Following Japan's devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, fear spread about risks of leaked radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant — for the health of those living in or near Fukushima or involved in cleanup efforts, and for the planet and the potential impacts on our complex marine food web. Shunichi Tanaka, head of Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, … [Read more...]
Plans to put radioactive metal in consumer goods going ahead
Civil society organisations have warned the nuclear industry to back off radioactive metal imports for smelting and its deregulated sale in South Africa, or face a legal battle. Hot on the heels of the Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (NECSA) claiming to have minimised the impact of the release of deadly radiation through negligence from the Pelindaba nuclear facility early in … [Read more...]
Fukushima: Contaminated water flowing into ocean
Water contaminated with radiation is flowing out into the Pacific Ocean from a harbor at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant despite assurances from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that it has been "completely blocked." Abe on Sept. 19 based his assertion on measurements taken in the outer ocean. But experts said levels of seaborne radioactive substances stay mostly below … [Read more...]
The world needs bold diplomacy
Just weeks ago the kids in this image were gassed to death in their sleep, but it feels like the world has forgotten them and got stuck in a debate between US strikes or doing nothing. Now there is a glimmer of hope for a peaceful way to stop these massacres. Syria's bloody war has been fueled by rivalry between Iran, Assad's main backer, and the US and their allies. But … [Read more...]
Fukushima radiation readings show new spike
Radiation readings around tanks holding contaminated water at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant have spiked by more than a fifth to their highest levels. Japan's nuclear regulator said radiation hotspots have spread to three holding areas for water contaminated during the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in March 2011. Rising radiation levels and leaks at the … [Read more...]
The energy facts are in for SA
The facts are clear. Numerous recent detailed reports with peer-reviewed hard facts from experts working within major civil society organisations are now in the public domain. All of them show that South Africa can meet its energy and many socio-economic needs through renewable energy and energy efficiency. With rapidly developing technological advances, and dwindling water … [Read more...]
Wrecked Fukushima plant leaking radioactive water
Contaminated water with dangerously high levels of radiation is leaking from a storage tank at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, the most serious setback to the clean up of the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The storage tank breach of about 300 tons of water is separate from contaminated water leaks reported in recent weeks, plant operator Tokyo Electric … [Read more...]
Fukushima former Chief dies at 58
The nuclear power plant chief who led the life-risking battle to stabilize the cripple Fukushima reactors when they were spiraling into meltdowns two years ago has died of esophageal cancer. He was 58. Masao Yoshida died Tuesday in a Tokyo hospital, Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Yoshimi Hitosugi said. TEPCO officials said his illness was not related to radiation … [Read more...]
Iran plans more nuclear reactors as tremors strike
Iran plans to build more nuclear power reactors in an earthquake-prone coastal area, Iranian media said on Wednesday, a day after a strong tremor struck the region close to its only existing such plant. Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude quake hit 89 km (55 miles) southeast of the port of Bushehr, killing 37 people and injuring more than 900 as it flattened small villages. The dead … [Read more...]
Transparency demands amid Fukushima commemoration
Earlier this week, Greenpeace Africa commemorated the 2nd anniversary of the Fukushima disaster with a call to the South African government to ensure transparency and accountability in the nuclear build process. Early on Monday morning, Greenpeace activists staged a silent protest on Johannesburg’s Empire Road. The activists, dressed in black with stickers across their lips … [Read more...]
Identifying issues holding back global energy transition
Continued uncertainty in the future direction of climate frameworks, political instability of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, energy price volatility, and the global economic recession are what energy leaders consider as the top ‘insomnia’ issues driving the world energy agenda this year, according to the 2013 World Energy Issues Monitor, published today by the … [Read more...]
Only renewable energy for Fukushima!
It's goodbye nuclear, hello renewables as Japan prepares to build the world's largest offshore wind farm this July. By 2020, the plan is to build a total of 143 wind turbines on platforms 16 kilometres off the coast of Fukushima, home to the stricken Daiichi nuclear reactor that hit the headlines in March 2011 when it was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami. The wind … [Read more...]
Nuclear energy in SA: no more secrecy!
Greenpeace Africa and the South African History Archives have lodged a formal complaint with both the Public Protector and SA Human Rights Commission with regards to the second refusal by the Minister of Energy to publicly release the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR). The review was compiled by the Department of Energy to assess South Africa’s readiness to … [Read more...]
