Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Nuclear Energy: The most destructive "environmental" argument for "clean" power




Well, "clean coal" is also pretty bad, but anyone that can sift through the propaganda put out by the coal industry (and President Obama) can see how flawed and polluting "clean coal" is. But nuclear power continues to make headlines as the argument for an energy source that creates zero carbon emissions continues to percolate mainstream American media.

Today, President Obama is holding another rally for healthcare reform. Although he continues to get beat down by those opposing reformation and restructuring of this horrendously flawed system, at least he continues to argue that a public option be put on the table. I almost heard that sense of hope in his voice yesterday as he continued to attack the healthcare industry and its capitalistic malice that is clearly putting their desire and drive for profit over the care of patients. Here's a quote:

“And they will keep on doing this for as long as they can get away with it. I mean, there’s no secret. They’re telling their investors this: ‘We are in the money; we are going to keep on making big profits, even though a lot of folks are going to be put under hardship.’ So how much higher do premiums have to rise until we do something about it? How many more Americans have to lose their health insurance?”

Good critical comments. But why can't there be continuity with regard to how Obama goes about achieving sustainability through environmental, economic, and social means?

Two important articles to read: http://crosscut.com/2010/03/09/science-environment/19646/


Both spell out the main tenants of the greenwashing that focuses any dialogue on nuclear energy generation; the waste. There is simply no where to put it, and beyond that, creating it is simply as environmentally destructive as just about anything. The waste does not go away, and while I championed Obama's call for dismissing Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste dump, and I do hope that sticks, if these power plants are created waste will be created, and some communities will face the burden.

Read these articles, continue educating yourself, and learn why nuclear anything is greatly opposed to any justice, peace or sustainability efforts on this Earth.

I have to say I love this quote in the Grist article: "President Obama has justified his proposed $55 billion in taxpayer-backed loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors by misrepresenting nuclear reactors as the largest "carbon-free" energy source in the United States. That's like saying McDonald's should be put in charge of a nationwide obesity campaign because it's the largest restaurant in the U.S. that sells salads."

Seriously. No Nuclear ANYTHING for a better world! It's that simple, there are other options.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The Olympics, the Klamath, and much more...







As I've been away for the last month, I always find it difficult to report on the many stories that continuously unfold each and everyday. Here's a shot at touching on a few points from the last month, bringing us into March 2010...

The Olympics reduced their ecofootprint, but what about their social footprint?

And did they really reduce their ecofootprint at all? Apparently several sources say they did(http://www.carbonfund.org/site/newsletter/entries/Winter_Olympics_Reduces_Its_Environmental_Impact/ ), but what I'm more concerned with is how the houseless community was treated in the run up to the games. Please read this and decide for yourself: http://secondgenerationradical.blogmatrix.com/:entry:secondgenerationradical-2010-02-12-0000/
...greenwashing alive and well...


If this article is true, and I pray it is, the removal of the Klamath dams represent one of the greatest recent victories I can think of for the promotion of peace, justice and sustainability.

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14432469?source=rss

With the removal of the dams we have a chance to see the health of this mighty river return, as well as the hopeful return of the health of the vastly impacted salmon. The peace fostered to Native American communities represents actual justice to their communities, who have been deeply effected by the loss of their traditional way of life through the loss of salmon and the loss of this spiritual river.

Sustainability, overall, takes a step forward with a move to bring justice to Native people, ecological health to the river and its non-human species, and the hope for a multi-lateral policy decision to make peace with the many diverse sides over this highly contested land-use conflict. If the Klamath and all its many ingredients can finally feel justice, then there's hope for the many difficult roads ahead!


President Obama, again states that he plans to greatly reduce the amount of nuclear weapons held by the US. GREAT! But why then does the US follow this statement with saying they will not commit to declaring the US would never be the first to strike in an exchange of war with a nuclear bomb?!? Does that commitment then make any sense at all?

http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/01/Obama_is_rethinking_US_nuclear_policy/?section=TopStoriesWorldwide&template=worldnews%2Findex.txt



While Chile rebuilds from their massive earthquake, think about donating financially if you can, or doing whatever you can, in anyway to send prayers, or do anything to help these people in some way,

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10339 , but let us also not forget the continued strife of Haiti as well,

https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?siteId=220&itemId=40883&adId=43159&placementId=118873&origin=

And what happened to the Clean Water Act? Now because of a Supreme Court Ruling thousands of polluters say the law doesn't apply to them anymore?!? Although like NEPA, in that the law itself is inherently flawed but offers necessary protection and policy under the largely flawed US environmental system, now it seems a large step has been taken in the wrong direction.

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/03/01/companies-skirt-clean-water-act/

And this month's TIME magazine asks whether the war on the Taliban will be triumphant or not. I beg each any ever person to read the amazing book Three Cups of Tea and answer that one for yourself.

For the happiness, well-being and freedom of all...