2015 - is it now or never for climate change action? And nuclear is not the answer.

Christina Macpherson -  links for these items can be found at http://nuclearnewsaustralia.wordpress.com/

However much people can achieve through individual action, in 2015 it’s a critical time for public action. In December, world leaders meet again to make a plan for climate change action.

At the same time, the failing nuclear industry is making its last, and most dangerous stand, as the nuclear lobby portrays itself as the cure for global warming. Sometimes this pitch is subtly put, touting nuclear and renewable energy as both “part of the mix”. Whether subtly or blatantly, the nuclear lobby’s agenda includes stopping the development of renewable energy and of energy efficiency.

AUSTRALIA  is in a unique position as regards climate change. It is arguably the nation that will be hit most quickly and most severely by weather extremes, and rising sea levels.

Australia is also the country with the greatest potential for renewable energy – sunshine, wind, wave.

And at the moment, Australia  (?) boasts a leadership role in spruiking for nuclear power. We have Professor Barry Brook, now on the international stage, leading the pack in the story that nuclear power will fix climate change.  We have PM Tony Abbott, wannabee PM Julie Bishop, and the obedient Coalition sheep doing all they can to sabotage climate action and renewable energy, both nationally and internationally.  Embarrassing, and dangerous, times for Australians  present and future.

The Ugly Australian. Paladin uranium miner  is in the news again, and for the same old reasons, alleged exploitation of  Malawin – this time by discharging radioactive sludge in to Lake Malawi  (source of drinking water for millions)

Trans Pacific Partnership Tony Abbott is on the point of signing this secretive Treaty, which will allow corporations to sue Australian governments for $billions. Older Liberal voters may well get  a shock if they find that the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme no longer permits cheap medications.

Renewable Energy. Powershop electricity provider way ahead of the game, is about to enter the New South Wales market. It’s already proved, in Victoria, that renewable energy sourced electricity can be cheaper. Abbot government is very keen to wreck the Renewable Energy Target before people wake up to such cheaper providers.

INTERNATIONAL

Pope Francis has come out loud and strong for climate action. And he’s going to be there at the December Summit. (A bit awkward for that devoted Catholic, Tony Abbott?) Sir David Attenborough warned world leaders to stop their ignoring and/or  denial of climate change

USA. The latest shutdown, of the Vermont Yankee nuclear facility, is having its impact across the whole American nuclear industry.  USA is really in  a mess here. Because the government is legally bound to provide a permanent nuclear waste dump, and has not done so, nuclear companies like Vermont Yankee’s Entergy Wholesale Commodities can go ahead andsue the government. As always, in matters nuclear, it’s the tax-payers who cop the bill.

At the same time, this sorry mess, plus the low costs of oil, gas, and renewables makes investors very averse to the nuclear industry.

Diplomacy. USA and Iran make  a tentative agreement on advance of the next round of nuclear talks. Success in these world talks would be a great step forward for global peace. Equally important would be a renewed nuclear arms control agreement between America and Russia. India and Pakistan exchange lists  of their nuclear facilities.

Despite those positive trends – there remains the problem of increasing nuclear weaponry -NATO , USA ,  China , India  ,Russia,

Renewable energy  - going ahead in leaps and bounds – Germany – 25% of its electricity production in Nov 14. Big companies investing in renewables – Norway’s Statkraft  and big multinational corporations