
•  Trump taking America backwards – the opposite of “energy dominance”.
• Fear and Loathing Within America’s Environmental Protection Agency.
• The promise of 100 Percent Renewable Energy Grid could soon be realised.

UK. UK govt has set up a new team to plan UK’s withdrawal from Euratom.  Financial problems for Britain’s nuclear power projects.  South Korea’s Kepco would rescue Britain’s Moorside nuclear project, but only with its own reactors.  Bradwell nuclear wastes reclassified as “low level”: failed technology now used for disposal. Hackers trading passwords used by managers at British nuclear power plants. Britain’s Hinkley Point nuclear project to cost billions more than was forecast.

JAPAN. Former Nuclear Power Plant Executives to Stand Trial for the Fukushima Disaster and the Deaths of Over 40 People.

INDIA. 37 sites close, as world’s largest coal company winds down. Low morale in India’s nuclear industry: exodus of scientists.

FRANCE.  Activists halted nuclear waste ship for several hours.   Flamanville nuclear reactor 3 likely to go ahead, despite weak spots in its steel. French Nuclear regulator requires more inspections of Flamanville EPR reactor pressure vessel anomaly.

SOUTH KOREA. Fall in South Korea’s nuclear shares. Kepco not now likely to buy out bankrupt Westinghouse nuclear. South Korea  suspends construction of 2 nuclear reactors.

RUSSIA. Russia’s fears of nuclear war: underground bunkers prepared. Russia’s nuclear marketing may create unhealthy dependency in Middle East nations.

GERMANY. “There’s more value today in helping reduce consumption than in selling energy itself”.

CHINA. China “looks to small nuclear reactors” – but it’s not really a very good look.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s govt and nuclear power utility Eskom undermine renewable energy development.

AUSTRALIA. Karina Lester tells the Anangu story, and of the Aboriginal fight against nuclear waste dumping.

IRAN. Donald Trump leads the world to war against Iran.

CZECH REPUBLIC. Angry reaction to nuclear power plant’s bikini contest for selecting female interns.

June 30, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Frogs WILL get out of hot water – humans apparently NOT

It’s a myth that frogs will stay in water that slowly heats, until they die.  In reality, they will try to get out, as soon as the temperature becomes uncomfortable. Right now, homo sapiens is dreaming on, in our warming world, as climate change gets to crisis stage. Computer models were showing the coming impacts of climate change: now real life events show them.

This newsletter, and websites, were intended to promote the nuclear-free movement. They still are, but (except for the threat of nuclear war), the global climate emergency is now the most pressing issue. The Guardian has this week shown how some areas are especially threatened: – in Spain, Bangladesh , Malawi, Norway, Brazil,  New York, Philippines.

UN Human Rights Council on protection of human rights from the impacts of climate change: even USA is supportive.  Research on climate change and migration.

Worrying climate news, as a huge ice shelf melts, in Antarctica.

Second round of UN nuclear ban talks begins in New York.  Global Collaboration Towards a Legally Binding Ban on Nuclear Weapons.Radiation research foundation to apologize for studying but not treating hibakusha, A-bomb survivors submit petition for nuclear ban.

PORTUGAL. Climate change, and Portugal’s deadly fires.

USA. Airplanes grounded because of heatwave. Climate Change Is Shrinking the Colorado River.

• Probe into Michael Flynn’s quiet trips involved in $100 billion nuclear energy plan with Russia and Saudi Arabia.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory’s poor handling of plutonium rods – near disaster.
• US federal cutbacks mean closure of  Manhattan Radiation-Detection Lab.
• USA Appeals Court rules that sailors affected by Fukushima radiation can sue Japanese govt and Tokyo Electric Power Co.Veterans top be represented by former Senator John Edwards.
• Strong reaction by Nevada against Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s push for Yucca Mt nuclear waste dump.  Energy Secretary Perry quickly backtracks on statement about Yucca nuclear waste dump plan. Washington subcommittee passes bill on licensing Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site in Nevada. Nevada files lawsuit against Texas over moves toward licensing Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste dump.
•  USA Energy Secretary Rick Perry will push for ‘new nukes’ -Small Modular Reactors.
• USA Congress move to widen nuclear tax credit access and remove the 2020 deadline for the credits.
• Critics call for an end to $14 billion South Carolina nuclear plant project.

RUSSIA.  Russia angered by Nato surrounding Baltic fleet in Kaliningrad- unprecedented war games.  Ever increasing piles of toxic Russian radioactive trash – a challenge for Norway and Russia to clean up. As the global renewable energy transition speeds up, Russia gambles on nuclear energy. Russia holds AtomExpo – a triumph of nuclear marketing.  Rosatom’s plans to DEVELOP NUCLEAR CLUSTER IN SOUTH AFRICA .

