The data reveal that most people believe that promoting renewable energy
sources (78%), and reducing energy use through lifestyle changes and
energy efficiency (76%), are better ways of tackling climate change than
nuclear power.
Part of the government's impending energy review will consider whether the
UK needs to replace its aging nuclear power stations as one way toward
achieving its climate change objectives.
Professor Nick Pidgeon, who led the survey research team, explained that
"the government has already recognized the need to take public
acceptability into account when exploring our future energy options." He
added, "The survey findings suggest that, given the numbers who are still
opposed to renewal of nuclear power, there remains considerable potential
for conflict around this issue."
A few of the detailed survey findings on public sentiment about climate
change follow:
-- 62% of respondents indicated that every possible action should be taken
to limit climate change, and a further 32% that some action should be
taken. The public believes changes in behavior to reduce energy
consumption (69%), and expanding use of renewables (68%) and of energy
efficient technologies (54%) are the best ways of tackling climate change.
-- 34% of adults now think that Britain's existing nuclear power stations
should be replaced, while the same proportion do not want them replaced
when they reach the end of their lives. Only 9% want to see the number of
nuclear stations increased, while 15% would close all existing stations
today.
-- 54% of people would be willing to accept the building of new nuclear
power stations if it would help to tackle climate change, and 48% agreed
that the nation needs nuclear power because renewables alone are not able
to meet its electricity needs.
The survey was carried out jointly by researchers from the Centre for
Environmental Risk and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at
the University of East Anglia, in conjunction with Ipsos MORI. Research
was jointly funded by The Leverhulme Trust (www.leverhulme.org.uk), the
Economic and Social Research Council (www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk) and The
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (www.tyndall.ac.uk).