Thursday, October 31, 2013

Filmmaker Robert Stone, Other Pro-Nuke Advocates Should Make Expedition to Fukushima | Common Dreams



The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in a scene from PANDORA’S PROMISE. (Image credit: Courtesy of Robert Stone for CNN)
We are in desperate need of documentary filmmakers at Fukushima.

The Japanese government is about to pass a national censorship law clearly meant to make it impossible to know what’s going on there.

Massive quantities of radioactive water have been flowing through the site since the 3/11/11 earthquake/tsunami.

At thousand flimsy tanks hold still more thousands of tons of radioactive water which would pour into the Pacific should they collapse.

An earthquake and two typhoons have have just hit there, flushing still more radioactive water into the sea.

The corrupt and incompetent Tokyo Electric Power Company will soon try moving 400 tons of supremely radioactive rods from a damaged Unit Four fuel pool, an operation that could easily end in global catastrophe. The rods contain 14,000 times as much radioactive cesium as was released at the bombing of Hiroshima.

Nobody knows the exact location of the melted cores from Units One, Two and Three or whether they are still fissioning.

Reuters and others report criminal involvement, slashed wages, inhuman working conditions, serious shortages and lack of training in what has become an extremely dangerous labor crisis.

Intensely radioactive hotspots have turned up throughout Japan, including some that threaten human life in Tokyo and make cast a pall on the upcoming Olympics.

At least one report indicates a massive dead zone in the Pacific apparently caused by radiation pouring in from the site. Tuna contaminated with radiation from Fukushima have been caught off the California coast, and there are widespread reports other marine life disappearing throughout the Pacific.

With the information flow from Fukushima apparently about to go dark, the presence of independent media and researchers has become more critical than ever.

Petitions with more than 140,000 signatures asking for a global takeover of the Fukushima site will be delivered to the United Nations November 7. The ask is for a transnational team of world’s best scientists and engineers to guarantee that all necessary resources are available to deal with this crisis.

Robert Stone has made a high budget dis-infomercial sponsored by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen, whose cohort Bill Gates has bet heavily on new nukes. Called “Pandora’s Promise,” Stone’s promoters have refused to send us a review copy. We’re told it mocks industry opponents without actually interviewing them, while downplaying the killing power of atomic radiation. It’s scheduled to air on CNN without a balancing point of view.
Here is the film's trailer:
A trip to Fukushima might change Stone’s mind. He’s worked in the past with Michael Moore, one of our greatest investigative documentarians. Using Michael’s aggressive techniques, we want him to bring back critical information that could make a difference.

At very least we desperately need to know more about the11,000 intensely radioactive fuel rods on site, the three missing reactor cores, the proposed bring-down of the Unit Four fuel rods, the potential for still more explosions, the labor crisis, the unending flow of potentially lethal radiation into the biosphere, and much more.

The fate of the Earth may now hang at the mercy of a widely distrusted corporation and far-right government intent on blacking out that site.

Dr. James Hansen, an important climate scientist, has expressed his support for atomic energy, and would make a fitting co-worker on this trip.

Along the way, Mr. Stone, you might check out Japan’s massive new offshore wind turbines whose promise is to replace all the reactors this disaster has forced shut.

But as a hired industry gun, you need above all to tell us what’s happening at Fukushima...before the lights go out.

Our future could well depend on how honestly you undertake this critical task. Please report back as soon as possible.

Filmmaker Robert Stone, Other Pro-Nuke Advocates Should Make Expedition to Fukushima | Common Dreams



Sunday, September 29, 2013

Take Back Our Government_Dr. David Suzuki / Stand Up For Science


▶ Take Back Our Government_Dr. David Suzuki / Stand Up For Science - YouTube

Published on Sep 25, 2013
Dr. David Suzuki speaks at a "Stand Up For Science" rally in Vancouver BC. Things sure get hot in this presentation folks! Dr. Suzuki speaks of the importance of science in this rapidly changing world to ensure decisions are made wisely in affairs effecting our environment & the well-being of future generations of humanity. We are currently undermining the very things which keep us alive and healthy. Decisions must be made on facts, not on the wishes of private interest groups as we are now altering the chemistry, the physics and the biology of the biosphere on a geological scale . Dr. Suzuki tells it like it is accusing our government of "willful blindness". By muzzling scientists & restricting research our government is committing an intergenerational crime, affecting the well-being of humanity for many generations to come.. To view more of the photographic artwork of Stewart Brennan as used at the opening of this presentation, please visit: The Art & Expression of SFBrennan http://sfbrennanart.blogspot.ca/


Monday, September 16, 2013

Hope in a Changing Climate—John Liu at Geography of Hope - YouTube



Hope in a Changing Climate—John Liu at Geography of Hope - YouTube

In 2012, John Liu presented his film, Hope in a Changing Climate as part of the Geography of Hope event series in Pt. Reyes, CA. Following the film, Liu gave this presentation, which included video from his travels in China, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Liu has been documenting how large, decimated ecosystems are being restored in these areas, helping to stabilize the earth's climate, eradicating poverty and making sustainable agriculture a reality. John Liu is the founder of the Environmental Education Media Project. Visit his website to see the short film, Hope in a Changing World and related media: eempc.org.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Nuclear Hotseat #118: The WHO/IAEA Unholy Alliance and its Lies about Int'l Nuclear Health Stats | Nuclear Hotseat




How the World Health Organization came under the domination of the pro-nuclear International Atomic Energy Agency – the first of two exclusive Nuclear Hotseat reports on the unholy alliance that underlies our global misunderstandings of the dangers of nuclear radiation.


INTERVIEW:  Special full-length interview with Alison Katz of Independent WHO on the history, politics and criminal negligence of the World Health Organization.  She is a sociologist and psychologist who worked for WHO for 18 years and now is a spokesperson for the organization that wants WHO to do its job regarding nuclear dangers and international public health.  Even if you think you understand this issue, you will be shocked by the specific instances where WHO has abdicated its power.  You’ll also be inspired by an international tactic Katz proposes that has the potential to turn this issue around.  


Podcast - LISTEN > Nuclear Hotseat #118: The WHO/IAEA Unholy Alliance and its Lies about Int'l Nuclear Health Stats | Nuclear Hotseat

Draw the Line: Stop Keystone XL - Sept. 21st



On September 21st, we will draw the line to protect our communities from climate change and show President Obama that there is no turning back -- to keep his climate promises, he has to stop Keystone XL and the tar sands.

If there are no events near you, it's easy to host one.



Draw the Line: Stop Keystone XL - Sept. 21st - 350



Thursday, September 12, 2013

▶ Bill Nye: Firebrand for Science - Aims to Change the World - YouTube




▶ Bill Nye: Firebrand for Science - Aims to Change the World - YouTube
In recent years, Bill Nye has emerged as a fearless voice against climate change deniers. The Science Guy has gone from taking on science lessons for children to taking on pundits on cable television on climate change, evolution and science in general.
Read the story here: http://nyti.ms/15dp71I

via Upworthy.com - If You Didn't Love Bill Nye Before You See This, You'll Love Him After (Or You're A Cold Robot): What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Bill Nye happens, THAT'S what. If you're not convinced that he knows his stuff, skip to 1:50 for a glimpse of how well Bill Nye truly understands the world.