Radiation and Health
The health dangers from nuclear radiation been oversold, stopping governments from fully exploiting nuclear power as a weapon against climate change, argues a professor of physics at Oxford University. Wade Allison does not question the dangers of high levels of radiation but says that, contrary to scientific wisdom, low levels of radiation can be easily tolerated by the human body.
Guardian 11th Jan 2010 more >>
Simon Jenkins article reprinted: Irrational fear of radiation leads to billions being wasted on defence budgets and hampers the fight against climate change SOME BOOKS are written to be read, others to be blasted at the seat of power. Two such blasts have just crossed my desk, from academics on either side of the Atlantic. Both are on the same subject, the consequence of the irrational fear of radiation. The first book, Radiation and Reason , is by an Oxford professor of physics, Wade Allison.
Irish Times 11th Jan 2010 more >>
At the children’s cancer hospital in Minsk, Belarus, and at the Vilne hospital for radiological protection in the east of Ukraine, specialist doctors are in no doubt they are seeing highly unusual rates of cancers, mutations and blood diseases linked to the Chernobyl nuclear accident 24 years ago. But proving that infant mortality hundreds of miles from the stricken nuclear plant has increased 20-30% in 20 years, or that the many young people suffering from genetic disorders, internal organ deformities and thyroid cancers are the victims of the world’s greatest release of radioactivity, is impossible. The UN’s World Health Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency claim that only 56 people have died as a direct result of the radiation released at Chernobyl and that about 4,000 will die from it eventually. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, another UN agency, predicts 16,000 deaths from Chernobyl; an assessment by the Russian academy of sciences says there have been 60,000 deaths so far in Russia and an estimated 140,000 in Ukraine and Belarus. Meanwhile, the Belarus national academy of sciences estimates 93,000 deaths so far and 270,000 cancers, and the Ukrainian national commission for radiation protection calculates 500,000 deaths so far.
Guardian 11th Jan 2010 more >>
Cumbria
RESIDENTS in Cumbria are being asked to give their views on which of three sites should be used as a new nuclear power station. The consultation is taking place over the next fortnight whether Sellafield, Braystones and Kirksanton should be used. Cumbrians can find out more about the consultation and how the site has been assessed at the exhibitions held at Kirksanton Exhibition next Monday to Wednesday, Sellafield Centre, Sellafield Site from Thursday to Saturday and Millom School, Millom on January 23.
Newcastle Sunday Sun 10th Jan 2010 more >>
Energy Supplies
Gazprom has so much natural gas under the tundra of Siberia that its energy resources are equivalent to all the oil and gas fields owned by western energy companies put together.
Guardian 11th Jan 2010 more >>
A steep increase in the number of gas-fired power stations has been approved by the government, raising fears about the growing pressure on future gas supplies. This new “dash for gas”, along with the huge investment in wind power launched by the government on Friday, reinforces concerns that Britain’s infrastructure may become more vulnerable to extreme weather and supply disruption.
FT 11th Jan 2010 more >>
Aldermaston
PROTESTERS are planning a mass blockade to disrupt work at a nuclear bomb factory next month. Commuters can expect delays on February 15 as anti-nuclear campaigners are planning to blockade the various gates to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston.
Basingstoke Gazette 10th Jan 2010 more >>
Iran
The US military commander for the Middle East and the Gulf region has confirmed that the United States has developed contingency plans to deal with Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Telegraph 11th Jan 2010 more >>
North Korea
North Korea has said it could return to talks on its nuclear disarmament in exchange for a peace treaty with the US and an end to sanctions.
BBC 11th Jan 2010 more >>
Renewables
The cold weather has been accompanied by high pressure and a lack of wind, which meant that only 0.2pc of a possible 5pc of the UK’s energy was generated by wind turbines over the last few days.
Telegraph 11th Jan 2010 more >>
