To 19th August nuclear and climate news

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

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR. Stand Tall: No Dump Alliance urges South Australian leaders to halt federal nuclear waste dump plan.– The ABC swallows the nuclear lobby line on medicine – hook line and sinker. Two Kimba farmers happy at the prospect of stranded radioactive trash on their land.

CLIMATE  Australia failing in migration and humanitarian help for Pacific Islanders in their drowning islands.  Climate Denial in Australia and USA: the Differences.–  Parliament passes Bill  with amendment accusing government of failing to protect Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef. World first: shareholders sue Commonwealth Bank of Australia for misleading shareholders over climate risks.

Adani coal project Auditor General to investigate Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) ?

RENEWABLE ENERGY South Australian Premier announces Solar thermal power plant for Port Augusta,–  Port Augusta local community welcome greenlighting of solar thermal power plant. Even the right-wing Adelaide Advertiser (!) applauds decision.

Standards Australia to ban home energy storage batteries!   -Loads more renewables news at http://reneweconomy.com.au/

INTERNATIONAL

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.

 

With the pretence of “medical treatment” USA experimented on a small Australian boy, with plutonium injections

Paul Langley,  https://www.facebook.com/paul.langley.9822/posts/10213752429593121CAL-2, 14 Aug 17, 5 yr-old Simon Shaw and his mum. Simon was flown from Australia to the US on the pretext of medical treatment for his bone cancer. Instead, he was secretly injected with plutonium to see what would happen. His urine was measured, and he was flown back to Australia.

Though his bodily fluids remained radioactive, Australian medical staff were not informed. No benefit was imparted to Simon by this alleged “medical treatment” and he died of his disease after suffering a trip across the world and back at the behest of the USA despite his painful condition. The USA merely wanted a plutonium test subject. They called him CAL-2. And did their deed under the cover of phony medicine.

“Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515-2107, Edward J. Markey, 7th District, Massachusetts Committees, [word deleted] and Commerce, Chairman Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance, Natural Resources, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe] MEMORANDUM To: Congressman Edward J. Markey From: Staff Subject: The Plutonium Papers Date: 4/20/94

Staff Memo on Plutonium Papers

The medical file for Cal-2 also contains correspondence seeking follow-up from Argonne National Laboratory in the 1980s. Cal-2 was an Australian boy, not quite five years old, who was flown to the U.S. in 1946 for treatment of bone cancer. During his hospitalization in San Francisco, he was chosen as a subject for plutonium injection. He returned to Australia, where he died less than one year later.

Document 700474 is a letter from Dr. Stebbings to an official at the Institute of Public Health in Sydney, Australia, in an attempt to reach the family of Cal-2. This letter reports that the child was “injected with a long-lived alpha-emitting radionuclide.” Document 700471 is a letter from Dr. Stebbings to New South Wales, Australia (names and town deleted), inquiring about recollections of the boy’s hospitalization in 1946. The letter notes that, “those events have become rather important in some official circles here,” but provides few details to the family.

A hand-written note on the letter reports no response through October 8, 1987. Considering the history on the lack of informed consent with these experiments, it is surprising that the letters to Australia failed to mention the word “plutonium.”

The Australian news media has since identified Cal-2 as Simeon Shaw, the son of a wool buyer in New South Wales, and information on the injection created an international incident. The information in the medical file does indicate that at a time when Secretary Herrington told you that no follow-up would be conducted on living subjects, the Department of Energy was desperately interested in conducting follow-up on a deceased Australian patient.

In an effort to determine the full extent of follow-up by the Department after 1986, your staff has requested, through the Department’s office of congressional affairs, the opportunity to speak with Dr. Stebbings, Dr. Robertson, and any other officials who may have been involved in the follow-up. So far, that request has been unsuccessful. It remains an open question as to what was the full extent of follow-up performed in the 1980s, and whether the efforts then would facilitate any further follow-up on subjects now. It seems appropriate for the Interagency Working Group to address these questions as its efforts continue.”

