AUSTRALIA
Climate Change “is the great moral challenge of our generation” – Kevin Rudd 2007. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqZvpRjGtGM After 7 years – what has happened to Australia’s enthusiasm for action on Climate Change? Sadly, Australians have elected a Climate Denialist government – a government that makes John Howard’s look like a radical greenie.. And, hardly noticed in the swathe of cuts to welfare, to youth affairs, homelessness programs, health, education, the Budget’s attack on renewable energy is barely noticed.
Except for the children of the rich, the future is very insecure. That’s the near term future. For ALL of Australia’s children , the future in the changing climate is insecure, indeed, fearful. Ignoring world trends for action, ignoring President Obama’s call for climate action, ignoring the renewable energy revolution already underway, Tony Abbott has acted faithfully in the service of the polluting industries.
The Budget:
abolishes Australian Renewable Energy Agency. (the agency’s remaining unallocated funds of about A$1 billion could be returned to the general revenue pool).
moved to eliminate the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation
dumped The million solar roofs program ( a core pre-election promise) “In place of the million roofs program, which was at once stage budgeted for $1 billion, the government has announced a derisable $2.1 million for “community” solar projects on RSL and bowling clubs and the like in 7 marginal electorates. (Yes, they are that cynical)”.- Giles Parkinson.
cut $21.7 million over four years through the amalgamation of the National Environmental Research Programme and the Australian Climate Change Science Programme to form a new National Environmental Science Programme.
slashed $111.4 million over four years from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the main scientific research body.
axed Clean Technology Innovation Program
frozen funding for the Cooperative Research Centres
drops election promise to re-establish Low Carbon Australia – a body that sought to provide specialist financing for energy efficiency projects.
will replace the Carbon Tax by Emissions Reduction Fund The ERF allows farmers and land managers to earn carbon credits by storing carbon or reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the land. These credits can be sold to people and businesses wishing to offset their emissions.
cut $459.3 million (or around three-quarters) of funds from the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships Program,
cut $16.8 million over two years from the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative
cut $10.0 million from the budget from the Bureau of Meteorology
Uranium industry has a poor short term future and a poor long term future – from World Nuclear Association analyst, Steve Kidd.
INTERNATIONAL
USA New study shows dramatic rise in cancers, infant mortality, near Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant. Radiation -related cancers increase around Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Lawmakers press for greater safety regulation for the nation’s collection of used nuclear fuel rods pools. NRC lists 21 reactors at risk from earthquakes Citizens worry about the oversight of the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. USA follows Russia in a massive nuclear weapons drill. New Mexico nuclear waste facility likely to remain closed for years following radioactive leak. They think it was caused by kitty litter!
Japan. How a single anti nuclear tweet could land a single mother in gaol. The harassment of Mari Takenouchi.Manga art depicts the health effects of Fukushima radiation. And Japan’s government is not happy about this. Firstlawsuit brought by a TEPCO worker over his exposure to nuclear radiation
UK. It’s almost certain that the European Commission will find that the funding arrangements for Hinkley nuclear plant are illegal . Nuclear lobby launches a new public relations campaign - “Bringing Nuclear to Life”.
Sweden New poll shows that the public is turning against nuclear power.
Renewable energy. Solar panels are back on the White House Obama launches renewable energy actions, and gets support from several corporations. Huge solar array in operation in Florida.
Japan Assembly for Nuclear Free Renewable Energy is launched by two former Prime Ministers.