This week’s climate and nuclear news- Australia and beyond

It’s going to be costly for the world to take real action on climate change. On the other hand, fighting climate change Is the cheapest option we have left, to ensure the survival of the human race.   Australia is still in climate crisis, with a government strangely unaware of the reality of climate change, of its long-lasting impacts on this continent.

As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics draw closer, the Japanese government redoubles its efforts to downplay any radioactive problems to health and safety .  Fukushima is the location for the start of the torch relay, and for some Olympic events. But radioactive trash bags are a defining feature of the Fukushima landscape. And Japan now plans to release over a million tonnes of radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima power plant, as the radioactive water continues to accumulate.

A bit of good news –  Even Under Trump, U.S. Renewable Investment Hit a Record in 2019.

This one really appealed to me –Rather Than Slip into Depression, Man Quits Job, Sells Possessions, and Travels the World With a Ferret

AUSTRALIA

NUCLEAR. A reminder to South Australian govt that nuclear waste dumping is illegal there. High Level Nuclear Waste: do we believe Canavan’s Queensland mates or official sources? Federal Government chooses Kimba farm Napandee on the Eyre Peninsula for nuclear dump.   Strong rally in Kimba, South Australia, against nuclear dump plan. Dodgy #ScottyFromMarketing govt process for Kimba nuclear waste dump needs investigation.

CLIMATE.

• Australia’s extreme bushfires – forests might not recover.  Adaptation to bushfires might not be achievable without stronger action to curb emissions. The tide is coming: why our beaches are vanishing.
• A clear path to climate action for Australia.  Australia’s options for climate change action.
• #ScottyFromMarketing has no climate target, because he is controlled by climate denialists.  #ScottyFromMarketing is dodging the need for real action on climate change.  Morrison questions importance of global climate treaties.  Morrison’s refusal to move on climate, and the “prosperity doctrine”.  Quid pro . coal: Morrison support for NSW renewables contingent on fossil fuel expansion.  Scott Morrison, in the grip of fossil fuel lobby, is wrong about more gas for Australia.
• Liberal Senator Jim Molan disgrees with the scientific evidence on climate change.
• Dirty Politics: Clive Palmer spent $89m on election, fossil fuel lobbies back LNP and Labor.
• South Australia to accelerate transition, emissions cuts, after bushfires.

Aboriginal peoples must be restored as custodians of Country.

Inhumane treatment of Australian Julian Assange by UK government.

RENEWABLE ENERGY.

• Coalition energy policy void could reverse wind and solar price gains.  Australia being left behind as global corporate renewable PPA market surges ahead.  Morrison urged to act as Australian Renewable Energy Agency  funding about to be exhausted CEC calls for action on grid issues as renewables investment cut in half.
• South Australia encourages rooftop solar and battery storage in new homes.  Solar installed in remote Bidyadanga with lower electricity costs.    Fortescue to add 150MW solar and a big battery to Pilbara iron ore mines.

INTERNATIONAL

“Mercenary science”– crooked science funded by corporations.

Past time to listen to Greta.  Meet the scientists quitting academia for climate activism.

Media has ignored climate strategies to stave off ecological disaster.   BUT – Weather reporters now joining the battle against climate change. As forests burn around the world, drinking water is at risk. Could geoengineering strategies help tackle climate change?.

Katherine Hayhoe on A BETTER WAY TO TALK ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

Oxford City Council says NO to nuclear weapons.

Dangers of Artificial Intelligence with Nuclear Weapons.

Westinghouse will acquire the Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Systems and Services’ 11 locations in Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Surplus nuclear power has become an embarrassment. Inflexible baseload power no longer needed.

ARCTIC. Why Arctic glaciers are melting away at an accelerating rate.

JAPAN.  With 170 tons more radioactive water added each day, Japan’s desperate plan for dumping Fukushima water into Pacific Ocean.   Japan’s METI recommends releasing Fukushima Daiichi radioactive water into sea. Tepco estimates 44 years to decommission Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant.   Shikoku Electric not to appeal injunction over Ikata nuclear plant.

UK.  In Cumbria, concern over nuclear waste canisters, and inadequacy of Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) Need to include a No New Nuclear clause in climate emergency planning.    New nuclear: protecting the planet or turning climate emergency into double whammy?  UK government could save money, promote health, by energy efficiency programmes.

EUROPE. Europe to be the first carbon neutral continent, and WITH NUCLEAR POWER EXCLUDED. Top EU diplomat to visit Tehran amid nuclear tensions.

CANADA. Indigenous community votes down proposed nuclear waste bunker near Lake Huron. Opposition to Nuclear Waste Storage Plan Near Lake Huron.

USA.

• A really bad idea – The Navy’s New Mini-Nuclear Warheads,  USA’s new low-yield nuclear warhead increases likelihood of nuclear war.  The danger in deploying new US nuclear warhead on a submarine. Does the USA arsenal REALLY need costly new plutonium weapons cores? Nuclear weapons- the USA bomb making companies are doing great!. The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War.
•  A new serious problem with stainless steel canisters for nuclear wastes.
• Long Island Power Authority ratepayers will have to Subsidize Upstate Nuclear Power Plants.

NORTH KOREA.  North Korea’s nuclear tests have made Hamgyong Province area unstable.

IRAN. U.S. sanctions Iran’s atomic power chief for nuclear violations.

CHINA. The reasons behind China’s No First Use nuclear weapons policy.

SOUTH KOREA. Kepco to halt two nuclear reactors after missing counterterrorism deadline.

QATAR. Qatar says UAE`s power plant activities are a threat to Gulf stability and the environment.

BOLIVIA. Political instability adds to the danger of nuclear power for Bolivia.

UGANDA. Girl erased, but not gone.

TURKEY. Danger of Armenian nuclear plant to neighbouring Turkey.

RUSSIA. Vladivostok customs stopped a radioactive Toyota Prius that arrived from Japan.