Tokyo anti-nuclear rally draws thousands

An estimated 60,000 people have taken to the streets of Tokyo in the the largest anti-nuclear demonstration since the Fukushima nuclear meltdown six months ago. They are calling on the Japanese government to end what they describe as their country's "addiction to nuclear power", but prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has signalled that Japan needs nuclear energy. Organisers, who had hoped 50,000 people would turn up, said protesters converged from all parts of the country, including from the fallout zone in Fukushima. "This protest is an expression of Japanese public opinion. And what we are saying is that we don't need nuclear power plants. We have to change to renewable energy," Fukishima resident Toshikazu Kogure said. Also among the crowd was a group of fashion designers as well as a homeless association, celebrities, office workers, and housewives. And at times, the speeches brought many to tears. "The Fukushima disaster has made all Japanese very worried. We have to find new energy sources and stop our reliance on nuclear. That's why 60,000 people have gathered here," protester Keiko Kimigaki said. After rallying and chanting in a Tokyo park, the protesters hit the streets. And they kept on coming. Their march stretched back over several city blocks.

Solar plans for coal-fired power stations

Scientists and engineers have drawn up plans to convert Port Augusta's two coal-fired powered stations to solar thermal plants. Non-government organisation Beyond Zero Emissions will meet South Australia's Energy Minister Michael O'Brien this week to discuss the two stations' potential for conversion to solar. Mark Ooges from the organisation says most equipment and staff would be kept under the plan. "In a sense a solar thermal power plant is exactly the same as a thermal coal plant, the only difference is to produce the heat you use mirrors to concentrate the sun's energy rather than burning coal," he said. Mr Ooges says converting the power stations from coal to gas would be too costly. "As Australia starts exporting a whole lot of LNG (liquefied natural gas), gas prices are going to be linked to global prices so if we link our electricity generation to gas prices then we'll start getting the same volatility and uncertainty at the power switch that we're already getting at the petrol pump," he said. Alinta's Playford B station at Port Augusta is expected to close under any carbon tax scheme.

Climate debate hitting new lows: scientist

Australia's chief scientist says climate change debate continues to hit new lows as the government's contentious carbon pricing scheme fuels the fire for political division. Professor Ian Chubb wants politicians to consider compelling evidence that human activity has adversely affected the climate through global warming. He says while it's important people have different views about climate science, there are concerns about the level of threats sent to those working in the field. "Every time I think it's reached a low, we then go on and reach a new low," Professor Chubb has told ABC Television's Four Corners Program. "And I think that's of very little benefits to us as we're trying to grapple with what is a very serious problem that needs serious discussion. "I would urge politicians to look at all the evidence and to wonder why it might be that something like 32 national academies of science all around the world are all saying that it's very likely that human activity has adversely affected our climate through global warming." One scientist told the program he and some of his colleagues had received threats of violence. Professor Will Steffen from the Australian National University's Climate Change Institute says some were direct threats of violence, while others were "simply very nasty emails with veiled threats in them that what might happen to us in a very general way".

Source: Green Times