UK.  Bank of England to probe banks’ exposure to climate change.  Brexit brings Britain’s nuclear industry to a “cliff edge”.   Wylfa nuclear power project threatens the biodiversity of North Wales nature reserve.   National Audit Office considers Hinkley Point C nuclear power plan ‘risky and expensive’.  Should British tax-payers cough up for both Hinkley and Wylfa nuclear power boondoggles?

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s major turn away from nuclear energy with Kori-1’s permanent shutdown.

JAPAN. Students and researchers at research reactors should have background checks, warns Japan’s nuclear regulator.  Plutonium in workers’ urine at Oarai Research and Development Center.  Fukushima. Fukushima’s Radiation will poison food ‘for decades’ Study Finds. For Fukushima returnees, security a growing concern in deserted towns.

NORTH KOREA. There are “positive signals” on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue  – China. New activity at North Korean nuclear test site.

SOUTH AFRICA. Nuclear deal with Russia is central to the corruption in South Africa. President Jacob Zuma says South Africa is committed to nuclear power expansion.   President Zuma “knows nothing” about nuclear corruption in South Africa, or his family benefiting.

FRANCE. Flamanville nuclear reactor: EPR pressure vessel does not comply with safety regulations.

INDIA. India gives up on importing Western nuclear reactors, to save face, will build its own.

GREENLAND. As Greenland Ice Sheet thaws, old nuclear missile site Camp Century is revealed.

June 25, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

17 June – the past week in nuclear and climate news

Thanks to those who reminded me that the British PM is NOT Theresa Merkel, (as I wrote last week). As one reader suggested, I must have been doing some wishful thinking – a Freudian slip. Now I know that the  PM is Theresa Mayhem.

17 June, as delegates gather in New York for UN negotiations on nuclear weapons ban treaty, women and men and children around the world will be marching in support of that treaty plan.

Collapsing ice shelves will further accelerate global sea level rise. Cities and states may be able to officially join the Paris Climate Agreement. The “growth economy” must end, along with the coal industry. Record drop in global coal production. Solar power speeding the death of coal-fired power.

Renewable energy news– the latest.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea moving surprisingly fast towards launching long-range, nuclear-capable missile. Increased activity around N. Korean test site may indicate 6th nuclear test.

JAPAN  Accidential exposure to Plutonium: what this means for Japanese nuclear workers.  Burst nuclear container scattered contaminants,  Court rejects citizen group submission, allows restart of Genkai nuclear plant.   Review of safety of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant will mean along delay in restart. Underwater robot to probe damage at Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant. Japan accused by UN special rapporteur of eroding media freedoms and stifling public debate of issues such as the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. Radiation levels exceeding state-set limit found on grounds of five Chiba schools.

USA

• U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis will consider scaling back some nuclear weapons systems. USA government renews old bunkers, for political leaders and other top brass, in event of nuclear war. US Senate’s move to impose new sanctions on Iran contradicts the nuclear deal.
• Lobbyist for Nuclear-Plant Tax Credits succeeded by funding politicians. USA Congress Committee narrowly votes to extend tax credit for nuclear power.
• American government’s (tax-payer funded) project for “Nuclear Universities” 
• South Carolina electricity customers must pay up for nuclear reactors, whether or not they are actually built. State of Nevada moves to prevent restart of licensing for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste site. Kentucky Governor signs measure lifting nuclear moratorium. Nuclear Leaks: The Back Story the NRC Doesn’t Want You to Know about Palo Verde

NORWAY. A warning to Norway, on Russia’s bad history of nuclear waste disposal.

UK. No planning in UK’s Brexit for the problem of EURATOM and UK’s trade in nuclear materials.Hitachi getting out of its financial risks in construction of new Nuclear Power Plant at Wylfa.

SOUTH KOREA. Permanent shutdown of unit 1 of South Korea’s Kori nuclear power plant

BANGLADESH. Ship at Bangladesh found to have illegal levels of radioactive material: too dangerous to scrap.

TURKEY. Turkey to go into big debt to Russia for $20 billion Akkuyu nuclear power plan.
FRANCE. France set to close some nuclear reactors.

UKRAINE. Chernobyl nuclear station – smoke detected at crippled Unit 3.

NEW ZEALAND. Auckland commemorates 30 years of nuclear-free New Zealand.

INDIA. American corporations hope to use Indian insurance companies, for nuclear build in India.

AUSTRALIA. South Australians very definitely dumped the nuclear dump plan, but a new battle looms.

