Nuclear energy and the public : risk perception, attitudes and behaviour

Abstract

What is the basic message which can be derived from the results of the survey? First, it appears impossible to persuade the anti-nuclear activists to give up their views and change their attitude. But one can require them to develop alternative plans for the future supply of energy which will demonstrate the consequences that would arise if nuclear energy were not to be developed. But the main activity should be to reassure those already convinced and to continue the dialogue with those still undecided by handling the nuclear debate efficiently. As a recommendation for continuing the dialogue between proponents and opponents of nuclear energy, we consider it necessary that the topics of such conversations should be oriented rather towards the perceived results of nuclear energy utilization than to the discussion of expected levels of risk, which are in any case little contested. At present, the following problems appear to us to be of panicular relevance: the economic advantages of using nuclear energy; the containment and management of disasters; loss of freedom through the need to safeguard against sabotage and terrorism; the long-term aspects of nuclear energy utilization (e.g. storage of radioactive waste). The negative pre-weighting of nuclear energy risks may be overcome only if the role of nuclear energy in providing for the quality of life of future generations can be illustrated more clearly.