Beyond Nuclear - Uranium Atlas

Uranium Atlas

The Uranium Atlas, the first ever map of the world of uranium, published in 2020, looks at everywhere uranium was mined and processed, then how and where it was used, and who suffered as a result. The inescapable conclusion is that the uranium pathway has led us down a slippery slope — to nuclear weapons, nuclear power, and long-lived radioactive waste. And to global discrimination against Indigenous peoples and communities of color.

The Uranium Atlas is a co-publication of the Nuclear Free Future Foundation, Beyond Nuclear, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. As its title suggests, the Atlas maps out the pathway of uranium and the harm it has caused — predominantly to Indigenous peoples at the beginning and end of the uranium story, and to people of color and minorities, during its use for nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.

The Uranium Atlas was first published in German (Uran Atlas). Now it has been revised and adapted for an English language version. Please download a copy of the Uranium Atlas (English) here.

If you would prefer to order printed copies of the Uranium Atlas, please contact Beyond Nuclear. Copies are free but donations are welcome.

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Tuesday

Jul142020

Uranium Atlas July 16 online launch: Watch the livestream!

July 14, 2020

LEAVE URANIUM IN THE GROUND!

Global Online Launch of the first Uranium Atlas (English edition)

July 16, 2020 - 1pm Eastern US time

The English edition of the Uranium Atlas officially launches on July 16! Please join this online event with special guests by clicking on: www.rosalux.de/livestream.

The Uranium Atlas is free to download or to post to your website. View or download here.

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. Only 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 Dine people.

We dedicate the launch of the Uranium Atlas to all the victims of July 16.

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), and Anna Randon (Navajo Nation, USA). There will be additional recorded statements from Tina Cordova (Trinity Downwinders, USA) and Larry King (Navajo Nation, USA).

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 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 misuse – 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 online launch will be hosted by Linda Pentz Gunter (Beyond Nuclear, USA) and Claus Biegert (Nuclear Free Future Foundation, Germany).

Please join us by clicking this link: www.rosalux.de/livestream.

The Uranium Atlas is now available for free download. You can also order printed copies from Beyond Nuclear. It is in the "commons" and therefore you may also upload and feature it on your organizational websites.

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