June 16, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

The past week in nuclear and climate news

of interest:   Radiological and nuclear incidents – the IAEA database

In the anglophone world, nuclear and climate are not top of the news at the moment, but are lurking not far beneath it. Terrorism events enhance the concern about radiation – “dirty bombs” etc.  Theresa May’s unsatisfactory result at the British election makes it harder for her to negotiate the exit from the European Atomic Community (“Euratom”). In America the unfolding saga of the the sacked FBI director Comey, and the  investigation into Michael Flynn and the Trump election campaign, has now revealed Flynn’s involvement in a truly weird nuclear marketing scheme.

As for climate change action – well, China is taking over the leadership. China and California are setting up their own climate accord. A joint commitment to fight climate change – European Union and China. America is really “still in it” as More than 1,000 U.S. governors, mayors, investors, universities, and companies  pledge to meet the goals of the Paris agreement.

NORTH KOREA. Defiant North Korea vows to continue its nuclear weapons development. No answer in sight, to North Korea’s march toward nuclear capability.

EUROPE. Leaders of Germany, France and Italy reject Trump’s suggestion of renegotiating Paris climate accord.

USA.

• President Trump sets the world stage for a new nuclear arms race.
•  1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident – where to put the radioactive trash?. 
• Secret MOX Plutonium Fuel Shipment Planned From French Gov Owned AREVA To Japan -Trump Administration Approved with Tillerson as Lead.
•  Distress and disarray in the U.S. nuclear industry.
• New York ex-mayor Bloomberg leads the way in generous offer to make up USA’s funding to UN climate action.
• Global warming is killing off America’s coral reefs.

JAPAN. Ibaraki nuclear research facility under scrutiny after accident; gas suspected in rupture. 5 Workers Exposed to Radioactive Materials at Oarai Nuclear Research Facility in Ibara. Decommissioning of Monju Fast-Breeder Reactor Accepted by Fukui Governor,

Fukushima. Thyroid Cancer Plagues Fukushima Evacuees, But Officials Deny Radiation to Blame. Fukushima town, Namie to receive compensation.  Trial of Three Key Tepco Executives Starting. 80% of voluntary evacuees not yet returned to Fukushima Prefecture.

UK. Dangerous cargo of radioactive trash flying from Scotland to South Carolina.

AUSTRALIA. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill declares the nuclear waste importing plan “dead”

GERMANY. German Chancellor Merkel says budget not affected by court ruling to refund nuclear taxes.

RUSSIA. Legacy of improperly managed radioactive sites across Russia.

INDIA. The high cost of new Units 5, 6 at Kudankulam Nuclear power – most of it owed to Russia

BRAZIL. Brazil following US in rolling back climate protections.

AFRICA. Solar lamps tackling poverty and ill-health in Africa.

ANTARCTICA. Massive crack in Antarctic ice shelf is near to breaking.

June 10, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

To June 2nd CLIMATE CHANGE and nuclear news

As I write, the world is reacting to Donald Trump’s announcement  that America will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.  We knew this was coming, but it is still a shock. USA, under Barack Obama was, along with China, a world leader, at least symbolically, in the struggle to save the planet from catastrophic climate change. (Andy Borowitz of the New Yorker, has an original opinion on this.)

Donald Trump excelling himself in policies to ruin not only America, but the world.

Climate deniers hijacking a climate science conference in Rome.

If USA moves into Crimea, Russia prepared to use nuclear weapons.  North Korea ramps up nuclear warning to USA. Danger of conflict between USA and North Korea: North Korea has 100 Unidentified Nuclear Facilities.

EUROPE‘s nuclear power stations aging – nearing retirement: Nuclear transboundary consultations.

USA.  

• Washington Post awash with articles by weapons lobbyists.  Nuclear Missile Defense is far from a perfect solution. 
• New research on Three Mile Island nuclear accident link to thyroid cancer
• The very real risks of fire in America’s nuclear spent fuel pools  Future of Los Alamos National Nuclear Laboratory in doubt, following recent fire. University of Princeton Study Questions U.S. Nuclear Safety. 
• Notorious Three Mile Island nuclear power station to close. Nuclear companies’ owners beg for tax-payer subsidies – Three Mile Island begs, as solar opportunities rise.  Long Islanders Frustrated at Plan To Bail Out Aging Nuclear Power Plants.Nuclear executives’ excessive pay.
• Trump’s climate decision harms the planet, and goes against the wishes of the American public. Some big business leaders abandoning Donald Trump.Manufacturing and energy to information technology businesses concerned at Trump’s climate pullout.
• Free program to train coal miners as wind farm technicians.

