NAPSNet 29 March 2012

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet 29 March 2012", NAPSNet Weekly Report, March 29, 2012, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-29-march-2012/

DETERRENCE: Nuclear security at the Seoul Summit, Sharon Squassoni, NAPSNet Special Report (27 March 2012)

As an economic powerhouse that depends on nuclear energy, says Squassoni, South Korea appreciates the need for nuclear security and safety to underpin the growth of nuclear energy in the region. And as a rising nuclear power plant exporter, it also understands that improved nuclear governance can reduce the risks of nuclear energy use in other regions.

DPRK: N.Korea moves rocket to launch pad, Chosun Ilbo (26 March 2012)

North Korea moved what it calls an “earth observation satellite” to the launch pad in Tongchang-ri to be assembled. US President Obama indicated that food aid pledged to the North would be suspended if the DPRK went ahead with the launch. The US and Russia agreed that the launch would violate UNSC resolutions against the North and PRC President Hu Jintao noted that the PRC is attempting to convince the DPRK to cancel the launch.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Climate variability and change in the Himalayas: Community perceptions and responses, Mirjam Macchi et al., International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal (2011) [PDF, 3.12 MB]

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) investigates how climate and socioeconomic change is affecting mountain people’s livelihoods, what makes them vulnerable, and how they are coping with and adapting to change. It conducts a community-based vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment in four different areas of India, Nepal and Bhutan.

ENERGY SECURITY: Local energy planning in practice: A review of recent experiences, Eric Mackres and Borna Kazerooni, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (26 March 2012) [PDF, 5.63 MB]

The process and results of some of the hundreds of local (US) energy efficiency planning efforts that have been initiated in recent years were reviewed. The plans endeavoured “to cultivate a shared long-term vision to focus efforts, increase collaboration, and sustain momentum toward specific goals, thereby leading to long-term energy savings”. Further work was often required to fully fund, implement, and track results of the planning efforts.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Anti-nuclear activists say Summit ignores true nuclear security, Chosun Ilbo (27 March 2012)

Anti-nuclear groups in Seoul called for the abolition of nuclear energy and investment in renewable energy sources, claiming the Nuclear Security Summit does not promote nuclear security and instead works only to promote the nuclear industry. The Summit’s Seoul Communiqué has been criticized for failing to set concrete goals for the reduction of nuclear materials.

 

Note: We regret that the Austral Security section is not included in this week’s NAPSNet report and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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