This week’s nuclear/climate news, Australia and overseas

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

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

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

AUSTRALIA

Is Australia getting a second wave of Coronavirus?

NUCLEAR

National Radioactive Waste Management Mysterious, manipulative and corrupt process whereby Napandee was selected for nuclear dump site.  Kimba community unaware that Australia’s medicine does not need nuclear reactor. South Australia targeted: easy to later bring international waste in to nuclear dump.

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) sits on the fence regarding Napandee choice for nuclear waste dump.

Senator Rex Patrick provides Federal Parliament with another option for nuclear waste storage.  South Australia outlaws nuclear facilities, but yet not one S.A. Liberal MP voted against the waste dump!

Submissions to Senate Inquiry.

• Neville Reid – In a corrupt and undemocratic process, the Napandee nuclear waste decision has ignored environmental safety dangers.
• Carole Faulkner – Senate should reject Nuclear Waste Bill and recommend new consultation involving all Barngarla people
• Kimba farmer, neighbouring Napandee, stands firm against nuclear waste dump on agricultural land.

The seriousness of mobility of radionuclides in developing the nuclear waste facility at Kimba, South Australia

Expensive, dirty and dangerous: why we must fight miners’ push to fast-track uranium.  Scott Morrison gives a boost to uranium mining at Olympic Dam.

Gabrielle Costigan- another one revolving from tax-paid jobs to weapons industry!

Coalition’s push to deregulate environmental approvals will lead to extinction crisis will lead to extinction crisis.

CLIMATE CHANGE.

Australia’s best energy measure – to lift energy efficiency – Chief Scientist says.  Morrison government just doesn’t get it, on climate change.  The number of climate deniers in Australia is more than double the global average, new survey finds. “Too late for gradual transition”: Quiggin calls for coal exit by 2030.

Foreign ownership of Victorian water hits whopping high – Herald Sun

RENEWABLE ENERGY. Renewables will power Australia’s economic growth.  South Australia: The first big grid where rooftop solar could eliminate all demand. South Australia  fast-tracks energy plan to dodge blackouts and meet 100% renewables goal.  Rooftop solar reshapes Western Australia. grid, and retiring coal units won’t be missed Tesla says energy market reform must be accelerated in Australia

INTERNATIONAL

Now, the nuclear arms race has become even worse.

Joint Project Nuclear Risk and Public Control.

Explaining ionising radiation -a film about nuclear fallout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaH5heMIC_k&t=96s

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

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

USA. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INDIA. Explaining the India-China conflict.

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

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

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

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