Another nuclear/climate worrying week – Australia and beyond

Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts activist holds a sign asking Pacific governments to “Vote YES for Climate Justice” as the Vanuatu Government and civil society organisations seek an advisory opinion at the International Court of Justice. Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and the Pacific Island Climate Action Network (PICAN) were joined by 40 climate activists for two days of mobilisation training in Suva, Fiji. The training was held in the lead up to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Fiji, where activists will call on PIF leaders to endorse an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.

Some bits of good news – UN declares healthy environment a human right.  – and other good developments – collated by Greenpeace.   World’s Largest Container Line is Rerouting its Fleet to Avoid Collisions with Endangered Blue Whales..  Patagonia company Gives Away Its Entire $3 Billion Worth to fight climate change  .  Climate.   The world in denial about the climate crisis.Tipping Point Hell Approaches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoyaCSWFGs

Coronavirus. The pandemic has gone away – yeah, right! – 

 Health leaders urge vaccination and return to mask-wearing as hospitalisations rise by 37 per cent in a week.

Nuclear. I got distracted from  this main subject this week-  because of the climate’s urgent reality.  It was about King Charles – being told, by that apparently mindless flibbertigibbet Liz Truss,  not to attend the COP 27.  And he obeyed . Isn’t that just symptomatic of the whole damn problem?  We’re all supposed to be ‘nice’ don’t rock the established boat –   even though the bloody boat is on fire!.

AUSTRALIA

War Powers Reform: those in favour say aye … or maybe “no comment”. Who are the war criminals? Taiwan “is not a vital Australian interest — we do not recognise it as a sovereign state”. 

Nukes Corp swings into action. 

Matt Canavan and 8 Coalition Senators aim to overturn Australia’s ban on nuclear power. ‘Radiation risk’: Nuclear threat discovered off the WA coast. 

Energy Resources of Australia’s chairman, two directors, say they’ll resign after pressure from Rio Tinto and traditional owners.

INTERNATIONAL

Here comes the catastrophocene…

“End War in Ukraine” Say 66 Nations at UN General Assembly.

What are tactical nuclear weapons? An international security expert explains and assesses what they mean for the war in Ukraine.

US, UK sabotaged peace deal because they ‘don’t care about Ukraine’: fmr. NATO adviser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T0zaYncvFQ

 These ‘nuclear bros’ say they know how to solve climate change.

UKRAINE. 

• Zelensky pledges never to talk to Putin. 
• Interviews With Donetsk Residents After Joining Russia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq-pM-JPBCQ 
• JOHN PILGER’S 2014 WARNING ABOUT UKRAINE. Both sides need to acknowledge their mistakes, especially regarding Crimea and the Donbass. “Eva Bartlett describes Ukraine’s unspeakable genocide of Donbass FULL INTERVIEW (Graphic Content Warning)” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiC0w8JLu4
•  ‘Not wise’ to let Ukraine join NATO – Kissinger.   U.S. has not seen acts indicating Russia contemplating nuclear attack. NATO chief throws cold water on Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.       The New York Times on Ukraine: Vietnam Déjà Vu.
• Missile strike near Ukrainian nuclear plant raises new fears. But the real question is why is it there at all? Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant: Energoatom denies fire in power unit 2.  Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant director general detained by Russian patrol (since released).
• Zelensky Reveals How Much US Taxpayers Give Ukraine Monthly. 
• Why Donbass residents voted to join Russia – the pro-Russian point of view.  
• Chernobyl’s Radiation Turned Its Local Frogs Black.

RUSSIA. Kremlin steps back from call to use nuclear weapons. Russia open to in-person talks with U.S. on nuclear arms treaty. Russia’s oil and gas sanctioned, – but its profitable nuclear trade allowed to roll on!

CANADA. Canada and the International Fools-Based Order.

EUROPE NATO ‘not obliged’ to assist Ukraine — German ambassador. NATO in the horns of a dilemma after former Ukrainian regions vote to join Russia. 