Source: National Security Archives, George Washington University, http://www.gwu.edu/…/…/mstreet/commeet/meet1/brief1/br1n.txt

See also ACHRE Final Report.

NO MORE DUAL USE ABUSE OF AUSTRALIANS MR PRESIDENT. STOP FUNDING SYKES AND FLINDERS UNIVERSITY IN THE DOE QUEST FOR CHEAP CLEANUP OF URANIUM CONTAMINATED SITES.

Mr. President, you are wrong if you think you can do the same again re hormesis funding in Australia as the USA did with CAL-2. We have not forgotten and do not trust you or your paid agents in Australian universities such as Flinders.

To 12 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.

AUSTRALIA

Australian public servants face disciplinary action if they criticise govt, or “like” such criticisms on social media.

Long walk for justice: Aboriginal ‘Spiritual Walker’ Clinton Pryor crosses the country for his people

NUCLEAR.  Turnbull says Australia will join in the war, if North Korea attacks USA. (Doesn’t say whether Australia will join in if USA attacks North Korea).  The role of Pine Gap would inevitable draw Australia into a Korean war.    Tony Abbott wants Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence for Australia.   Australia still has the opportunity to join the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty.

CLIMATE. Inquiry into the security ramifications of climate change – warning on Australia’s risks.    Sunshine Coast church communities unite in concern about climate change. Did Queensland Resources Council urge Great Barrier Reef experts to ignore climate change? Australia must wake up to the climate disaster facing Pacific Islanders. Since Australia’s carbon tax was abolished, greenhouse gas emissions continue to soar.  Legal action against Commonwealth Bank over its failure to disclose climate change risk in report . Australia’s ski industry faces continuing problems due to climate change.

ENERGY.  Across Australia, rooftop solar continues its record year.  Wandoan solar farm – Australia’s largest, planned for the middle of Queensland’s gas country.  Energy executives tell Turnbull they aren’t interested in prolonging life of coal plants.    Solar power, wind power, storage – to replace Liddell coal plant.  Hydro power puts Tasmania in a leading position for battery storage of renewable energy. South Australia’s  battery project will open Australian market. Heaps more at REneweconomy.

INTERNATIONAL

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 6th – Hiroshima Day, and the news of the week

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.

AUSTRALIA

CLIMATE.

• Australia’s national security is threatened by climate change. Great Barrier Reef‘s great value as a coastal defence. Climate change brings Australia’s hottest July on record. Since Australia’s carbon tax was abolished, greenhouse gas emissions continue to soar. Ski resorts relying on machine-made snow: climate change is making this worse.
• Australian Academy of Science warns on our shortage of climate scientists.  Scott Pruitt, Trump’s Chief Against the Environment, will be touring Australia 
• A critical fight against corporate villainy: Australia’s public interest versus Adani  $1 billion loan to Adani Carmichael mine project a big loser for taxpayers?  Adani spending spree as coal megamine gains pace.  Glencore, company with global history of corruption and environmental degradation urges “business before climate action.

Matt Canavan, (now resigned as Resources Minister)  makes it quite clear that he WAS the Minister For Mining 

NUCLEAR. Lucas Heights nuclear reactor was always intended as a step towards nuclear weapons, AND IT STILL IS.  South Australians Brett and Michael Rayner overjoyed at the beauty of nuclear wastes at ANSTO, – apparently unaware of the toxicity of the nuclear waste they’re inviting to their property.

Garma 2017[ Aboriginal reconciliation congress)  pushes for nationwide Makarrata (Treaty)

Lithium Australia – company seeks to recycle rare earths. – Western Australia’s boom in lithium mining.

RENEWABLE ENERGY – I can’t keep up. Go to REneweconomy.

INTERNATIONAL

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.