UK.The danger of catastrophic cyberattack on UK’s Trident nuclear submarines. Britain’s exit from European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) – a real damper on UK’s nuclear industry.   Theresa May govt plans to weaken climate action rules.

SOUTH KOREA. South Korea soon to announce plans to phase out nuclear power.

BELARUS. Europe should not turn a blind eye to the developing nuclear threat in Belarus.

INDIA. India going into debt to Russia, for expanded Kudankulam nuclear plant ? A victory for Indian farmers, as nuclear power proposal shifted from coastal district of Gujarat. As solar costs plunge, India rethinks coal projects.

SOUTH AFRICA. Nuclear power company Eskom wants a blank cheque from the South African government. South Africa’s anti nuclear movement renews its campaign.

CHINA. China suspends permits for new coal plants.

JAPAN.  Nuclear storage crisis grows as reactor restarts continue.  UN Rapporteur Received Reports that Japan Media Avoids Covering Ongoing Fukushima Nuclear Disaster; Reporter Demoted-Salary Reduced for Writing About Fukushima.   Toshiba to present UNAUDITED accounts at the company’s AGM next month.

SWEDEN. In Sweden, civil society can influence nuclear waste decisions.

SPAIN. A promising first: hybrid wind power storage plant in Spain using batteries.

POLYNESIA. Declassified: Polynesia  vastly affected by radioactivity from French nuclear bomb testing.

June 2, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear news to 27 May

Christina Macpherson’s websites & blogs

I think that we’re all going to have to join American youth, in relying on comedy TV shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Late show with Stephen Colbert, to get our English language news, especially about America.  The actual news is more like comedy. While Donald Trump struts about the world, for example, talking about peace to the Pope, the Trump budget sets out cuts to the UN peace-keeping operations.

Danger of nuclear terrorism is not talked about much. But Britain has suddenly replaced  police at Sizewell nuclear site with armed soldiers. Singapore has recently passed legislation for mandatory death penalty for nuclear terrorism.

Draft treaty on banning possession and use of nuclear weapons released by UN panel.

Cold War nuclear weapons warped Earth’s magnetosphere – what will a nuclear war do?

Nuclear lobby in a bit of a panic – urging for ‘aggressive’ propaganda spin.

Survey of 8000 people in 8 countries: 8 in 10 now see climate change as a ‘catastrophic risk‘.

Almost 10 million jobs already, in renewable energy.

SWITZERLAND. Switzerland’ binding referendum – voted to ban nuclear plants, shift to renewable energy.

JAPAN.

Fukushima.

• Even as Evacuation Orders are Lifted, Recovery Remains Distant Prospect for Many Fukushima Residents.
• Ex-Officials of Fukushima NPP Operator to Face Trial for 2011 Disaster in June.
• TEPCO to look inside Fukushima reactor 3.
• Tepco completes sea wall at Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
• High levels of radioactive material migrating down into soil around Fukushima. 2 more nuclear reactors in Japan clear regulator’s safety review. Study: S. Korean nuclear disaster would hit Japan the hardest.

NORTH KOREA. Breakthrough for North Korea’s missile test – re-entry to Earth’s atmosphere. North Korea’s vast military capabilities, even without nuclear weapons.

IRAN. Election of Rouhani is good result for Tehran’s compliance with nuclear deal.

USA.

• Consternation at the Pentagon: Trump divulged nuclear submarine information to Philippines President.
• Why the Hanford radioactive waste tunnel collapsed.  Makeshift fix for breached Hanford radioactive waste tunnel. A predictable nuclear accident at Hanford. Trump’s new budget would slash spending on cleaning up Hanford.
• A Pox on the Mox – Trump budget to stop Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility.
• Three Mile Island nuclear station – unprofitable for past 5 years, close to shutting down. Despite government subsidy, U.S. Nuclear Plant Still Fails at Auction.
• While resident electricity rates soared, SCANA nuclear power executives received $3.5 million in bonuses.
• False nuclear emergency alert scares New Jersey area.
• Renewable Energy Grid of the Future being developed in New York.
• Donald Trump was taken in by a false story about climate.

SAUDI ARABIA. Trump and retinue in Saudi Arabia – the main event $110 billion arms package.

ARCTIC. In Greenland, abandoned nuclear base could be unearthed by global warming.

UK.

• UK nuclear deterrent may be vulnerable to cyberattack.
• UK election: party policies signal the end of new nuclear power.
• China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) wanting to take over Britain’s Moorside nuclear project?
• UK’s “Small nuclear” lobby spruiking its wares, downgrading Hinkley Point nuclear project.
• Developers scale down plans for Wylfa nuclear plant.
• Costly consequences for UK nuclear industry, following Brexit.
• RENEWABLES.  British solar power surge. Batteries becoming cheaper. British charity SolarAid works with Chinese solar giant to provide cheap, clean power in Africa.  Unilever powers all its sites by 100% wind energy. Offshore wind energy booming in Britain.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s nuclear build plans – ripe for corruption.