Nuclear power classed as “amber”, not “green”. Is it officially accepted as Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG) ? EU parliamentarian calls to sanction Vanessa Beeley and all observers of Donbass referendums. Sanctions against Russian exports – but that doesn’t apply to NUCLEAR EXPORTS, (while they bring in funding for Russia’s war!).

POLAND. Poland starts handing out anti-radiation tablets as battle rages around Ukraine nuclear power plant.

SWITZERLAND. Swiss Government wants command centre in case of ‘nuclear event’.

USA. 

• Don’t nuke the future . Subsidies to Nuclear Power in the Inflation Reduction Act still won’t save the poor economics of nuclear power – Cato Institute. 
• Uncle Sam’s Long Trail of Wreckage. Washington split over Ukraine’s NATO bid – Politico. USA government, Pentagon, happy to escalate to a nuclear war – at the behest of Volodymyr Zelensky ? The real Winners of Ukraine war – the USA weapons manufacturers! U.S. Announces $1.1 Billion In Aid For Building Ukraine’s Military. US Senate Approves $12 Billion In New Aid For Ukraine Amid War. White House requests Ukraine nuclear security funding to expand assistance due to nuclear power plant concerns.   The Insanity That Grips Washington – militarism applauded in New York Times. 
• America’s nuclear industry remains dependent on Russia for enriched uranium fuel. 
• How can Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant stay open? ‘It’s not a done deal’.
•  Pilgrim power plant owner still considering dumping nuclear waste into Cape Cod Bay. Nuclear Waste: DOE Needs to Improve Transparency in Planning for Disposal of Certain Low-Level Waste. 
• Maryland couple pleads guilty to selling nuclear-related secrets. US intel wants to improve low-dose radiation detection. Climate pragmatism or Faustian bargain?

UK.S UK Government to speed through nuclear development by making a bonfire of existing environmental regulations. Labour’s ‘Great British Energy’ Company likely to be a nuclear turkey. Giant pensions group Phoenix considers investing in nuclear, but wary of the financial risks. 

Save the fish: Nuclear Free Local Authorities call for acoustic deterrent at Sizewell C. Sizewell C nuclear plan – an insane legacy for our grandchildren. Two UK nuclear stations were due for closure in 2014. Now EDF wants to extend their lifetime yet again. 

‘People’s Plan for Nature‘ – a response to UK government’s attack on environmental protection laws. King Charles abandoned plans to speak at Cop27 climate summit, now will not attend, on instruction from Prime Minister Liz Truss. 

Honouring Britain’s nuclear testing veterans. Truss caves in to Mirror’s demands to mark ‘Plutonium Jubilee’

JAPAN.   Fukushima Reaches a Turning Point . Current State of Post-Accident Operations at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (Jan. to Jun. 2022).     Fukushima: Novel Fixes Fail, Waste Dumping Threatens Pacific Ocean. Japan asking world to pay too high a cost.  Fukushima radioactive sludge storage container will be full of nuclear wastewater purification may be hindered. Businesses worry about reputational damage from Fukushima water discharge.    

Inside the Primary Containment Vessel of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 1.   The TEPCO Shareholders’ Lawsuit: Why TEPCO Executives Have Been Ordered to Pay 13 Trillion Yen in Compensation. Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant hit by 26th postponement. New head of nuclear regulator vows to maintain ‘transparency‘.

SOUTH KOREA.  Seoul asks IAEA for verification of Japan’s plan to discharge treated water from Fukushima plant

FRANCE. Electricite de France, (EDF) loaded with debt and safety problems , gets a new CEO.

CHINA. India makes sure that China withdraws proposal against AUKUS nuclear submarines plan at IAEA.

NEW ZEALAND . New Zealand Calls It Quits On Aiding Ukraine’s Military. Opposition in New Zealand to Military Space Launches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XZzYm04xjE

IRAN. Conditions for Fair Nuclear Deal Outlined Iran Nuclear Deal Talks at Dead End, Biden Admin Tells Congress in Classified Briefing.
SWEDEN. Amid increased threats to military and civilian targets, Sweden increases security around nuclear power stations.