A very secret party in America’s very secret military base in outback Australia

What is more pressing for the Canberra apparatchiks is what a base like Pine Gap does in the context of spats with other powers which Australia shares ties with. The China rise is particularly problematic, given the teeth-gnashing belligerence being shown over maritime disputes.

Even as Chinese nationals purchase Australian real estate, tremors between Washington and Beijing can be felt as the base celebrates its half-century. A happy birthday it would have been, but only for some.

  The Pine Gap Anniversary Party    https://intpolicydigest.org/2017/07/30/pine-gap-anniversary-party, Blony Kampmark /30 JUL 2017 It all happened without much fuss, since fuss was bound to be the enemy. Dignitaries, guests and various partners lined up for a gathering at Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory on Saturday, commemorating the secret base’s half-century.

The Alice Spring News Online described it, not inaccurately, as a “stealth party.” The Convention Centre hosting the dinner was tight lipped throughout the week about the guest list. “Unfortunately the details of this weekend’s event are not available for public release.” Not for residents in Alice Springs; not for the electors, or even the politicians. This would be an imperial, vetted affair.

A sense about how the base functions in a defiant limbo, one resistant to Australian sovereignty, can be gathered in various ways. The local federal member, Chansey Paech, whose constituency hosts the base, was not invited. Senator Nigel Scullion’s query about the exclusion of media from the event was rebuffed by the Defence department, with the Defence Minister keen to hold the line against her own colleague.

The Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD), charged with supplying the indigenous “welcome to country” gathering at such bashes, seemed less than pleased to supply details. When the intrepid Alice Springs News Online dared ask, the CEO Kerry Le Rossignol responded with a dismissive “No comment.”

On July 25, a Defence spokesperson insisted that, “The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap is proud to commemorate its 50th anniversary. However, celebrations are restricted to site personnel and invited guests only.” Power without perusal; might, without scrutiny.

The Australian press corps haven been subjected to a drip feed process over the years about what, exactly takes place at the US base, hungrily consuming morsels like indigent urchins. This is a “joint” facility in name only, but it does have Australian personnel running the low-grade coffee errands. Vassals have their uses, and should be reminded of them.

The Nautilus Institute for Security and Instability has been keeping a keener eye than most on this, notably through the eagle-eyed Richard Tanter. In an introductory overview on Pine Gap, its ongoing, updated report on the base notes the following:

“Pine Gap is perhaps the most important United States intelligence facility outside that country, playing a vital role in the collection of a very wide range of signals intelligence, providing early warning ballistic missile launches, targeting of nuclear weapons, providing battlefield intelligence data for United States armed forces operating in Afghanistan and elsewhere (including previously in Iraq), critically supporting United States and Japanese missile defence, supporting arms control verification, and contributing targeting data to United States drone attacks.”

The report pegs Pine Gap’s role to three operational functions, with the original one still being primary: a station for geosynchronous signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellites developed under the auspices of the Central Intelligence Agency. Originally, these were intended to focus on the testing of Soviet missiles. One estimate puts the number of radomes and satellite dishes at Pine Gap at 38.

The second features a function acquired in late 1999, when the base became a Relay Ground Station for detecting missile launches, including Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) which now includes a Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS).

The third is its interception function (foreign satellite/communications satellite), acquired in the first decade of 2000. The Nautilus report notes that two 23-metre dishes appropriate for COMSAT SIGINT Development (Sigdev) were installed within the 30-metre radomes at the end of 1999 and early 2000.

All this cut, dried and smoked material conveys the relevance of Australia’s continued geographical role as a dry goods merchant for Washington. It supplies the isolation and the means for the US imperium as officials in Canberra keep mum about the sheer extent Pine Gap operates. It also supplies the bloodied hand that assists US-directed drone strikes in theatres where neither Washington nor Canberra are officially at war. Australia remains America’s glorified manservant.

These are just a few points that have galvanised a small but vocal movement insisting on the closure of the base. Protests have also centred on disrupting, to use the words of James Brennan from Disarm, “the activities of the US war machine in Australia and on Aboriginal land.”

