NAPSNet 06 October 2011

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NAPSNet 06 October 2011

DETERRENCE:  Nuclear power plant exporters’ principles of conduct  (15 September 2011)

Ten nuclear power plant vendors with Carnegie Endowment issued principles for global best practices for exporting nuclear power plants.  The statement includes vital norms and best practices for responsible nuclear exports in a single non-legally binding document, including compensation for nuclear damage, nonproliferation and safeguards, and ethics.

DPRK: Asahi: N. Korea asked S. Korea to buy unused nuclear fuel rods, Arirang News (30 September 2011)

The DPRK reportedly asked the ROK to buy its unused nuclear fuel rods. The purchase of these rods would prevent them from being reprocessed to bolster the DPRK’s nuclear arsenal. The ROK rejected the offer, having pledged not to make agreements with the DPRK over its nuclear program outside of the six party talks. The US has demanded that the DPRK make a clear demonstration of its intention to denuclearize before the six party talks reconvene. 

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: At the crossroads: climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Asia and the Pacific, UNISDR Asia and Pacific (July 2011) [2.29 MB, PDF] 

Both DRR and CCA represent policy goals, one concerned with a widely known problem (disasters) and the other with an emerging issue (climate change). While these concerns have different origins, they overlap a great deal through the common factor of weather and climate and the similar tools used to monitor, analyze and address adverse consequences. It makes sense, therefore, to consider them and implement them in a systematic and integrated manner.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Fukushima protesters urge Japan to abandon nuclear power, The Guardian (19 September 2011)

Nearly 60,000 protesters gathered in Tokyo calling for the removal of all nuclear plants and a new renewable-based energy policy, with a recent poll showing 55% of respondents favoring a reduced number of reactors. Simultaneous economy-based protests in New York and Europe signify the growing number of ordinary citizens taking to mass protests to voice their discontent at a more systemic, rather than governmental, level.

ENERGY SECURITY: Fukushima crisis: Can Japan be at the forefront of an authentic paradigm shift? Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (9 September 2011)

Schneider argues that impact of the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster on nearby areas in Japan and on global perceptions of nuclear power means that the public is no longer willing to accept the low risk but high potential damage of nuclear accidents.  Additions of renewable energy generation exceed additions of nuclear capacity.  Investors are questioning the financial viability of new nuclear plants. A shift to a new energy paradigm may be near.

AUSTRAL SECURITY: Australia’s Afghan plan on track, says Smith, SMH (5 October 2011)

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has brushed aside a recent spate of Taliban suicide bombings and assassinations, saying security in the Australian zone of operations in Oruzgan province continues to improve.

 

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