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...]
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...]
Activists protest nuclear talks in Sandton
Greenpeace activists protested outside a pro-nuclear conference in Sandton, where South Africa’s Deputy President and the Minister of Energy were due to talk. In an early morning protest, Greenpeace activists blockaded the entrance to the conference venue with hundreds of black nuclear bags and yellow nuclear drums. Five activists also chained themselves to entrance gates in … [Read more...]
Cape Argus’ anti-nuclear drive
This year the Cape Argus cycle tour and the first commemoration of the Fukushima crises fell on the same day. Knowing that Cape Town pretty much closes down for the Argus, Earthlife Africa seized the opportunity to raise awareness about the threat of nuclear power in South Africa. As the largest official cycle tour in the world, the Argus has 35 000 cyclists starting … [Read more...]
Justice organisation calls for public hearings
The events at Fukushima over the past few weeks have raised public awareness about the health risks of nuclear power. Earthlife Africa is calling for a firm stand against nuclear energy: 'Around Fukushima Daiichi Station, on March 23rd, they measured 400 millisieverts - that's per hour. With this measurement (Chief Cabinet Secretary) Edano admitted for the first time that … [Read more...]
Nuclear confusion a smokescreen?
We were shocked by the article circulated on the internet where a serious environmental author, George Monbiot (pictured), author of 'Heat - how to stop the planet from burning' turned pro-nuclear since the disaster in Japan. Many people were confused about this sudden turn and concerned that Monbiot had used his good name to potentially damage the anti-nuclear … [Read more...]