At various stages, prosecutions on charges of trespass under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 have also been mounted, though the effort in 2007 was laughed out of court by the presiding judge, Daynor Trigg, who deemed the statute “a bit of nonsense.” The defendants were duly acquitted by the Northern Territory Criminal Appeals Court, who quashed attempts by prosecutors to seek a retrial.

As late as last year, six self-proclaimed “peace pilgrims” received the attention of authorities for sporting musical instruments and pictures depicting war casualties onto the base. Their fate may be similar to those in 2007: to make the charges stick, evidence on the function of Pine Gap would have to be adduced. The veil would be lifted; secrecy would abate.

What is more pressing for the Canberra apparatchiks is what a base like Pine Gap does in the context of spats with other powers which Australia shares ties with. The China rise is particularly problematic, given the teeth-gnashing belligerence being shown over maritime disputes.

Even as Chinese nationals purchase Australian real estate, tremors between Washington and Beijing can be felt as the base celebrates its half-century. A happy birthday it would have been, but only for some.

South Australian couple welcome nuclear waste: have no idea of its radioactive and long lived toxicity

 

L-R ANSTO’s Chief Nuclear Officer Hef Griffiths; Michelle Rayner; Brett Rayner   with the most radioactive waste on site at ANSTO:

Steve Dale Fight To Stop Nuclear Waste Dump In Flinders Ranges SA    The container pictured contains 15 Petabecquerels of radioactivity. If the walls weren’t 20cm thick solid steel it would kill any who stood too close for too long. Estimates are around 20 Petabecquerels of Cesium-137 contaminated the land and sea around Fukushima. There’s enough radioactivity in that high level waste container to Fukushima all the farmland, fisheries and tourism around Kimba. more https://www.facebook.com/groups/344452605899556/

South Australian couple Brett and Michelle Rayner thrilled at thought of hosting nuclear waste dump on their land

Last Friday, landowners who volunteered a site for the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility made a trip to Australia’s home of nuclear science, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

Brett and Michelle Rayner, who volunteered part of their property for consultation on the national facility, toured ANSTO, meeting with ANSTO’s CEO and the local Mayor.

Brett said that the experience showed him that the waste was even safer than he thought.

“I was originally against the proposal, but after attending the community meetings I got the information and could see that there are no safety risks and there is opportunity for our community,” he said

“Based on that I volunteered my land, but coming to ANSTO and seeing this operation in person has really confirmed for me that this waste can and is being safely managed,” he said.

Being able to walk up to the intermediate level waste and touch the container it’s stored in, and to hear and see the different ways that the waste is treated to make it safe, was amazing.

“There is so much more done with this one reactor than I even imagined, so it was great to be able to come, see the way things are done here, and ask all your questions.”

Michelle said that she really enjoyed the opportunity to come and see the reality of what waste storage looks like.

“What’s done at ANSTO is just mind-blowing, and what stood out is the wide variety of research that goes on here, that people maybe don’t realise the huge contribution nuclear science makes.”

Michelle said that she really enjoyed the opportunity to come and see the reality of what waste storage looks like.

“It has been extremely informative, it’s really opened our eyes to how safe the waste is – in many ways it is no scarier than a garbage bin,” she said.

“What’s done at ANSTO is just mind-blowing, and what stood out is the wide variety of research that goes on here, that people maybe don’t realise the huge contribution nuclear science makes.”

Nuclear and climate news to 29 July

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.

AUSTRALIA

Peter Dutton’s home affairs ministry will investigate itself for corruption.

NUCLEAR. Pentagon says North Korea capable of nuclear missile strike on Australia, USA in 2018.

Death of famed and much-loved Aboriginal activist Yami Lester. Yami Lester is mourned: his daughters carry on the anti nuclear fight.

Complaints lodged with National Radioactive Management Taskforce regarding the undemocratic nature of the radioactive waste dump process.

