GR: Here’s a list of some of the critical global concerns for the week.

Posted by Christina MacPherson.

It’s a toss-up as to which issue is now the most critical – climate change or nuclear war danger. I’m inclined to think – climate change. Some, like Paul Beckwith, Canadian Climate System Scientist, say that abrupt climate change is already with us, and drastic emergency measures are needed. Others are very concerned, pointing out severe problems – e,g today’s news – Asia faces climate change disaster.

On the nuclear scene, the world could be teetering at the brink of nuclear war, with North Korea ramping up its nuclear weapons, and Donald Trump tweeting belligerently.when what is needed is some new strategic foreign policy thinking

• Atmospheric CO2 Continuing to Increase.
• No choice really, but to learn to live with a North Korean ICBM.
• Ionising radiation’s cancer effect far greater in females than in males.
• Bunkers for the filthy rich: income inequality would continue after a nuclear apocalypse.
• The international nuclear industry in financial meltdown.
• ANTARCTICA.Huge iceberg breaks away from Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica.
• Climate change affecting huge numbers of children in Africa.
• Yet again, hope for nuclear fusion pushed into the distant future.
•  Climate change: clear split between USA and everyone else at G20.   Massive Wildfires Burn From California to the Arctic Ocean as Temperature Records Shatter.   USA Congress supports Department of Defense policy for action on climate change. Questions on safety of USA nuclear stations, risks of cyber attacks.Senator Edward Markey calls for U.S. govt to reveal details of nuclear plant cyber attacks.Hanford to use air surveillance to track down underground radioactive hotspots  Thorium contamination the likely cause of radioactive pollution at Missouri landfill. Thyroid cancer incidence greater in counties near to Three Mile Island nuclear accident.
• UK government’s issues paper on its position regarding Euratom. The nuclear problem of Euratom has the potential to derail Britain’s “Brexit”.  Legal wrangle looms over British or EU responsibility for nuclear fuel and wastes.   UK’s soaring solar energy capacity – could go even higher with consumers becoming “prosumers”.
• Small head size and delayed body weight growth in wild Japanese monkey fetuses after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.    Fishermen express fury as Fukushima plant set to release radioactive material into ocean. TEPCO chair: Nuclear plant must release contaminated water.
• Japan now hoping to export Renewable Energy Technology.
• FRANCE.  France’s EDF might have to shut down 17 nuclear reactors.   French government spends €2.0 billion and then €2.5 billion – steps in restructuring near bankrupt nuclear corporation AREVA.
• IRAN. It is reported that Donald Trump will say Iran complying with nuclear deal.
• Russia enthusiastically marketing latest third-generation nuclear reactors to India.
• NORTH KOREA. USA-South Korea bombing drill on the Korean peninsula angers North Korea.
• SOUTH KOREA. South Korea’s nuclear export plans may now be in doubt.
• KAZAKHSTAN IAEA’s Uranium bank in Kazakhstan likely to never have any customers.
• JORDAN. Solar power at Azraq refugee camp– provided by UNHCR and Jordan govt.

Christina MacPherson Climate/nuclear news – the week to 15 July « nuclear-news