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AUSTRALIA
Climate change. First the Abbott government was in denial over climate change. They sent, not the (useless anyway) Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, to the Lima Climate Summit, but coal fans Julie Bishop and Andrew Robb (Trade Minister). Clearly they were sent to defend the coal industry and promote the nuclear industry. The Australian government first refused to contribute to the UN Climate Fund to help poor countries, then did a backflip, contributing $200 million that they are taking away from foreign aid!
Abbott’s motivation is to buy back, (if possible) some international credibility, and to position himself to sabotage the Paris Climate Summit next year, in the interests of his backers, the polluting industries.
Australia well represented at Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, (though not by government)
Nuclear power. It takes a bit of delicate footwork, for Australia’s governments and corporations to switch from climate denialism to ‘need for climate action’. But this was inevitable – they now swing into action, promoting nuclear power as the cure, seeing that the Abbott government has fairly successfully completed the shutdown of renewable energy industries in Australia. Prolonged uncertainty about the Renewable Energy Target does that.
South Australia is the hub of pro nuclear lobbysim – in their pseudo climate activism (Barry Brook), in BHP, business, in academia, (funded by nuclear businesses). Daily, some prominent person, like former Governor Kevin Scarce, jumps on the nuclear propaganda bandwagon.
Uranium. Tony Abbott wants to sell uranium to Ukraine. Terrific idea? To be part of the largest nuclear power complex in Europe, in a conflict zone, in a country still not recovered from the radioactive pollution and trauma of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster?
The treaties committee in Parliament now has to assess the safeguards and conditions of Australia’s deal to sell uranium to India. Will they just rubber-stamp it, despite the warnings of John Carlson?
Aboriginal land rights - on the way to being trashed by the Abbott government ?
Renewable energy. Despite all, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) survives and thrives
INTERNATIONAL
Conferences: Vienna Conference on Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. Lima Climate Summit drags on, with rich countries reluctant to help poor. USA delegate Adam Scheinman at Vienna used bullying tactics to oppose a nuclear weapons ban treaty
USA. Govt’s Department of Energy to give $12.5 billion Nuclear Loan Guarantee to get new nuclear power projects going. USA resists tightening international safety rules on nuclear reactors. No utility executive could propose a nuclear reactor ”in good conscience”says industry executive
UK . Radioactive waste storage ponds in a shocking state of neglect at the UK’s Sellafield nuclear facility. Anglesey Council worried about lack of information on planned Wylfa Newydd power plant plant
Japan. As election day approaches, Japan’s communities deeply divided over the plan to restart nuclear power.
France. Potential for drones to carry explosive devices over nuclear reactors – not detectable by current security monitoring.
Pacific Ocean is still the sewer for the nuclear industry’s wastes
Renewable energy. Wind power success in UK, especially Scotland. Malaysia now a world leader in producing solar energy equipment. 1,000 MW of renewable energy contracts for South Africa
Research. Study into effects of chronic exposure to radiation in food: Chernobyl wolves as an example
Nuclear lobbyists. One example of their dodgy statements – Wade Allison.