Quietly, nuclear -powered USS Ronald Reagan to Brisbane to join massive Talisman military exercise.

World Vision leader scathing about Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne’s plan for Australia to export weapons.

Western Australia: Aboriginal group’s claim against Western Australia Conservation Council over uranium mining.  Walkabout against uranium -month-long pilgrimage from Wiluna to Leonora to begin next month .

Northern Territory Norther Territory Aboriginal owners’ legal case: they wanted “low level nuclear waste dump”. Planning for the town of Jabiru to be rejuvenated as uranium mining ends.  Northern Territory Aboriginal communities begin shift to hybrid solar and storage.

CLIMATE. The world watches Australia – saving the Barrier Reef, – or pandering to Adani coal baron? ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and National Australia Bank, slash lending to coal miners.

Resignation of Australia’s Minister Representing The Coal Industry – Matt Canavan. There is no truth in the rumour that he is to be replaced by a lump of coal. Still, the replacement is Deputy Prime Minister Barbaby Joyce, so the rumour was close.

INTERNATIONAL

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.

To 21 July – the week 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?

AUSTRALIA

Militarisation of Australia’s police?

CLIMATE and ENERGY    Climate denialism rules the Federal Liberal Party – and is bringing about a split within it. The disgraceful state of Australia’s politics and media on clean energy. Australian States and Federal Govt approve 49 Finkel recommendations, but split on Clean Energy Target.Clean Energy Finance Corporation sees rapid growth in renewables.

NUCLEAR. Did Australia cave in to France over Pacific nuclear bomb testing?

Quiet shipment of uranium from Australia to India – non signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty.

South Australia. Clear opposition to nuclear development in South Australia: no further tax-payer money should be wasted on it.  Pro nuclear activities of MP Rowan Ramsey questioned.

Northern Territory. As ERA’s Ranger Uranium mine lease to expire, town of Jabiru’s future is not clear.

Queensland. Queensland Liberal National Party members refuse to pull out of Paris Climate Accord.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. I can no longer keep up with the many developments in solar, wind, sefficency, storage of energy etc. Best information source is Giles’ Parkinson’s REneweconomy.

INTERNATIONAL

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.

 

The week that was – climate and nuclear news

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

AUSTRALIA

CLIMATE. Former head of BP calls for an end to the cynical and dishonest denial of climate change.  Torres Strait islanders affected by climate change – evacuation eventually needed.    The Great Barrier Reef is not going to survive climate change. World’s unstoppable movement on climate change action – explained at Eco­city 2017 World Summit in Melbourne. Greenhouse gas emissions of Australian States; – Queensland’s the worst.

POLITICS.  Rather than mindlessly toeing militaristic USA line, Australia could urge negotiations on North Korea crisis. Australia should join UN nuclear weapons ban treaty, when it opens in September.

With the sudden resignation of Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, Australia has lost arguably its most intelligent and public spirited member of Parliament. This is a terrible loss for all who care about the environment, because Ludlam has been the most lucid, forceful and courteous voice for Australia’s land and water, and for its indigenous people.

A States’ led Clean Energy Target could work for Australia. Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT defy Turnbull, will “go it alone” on Clean Energy Target. Josh Frydenberg, Australia’s Minister Against the Environment, warns the States not to act on clean energy target.

Australia’s mining lobby has a win , with government’s subtle tactic to hobble environmental groups

No plans for real development of Adani coal mine expansion. Adani family will benefit most, if it happens.  The real purpose of Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund? – to supply $billions to Adani coal project. Anti Adani coal project Activists claim they were ‘run over’ at protest.

Queensland Liberal National Party confirms its status as the Party For Fossil Fools.

Australian Energy Market Operator Chief abused by broadcaster Alan Jones, of the loony Right.

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Queensland government would welcome an Elon Musk renewable energy storage project. Renewable energy news – more – and more

INTERNATIONAL

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.