I did like this: Weather Girl Goes Rogue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfcJP_0eMc&feature=share
AUSTRALIA
Again - seemingly quiet on the nuclear front in Australia. Yet, again, under the mainstream media radar, things are happening. BHP retreated from all uranium exploration in South Australia. Still the pro uranium hype continues, with Uranium SA's chairman's report talking up the industry's prospects, (despite all evidence to the contrary), spruiking its environmental advantages, and promoting Generation IV nuke reactors (even though they use little uranium, and the most hyped one - thorium reactor, is designed to replace uranium}.
On that point, thorium versus uranium, there's a call from a "New South Wales "jury"s report about nuclear power for Australia. It recommends "discussion"" on nuclear power - especially in the light of NSW's ban on uranium mining. You see, THORIUM mining is not banned in NSW.
Australia participated in two regional agreements favouring nuclear power. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will explore nuclear power as a long-term option for the region’s energy needs, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agreed to “ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear energy as a clean energy source in interested economies.”
Wind energy from South Australia reached amazing levels - a week of average 55% of electricity supplied, at one point, 85%, and some exported to Victoria. New South Wales came up with a renewabl energy plan that looks good, but turns out to be a dud. Queensland's Campbell Newman's budget was a renewable energy massacre, axing 16 climate change and renewables projects.
Naturally, news of India's turmoil over anti nuclear protests and police violence did not appear in the Australian media. But well, look, it IS the football final week.
INTERNATIONAL
India. Police used tear gas, and opened fire on some of the 20,000 anti nuclear protestors opposing Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) - one man killed and many injured.
Japan. So much news seeping out of Japan: the difficulties in removing highly radioactive debris from around Fukushima reactor No.3: the coming shortage of cleanup workers, as radiation monitors eliminate many workers due to dosage level received: it will take at least 40 years to decommission Fukushima reactors:increasing levels of cesium in subsea mud along Japan's West coast. Worst of all - news that fukushima schoolkids lunches continue to contain radioactive food, and the Authorities don't take this seriously!
USA. Nuclear Regulatory Commission produces a new proposal that will ease the safety regulations for new nuclear reactors.
Russia forging on with new nuclear plans - huge nuclear-powered ice-breaker - so they can control Arctic areas, and very hasty development of a dangerous MOX nuclear reprocessing plant at Beloyarsk
Canada: As Quebec shuts down its nuclear reactor, Canada joins the unseemly frenzy of nuclear countries keen to flog off their nuclear technology to India.
Comments
The world isn't ready for nuclear power
The world isn't ready for nuclear power, their have been too many accidents in the past, their are plenty of other power sources, like renewables.
the ability to 'burn' long-lived and medium-lived nuclear waste
What Thorium technology is being referred to in this article? There's Throium power-amplifier technology, or theorised technology would be a more appropriate way to refer to it. This is a sub-critical nuclear process and would, if realised, have some pretty nifty characteristics that might persuade even some greens to support it. This includes the ability to 'burn' long-lived and medium-lived nuclear waste, releasing energy and producing only fairly short-lived waste with half-lifes of the order of a few decades. It would be one of the few really viable suggestions for getting rid of existing high-grade nuclear waste and weapons stockpiles.
But I think that the article most likely refers other Thorium based fuel cycles, of which there are a few. To be sure, these are better than U238 based fuel cycles, but better than crap is still pretty crap.
The world is jumping the gun by investing in nuclear
The world is jumping the gun by investing in nuclear, the world should concentrate on renewables
Australia has been a world leader in renewable research
The rest of the world is in danger of being soaked in nuclear radiation & their is big chance that humanity may even become extinct, even though a Australian man split the atom, Australia has been reluctant to go down the nuclear road. Their are plenty of other power sources like renewables & Australia has been one of the world leaders in renewable research.