FRANCE. EDF secretly planning to extend the life of its 58 reactors in France. European Commission scheduled to decide on EDF to gain controlling stake in AREVA nuclear corporation.

GERMANY. German Anti-Nuclear Activist Jailed for Blocking Train Carrying Radioactive Waste Through Densely Populated Areas

INDIA. India’s fast growth in renewable energy.

CHINA. Chinese fighter jets buzz US ‘nuclear sniffer’ plane over East China Sea. China cancelling many coal mines, going all out for solar power.

RENEWABLES IN BRIEF : Solar power -China, Tesla news, India’s push for renewables  – Ever cheaper renewable energy.

SWEDEN. Sweden cancels arrest warrant for Julian Assange, closes investigation.

May 27, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment

Nuclear, climate, news for the past week

The English language news media hops about from one theme to another. While the nuclear crisis about North Korea seems to continue- the focus has shifted to the USA’s President’s credibility problem. Well, as long as he’s the focus, I guess that Donald Trump is happy, anyway.

Meanwhile the present drama about the computer hacking of hospitals and businesses has taken on a more sinister aspect. People now realise that  computer hacking could affect nuclear power stations , even perhaps nuclear military sites.

A new twist to this subject is the realisation that “cyber warfare” – to paralyse a country’s computer systems, could become a more satisfactory way for an enemy to attack, rather than use nuclear weapons. Analysts now consider North Korea as potentially able to use this method.

Investigative journalism lives:  Close to Norway – Russia’s secret nuclear weapons build-up, and waste dumps

Next generation nuclear power is unlikely to save the industry from bankruptcy. The nuclear industry in financial meltdown

CLIMATE. April of 2017 was the Second Hottest in 137 Year Climate Record.   Severe coastal floods set to double in number, as sea levels rise. 19 May Climate News. Climate change could kill off all coral reefs by 2050.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Lego goes for 100% renewables.   World’s biggest wind turbines now generating power off UK coast.

FRANCE.

• France’s new Prime Minister says France needs ‘massive’ renewables growth.
• France’s nuclear shares plunge as environmentalist Nicolas Hulot appointed as Environment and Energy Minister.
• France Gets EU Approval For 3 Schemes To Develop 17 Gigawatts Of Renewable Energy.
• Greenpeace’s lawsuit against French state aid for Hinkley Nuclear plant – upsetting for UK and French govts. Nuclear companies EDF and AREVA create a new nuclear company EDVANCE. AREVA and EDF pin their hopes on delayed, super-costly, Olkiluoto-3 nuclear project. France’s nuclear company EDF buys majority stake in wind power developer.

INDIA. India diverts ‘peaceful’ nuclear materials to weapons development. India plans to build 10 nuclear reactors. India’s secret radioactive horror story – Jadugoda.

UK. British Labour Party supports renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent, disappoints many voters. NuGen’s Moorside nuclear project in limbo – unstable and unsustainable. Britain’s new nuclear danger: cyber security attacks. Scottish Renewables publishes manifesto for 2017 UK General Election.

SOUTH KOREA. Global nuclear lobby very upset at election of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in. Nuclear power in South Korea is forcefully opposed by Catholics.

SOUTH AFRICA. South Africa’s formidable anti nuclear women ready to take on the government again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTerLrSS48. South African government still determined to sign new nuclear power agreements. No costing for South Africa’s nuclear build programme,

USA. New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged to pull the plug on nuclear bailout, as lawmakers work against it. Inadequate radiation shielding for USA workers handling highly radioactive liquid waste from Canada. USA signs up to Arctic agreement for action on climate change.

GUAM. America neglects Guam atomic test victims – hopes they all die?

JAPAN. Japan restarts another reactor. Mayors near Hamaoka nuclear plant say wider consensus needed for reactor restarts. In Fukushima, a land where few return. Fire crews finally extinguish Fukushima blaze in no-go zone as officials battle “radiation rumors”.  Families do not want to return to polluted Fukushima areas.  Diet Bill requires Tepco to create fund for Decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi.

SWITZERLAND. Switzerland to vote on promoting renewables and banning nuclear power.

CANADA. Scathing criticism of Ontario’s proposed plan for nuclear plant emergencies

TAIWAN. Chang Hsien-yi, the Taiwanese scientist who tried to save his country from nuclear war.

May 19, 2017 Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's notes | Leave a comment