News media seem rivetted on Hurricane Florence now affecting USA’s Carolina states.  Meanwhile there’s much less coverage of the much greater Typhoon Mangkhut afflicting the Marshall Islands, Guam, and soon the Philippines and Chinese coast.

Hurricane Florence, though now downgraded to Category 1, still threatens at least 9 nuclear waste sites and at least 12 operating nuclear reactors.

The Marshall Islands, already having radioactive leaks, are even more threatened, with the nuclear waste tomb located there.

Crisis of heat across the planet.   Scientists are now establishing the links between climate change and these extreme events.

AUSTRALIA

CLIMATE CHANGE is taking centre stage today, as, Trump-like,  our new Prime Minister Scott Morrison pronounces that we will meet our Paris commitments “in a canter”. Alas, that’s a lie. In reality, Australia is on track to miss Paris climate targets as emissions hit record highs.  Australia is going backwards on climate change. Australia stands to REALLY lose face on climate change at coming international summits.

Senator Matt Canavan ridicules climate health report, days after climate health expert wins Liberal safe seat. 68% of Australians want govt to set genuine emissions targets to meet our Paris climate commitments. Queensland government climate strategy stresses the health impacts. Doctors speak out on climate change.

Adani coal company’s groundwater bores investigated  amid claims they were sunk without approval.

Darebin Council, Victoria leads the way on climate change action.

Australian Communities Foundation Divests $90 Million From Fossil Fuels.

NUCLEAR. Flooding Dangers to proposed Nuclear Morgue in South Australia.    Ship loaded with Australia’s nuclear trash arrives at Cherbourg, France. Nuclear waste returning to Australia is really High Level Waste.  South Australian MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan  on plan to store radioactive trash in rural South Australia.

Tony Abbott – the mad monk, and Ziggy Switkowski are spruiking nuclear power – again!  Senator Cory Bernardi believes in nuclear power, but doesn’t believe in climate change. Anonymous pro nuclear “engineers” lobby Canberra ministers and premiers.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.

• Victoria to support six wind and solar farms after overwhelming response to auction.   Victorian homeowners will be paid nearly $5000 towards the cost of household solar batteries if Labor is re-elected.  Off-grid and solar-based Electric Vehicle charging trial wins Victorian government grant.
• South Australia offers up to $6,000 grants for home battery installations.
• Northern Territory  airports to get three new solar farms and battery storage,
• Transport emissions are soaring – it’s time to shift to electric vehicles. Tesla on track to offer “cheaper” Model 3 to Australian drivers.

Julian Assange‘s future safety hangs in the balance.

INTERNATIONAL

‘Hothouse Earth’ could become irreversible. U.N.Secretary General- world is at a defining moment for action on climate change. Bangkok climate talks a ‘limited’ success. Next international climate meeting in Poland in December.

Nuclear power uneconomic, investments driven by needs of nuclear weapons industry. Now even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports a dim view of nuclear energy’s future.

Radiation the biggest of many hazards to space flight to Mars.

USA.

• Hurricane Florence the biggest challenge yet to North Carolina’s Brunswick nuclear power station. Brunswick Nuclear Power Station’s “Cliff Edge” Barriers Appear To Fall Almost 8 Feet Short Of Required Storm Surge Protection Level. North Carolina nuclear stations- danger of spent nuclear fuel over-heating , in the event of an accident.  Nuclear authorities make reassuring noises about Hurricane Florence, and don’t mention radioactive waste dumps.
•  Wildfire burns at Hanford nuclear reservation.
• More $millions for nuclear weapons in US spending bill. American politicians pushing to have tax-payers fund new nuclear. New sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies, over North Korea nuclear program.  U.S. Navy Conducts Military Exercises in Gulf Amid Iran Tension.
• JEA and the city of Jacksonville sue to get out of Georgia nuclear contract. New Jersey’s nuclear subsidy means a loss to electricity consumers.
•  Exhuming nuclear trash in Idaho. Critics becoming more concerned about safety issues in Texas nuclear waste storage plan.

UK.

• Prof. Chris Busby`s home has been raided by … everyone. European Court of Human Rights finds UK’s bulk surveillance powers to be illegal.
• Under cover of darkness, EDF dumps 2,000 tons of ‘nuclear mud’ near Cardiff. Legal challenge to Hinkley nuclear mud dumping off Cardiff. Hinkley nuclear deal with union – work will continue in the event of a worker death accident.   Hinkley Point C and Sea-Level Rise .
• UK government rejects the call to guarantee funding for Moorside nuclear power project. Cumbria business chief in a stew over possible abandonment of £15bn Moorside nuclear project.  UK’s Moorside nuclear power project now teeters on the edge of collapse. UK consumers could pay for new nuclear power plants years before they are built.
• UK’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is NOT backing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors.
• From 1948-till now -UK’s Springfield nuclear plant’s radioactive discharge continues into River Ribble UK’s nuclear wastes- the clean-up will be a bonanza for nuclear companies. UK’s House of Lords show complete contempt for even thinking about, or discussing nuclear waste problem.

JAPAN. The Fukushima nuclear crisis: How communities, doctors, media, and government have responded. Informal Labour, Local Citizens and the Tokyo Electric Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Crisis.

FRANCE. France’s aging nuclear reactors. State owned corporation EDF plans to keep them going, despite France’s phaseout policy. French government to scrutinise nuclear costs: current European pressurized reactor (EPR) project not economic. Despite glut of uranium fuel AREVA – now called Orano, to start a huge new uranium conversion plant.

NORTH KOREA. North Korea now emphasising economic development, not nuclear might.

IRAN.  Iran honored its nuclear deal. But Trump’s sanctions could plunge the region into conflict

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