AUSTRALIA
Climate Change has been the big news this week, as over 60,000 people of all ages gathered to support government and public action for carbon pricing and renewable energy development. They want full funding the business-friendly Australian Renewable Energy Agency, (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
Simultaneously and embarrassingly the Australian government made our country an international pariah, in terms of attitude to climate change. As Giles Parkinson put it - "It has taken just 7 days, but already the reputation of Australia as a constructive force in international climate policy has been completely trashed – both in terms of its domestic actions and in the wrecking ball tactics it has sent to Warsaw.Australia is now seen as an “anti-climate” nation that is actively working against any consensus at these talks, as its domestic policies are translated onto the international stage."
Also simultaneously, The Global Carbon Project (Canberra)- released its annual report: - The world will release more carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels in 2013 than any other year in human history.
Today, journalist Ross Gittins made his own heartfelt apology to grandchildren: Climate change: Dear grandchildren, I can only say sorry
Uranium - worrying moves by the Queensland and Northern Territory Governments, as they encourage (a willing) Federal Government to hand over control of environmental approvals to the States, rather than the National government. (Imagine Campbell Newman in charge of such decisions!) More safety problems at Ranger uranium mine.
INTERNATIONAL
Fukushima is really the only story this week. Many commentators have expressed anxiety, as TEPCO is now proceeding to remove the 1500 assemblies of nuclear fuel rods from the pool above Reactor No 4. Each worker can stay no longer than 2 hours at the site. Later, the same dangerous removal must be done for the other reactors on site taking some 40 years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7g-IItX2QM With all the worry and anger about mismanagement at the site, we might spare a thought for these workers. As well as the radiation hazard, there will be the constant risk of any slip that would bring about a nuclear catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.
UK. The saga of Britain's exorbitantly expensive new nuclear project goes on. Now South Korea, - notorious for the corruption scandals in its nuclear industry - is moving to join China and France in setting up Britain's nuclear reactors
USA - Kentucky - Tornado hits nuclear facility – Uranium enrichment building damaged — Parts of cooling towers destroyed — Alert declared for ‘emergency condition’