Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007

Radioactive Flyer

International safeguards for nuclear materials are flawed, says report

As nuclear energy enjoys a renaissance as a touted climate-change fix, a new report identifies significant flaws in the international safeguards meant to keep nuclear materials in reactors (as opposed to, say, the hands of illegal bomb makers). A two-year study by the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center concludes that the International Atomic Energy Agency is ill-funded for its important task of supervising a rapidly increasing volume of nuclear material that could potentially be used for weapons. In addition, says NPEC, the IAEA overestimates the necessary amount of nuclear material to make a weapon, and also overestimates its own safeguarding success. In fact, NPEC suggests that keeping a proper eye on nuclear plants is nigh unto impossible, pointing out that material stuck in piping -- often many bombs' worth -- is difficult to keep track of and can go unaccounted for. On top of that, some countries (cough, cough, Iran) have a history of lying to inspectors. Sounds like the rest of the world could use some of President Bush's safe, clean nuclear power right about now.

Move Your Bloomin' Ash

Curbing air pollution from coal plants can lead to more ash in landfills

The growing pressure to clean up emissions from coal-fired power plants is good for air quality, but it's got a sooty lining: pollution capture could end up filling landfills with millions more tons of toxic ash. More than one-third of the ash currently generated by coal plants is recycled for other uses, but the chemicals commonly used to capture pollutants out of coal-plant emissions change the composition of ash, often making it unusable. To the landfill it goes; the U.S. EPA does not classify coal ash as hazardous waste, even though it naturally contains arsenic and mercury, which can seep into groundwater. Equipment to remove pollutants without making ash unusable is available but can be up to four times more expensive for coal plants, and your health is totally not worth that much.

Ferry Ferry, Quite Contrary

Hawaii's first-ever inter-island ferry service comes under protest

Hawaii's first-ever inter-island passenger ferry service set off this weekend amidst protests that it could harm marine life, spread invasive species, and worsen pollution. The docking of the ferry's second voyage was delayed by a dozen steamed surfers, while hundreds more protesters stood on the island seawall shouting and carrying signs. (Perhaps most eloquent: "Stupid ferry, stupid riders.") Hawaii's Supreme Court had ruled Thursday that the state should have required an environmental review before letting the Hawaii Superferry go forward; in response, the ferry service moved its maiden voyage up by two days and offered $5 one-way tickets from Oahu to Maui and Kauai. (After Sept. 4, the price will jump to more than $240 round trip for one passenger and one car.) Three green groups have sued. On Monday, a state judge agreed to temporarily block the ferry from using Maui's Kahului Harbor. A hearing tomorrow will determine whether the ferry will be halted for good until environmental impact studies can be conducted. Ferry ports on the islands of Oahu and Kauai are unaffected by Monday's ruling.

Sudan Impact

Lack of water in northern Sudan refugee camps threaten tens of thousands

Many of the refugees who fled war in Sudan's Darfur region have ended up in refugee camps that are now straining to maintain water supplies in the arid region. In June, a United Nations report indicated that the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 200,000 people and made some 2.5 million others homeless, began in part as an agricultural skirmish over water supplies and that climate change was likely to increase water scarcity. Refugees use available water supplies for more than just drinking though. One of the only sources of income in the camps is making and selling mud bricks, which is a relatively water-intensive process. And the impending arrival of a 20,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force to the region is expected to tax water supplies still further. "Not having any clear vision of when exactly the population will be able to go back to their homes, there is no question that the water needs are going to increase," said the U.N.'s Antoine Gerard.

Classy Consciousness

Honda to release unique-looking hybrid for conspicuous greens

Honda plans to make its hybrid cars more visible by 2009 by redesigning their exterior to stand out from the rest of its models. One of the reasons Honda has been trailing hybrid-market leader Toyota by such a large margin, according to industry analysts, is the Toyota Prius' unique shape that helps the public identify it as different from Toyota's other offerings. And, consumers hope, the people inside the Prius also stand out as unique and eco-friendlier. "Owning a hybrid is all about saying 'Look at what I'm doing for the world,'" says auto analyst John Wolkonowicz of Global Insight. "If you can't say that, the whole purchase is a waste of time." Honda says its redesigned 2009 hybrids will be five-seater cars sold for about $22,000 -- about $1,000 less than a Prius. Honda VP John Mendel admits Toyota has marketed more successfully so far. "The Prius has become synonymous with hybrid; it's the Kleenex of hybrids." Presumably that's a reference to the deep brand-product tie and not a comment on snotty Prius owners. Or maybe it is.