Global
Online Launch of the first Uranium Atlas
Thursday
16 July 2020, 19:00 - 2030 Central European Summer Time
(CEST)
The
Uranium Atlas tells the global story of uranium through maps, graphics and
narratives covering every phase of the uranium fuel chain. The raw material of
the Atomic Age was or is mostly mined in African countries, Australia,
Kazakhstan and Canada, and the consequences for the inhabitants of these mining
areas have been fatal from the very beginning. The victims of global nuclear
colonialism are mostly Indigenous peoples whose voices remain
unheard.
July 16 is
seared in the memory of New Mexicans: On July 16, 1945, at 5:30 in the morning,
scientists from Los Alamos detonated Trinity, the first atomic bomb, in the
White Sands desert. On July 16, 1979, at 5:30 in the morning, the tailings dam
of the Church Rock uranium mill broke, contaminating the drinking water of the
Diné (Navajo) people.
We
dedicate the launch of the Uranium Atlas to all the victims of July
16.
Despite
the disastrous consequences of mining, arms testing and nuclear disasters,
Europe, with 124 nuclear reactors, remains the world’s largest consumer of
uranium, while North America is home to another 114 reactors. Not even the
economic fiasco of new reactors has been able to sufficiently weaken the nuclear
lobby. Uranium mining continues and could be expanded in North America, Africa
and elsewhere. Meanwhile, radioactive waste – 350,000 tonnes worldwide – keeps
piling up with no safe place to go. These and every aspect of uranium’s use –
and abuse – are highlighted in the Uranium Atlas and will be presented during
the event, which will include a question and answer session with the
audience.
The
international guests participating in this event are: Makoma Lekalakala
(Earthlife Africa, South Africa), Ian Zabarte (Western Shoshone Nation, USA),
Sascha Hach (Nuclear Free Future Foundation, Germany) and Anna Rondon (New
Mexico Social Justice and Equity Institute, Navajo Nation, USA). There will be
additional recorded statements from Tina Cordova (Trinity Downwinders, USA) and
Larry King (Navajo Nation, USA).
The online
launch will be hosted by Linda Pentz Gunter (Beyond Nuclear, USA) and Claus
Biegert (Nuclear Free Future Foundation, Germany). It is jointly co-organized by
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Nuclear Free Future Foundation, Beyond Nuclear, IPPNW,
oekoem e.V. and Münchener Zukunftssalon.
Thursday
16 July 2020, 19:00 - 2030 Central European Summer Time
(CEST)
Contact
Franza
Drechsel,
Senior
Advisor and Project Manager for West Africa
Phone: +49
30 44310
445