Downloads related to "Environment"

Two medical organisations have called for a carbon audit of the large-scale Talisman Sabre joint US-Australian military exercises beginning in Central Queensland on Monday 6 July 2009. The Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEAⁱ) say that climate change caused by carbon emissions poses an overwhelming threat to the health and security of all Australians, and all contributions to the problem – including our military activities – must be assessed. Embargoed until Sunday 5 July.

In co-operation with Friends of the Earth, Dr Sue Wareham, the president of MAPW, will be speaking about the effects war has on the environment.

28 MAY 2009. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser addresses the National Consultative Committee on Disarmament Conference in Wellington. Mr Fraser spoke about the continous threat of nuclear possession and noted that we cannot divide nuclear weapons into those for use and those for deterence. Negotiating a Nuclear Weapons Convention would bring together all the neccessary aspects of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and the time is right for complete abolition.
 

This presentation presents key points on carbon emissions and other environmental impacts involved in production of nuclear power; other risks; and sustainable alternatives. More detail is included as notes and references. (A longer version has more slides.) Prepared by La Trobe University student Courtney Deaⁱns, for MAPW, with support from Dr Bill Williams and Dr Jim Green.

In this report, MAPW President Dr Sue Wareham, argues that nuclear weapons represent mankind’s ultimate confrontation with the natural environment that sustains us. Areas covered include nuclear accidents, nuclear waste and the effects of nuclear tests. Prepared for the Biosensitive Futures website of the Nature and Society Forum, November 2008.

War and preparations for war have a devastating impact on the environment. Pollutants, depleted uranium, landmines and unexploded ordnance, and intentional environmental vandalism are major problems. Water, the use of fossil fuels, and carbon emissions are three other issues outlined in this fact sheet: No 6 in a series on the global weapons trade.

MAPW member Dr W.M.Castleden is Chair of Doctors for the Environment. His submission to the Garnaut Climate Change Review discussed the carbon emissions of the military, and suggested that reducing defence budgets and promoting peaceable co-existence should form part of the global response to climate change. (This two-page document contains the relevant portions).

This report prepared by Friends of the Earth (FoEⁱ)  and supported by MAPW and other groups critiques the argument that nuclear power is a solution to climate change, and documents its hazards for security, the environment and human health. (Summary: full report available at FoEⁱ website).