Nuclear Fallout?
A revealing study for the British Science Festival into the UK’s attitudes to nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster, has shown a striking gender split that has set men and women at opposite ends of the spectrum on this controversial issue.
While 37% of the UK population support the use of nuclear power for producing energy in the UK, there is a huge gulf between the opinions of the different sexes, with 53% of men in favour of this compared to only 21% of women. In contrast, those who are against using nuclear power for producing energy in the UK include some 39% of women but only 23% of men- averaging out as 31% of the UK population.
The disagreements don’t stop there, as the research shows that as well as gender, social class and age pits you at polar opposites, with the A and B socioeconomic groups and those aged over 55 supporting the use of nuclear power, while the C1, C2 D and E groups and those aged 18-44 much less tolerant of the technology.
The Fukushima effect?
Using tracking data from the Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain Survey conducted by Cardiff University, we have found that in 2005, 59% of the UK population were fairly or very concerned about nuclear power, but this dropped to 54% in 2010 and surprisingly 47% in 2011. Furthermore, those listed being not very or not at all concerned about nuclear has seen a steady increase from 38% in 2005 to 42% in 2010 and stands at 45% in 2011.
This result is very interesting- it seems to indicate that Fukushima has had absolutely no impact on the continuing decline in the public’s concern about nuclear power.
Furthermore, the number of people who think we should build more nuclear power stations has risen dramatically since 2005, with 23% agreeing with this today, compared with only 9% in 2005. In fact, a poll taken shortly before the Fukushima disaster showed that 17% agreed with this, so since then there is actually greater support for the construction nuclear power stations.
Moreover, those who think we should shut down all nuclear power stations immediately and not replace them has fallen consistently from 15% in 2005 to 13% in 2010 and today lies at just 11%, demonstrating a strong stiff upper lip from the British people in spite of a highly publicised major nuclear incident earlier in the year.
Keep calm and carry on.
Those who agree that the benefits of nuclear outweigh the risks are increasing steadily from 32% in 2005 to 38% in 2010 and now 41% in 2011, while those who feel the opposite are shrinking from 41% in 2005 to 36% in 2010 and now stands at only 28% in 2011. 58% of men believe that the benefits of nuclear outweigh the risks, compared to only 25% of women.
The study has highlighted that the wartime motto ‘Keep calm and carry on’ is still very much part of the British spirit.
This was further demonstrated when Brits were asked if they thought that Germany had overreacted to the Fukushima incident when they took the decision to close all of their nuclear power stations by 2022. 51% of the UK disagreed with Germany’s decision here, but male bravado played a big part in this result, with 65% of men thinking Germany overreacted while 63% of women thought that they didn’t over react. There was exactly the same split between the oldest and youngest respondents, with 63% of younger people also agreeing with Germany’s reaction.
Duck and cover
If something on the scale of the Fukushima disaster was to happen on home soil, only 31% of the UK population are confident that we are prepared to handle a major nuclear incident in one of our existing nuclear facilities.
Mother Earth.
When asked where they would like the majority of future investment in the UK’s energy resources to be allocated, of all the options, 29% of women favoured solar power. Men would prefer nuclear at 30%, with 21% favouring solar. In contrast only 8% of women want nuclear to receive the most investment. Again, this highlights the strength of the gender divide on this issue, with women strongly favouring renewable resources.
Scientists say…
In a strong endorsement of the science community, 70% of the UK population would trust independent scientists or scientists working within the energy industry the most to tell the truth about nuclear energy.
This is far above the other groups, with the UK Government and the Media trailing behind at 4% and 3% respectively.
Money talks
The UK population has shown itself to be a lot more accepting of the construction of new nuclear power stations to tackle energy security issues rather than climate change, in a surprising result that shows we are currently more worried about rising energy prices and guaranteeing supplies than tackling climate change.
Support for the construction of nuclear power stations as a resolution for climate change has dropped back to 2005 levels at 54% of the UK public supporting this, but the number of people who support the construction of nuclear power plants to ensure energy security has risen since 2010, from 56% to 61%, with those disagreeing to their construction for this end dropping substantially from 27% to 20%.
In 2011, 20% of the UK population would agree to spending more than £10 a month to ensure their electricity came from renewables, but in 2010 this was 31%.
It seems that the public are in favour of a mixed nuclear and renewable solution to the UK’s future energy needs, and energy security is a stronger motivation than climate change. People are willing to spend an average of £3.69 extra per month to ensure that their energy comes primarily from renewables, while less than three in ten (29%) would accept paying extra for a primarily nuclear energy supply.
The British Science Festival will take place in Bradford from 10th-15th September, giving members of the public the chance to explore the latest in science technology and engineering, and meet researchers face-to-face.
While 37% of the UK population support the use of nuclear power for producing energy in the UK, there is a huge gulf between the opinions of the different sexes, with 53% of men in favour of this compared to only 21% of women. In contrast, those who are against using nuclear power for producing energy in the UK include some 39% of women but only 23% of men- averaging out as 31% of the UK population.
The disagreements don’t stop there, as the research shows that as well as gender, social class and age pits you at polar opposites, with the A and B socioeconomic groups and those aged over 55 supporting the use of nuclear power, while the C1, C2 D and E groups and those aged 18-44 much less tolerant of the technology.
The Fukushima effect?
Using tracking data from the Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain Survey conducted by Cardiff University, we have found that in 2005, 59% of the UK population were fairly or very concerned about nuclear power, but this dropped to 54% in 2010 and surprisingly 47% in 2011. Furthermore, those listed being not very or not at all concerned about nuclear has seen a steady increase from 38% in 2005 to 42% in 2010 and stands at 45% in 2011.
This result is very interesting- it seems to indicate that Fukushima has had absolutely no impact on the continuing decline in the public’s concern about nuclear power.
Furthermore, the number of people who think we should build more nuclear power stations has risen dramatically since 2005, with 23% agreeing with this today, compared with only 9% in 2005. In fact, a poll taken shortly before the Fukushima disaster showed that 17% agreed with this, so since then there is actually greater support for the construction nuclear power stations.
Moreover, those who think we should shut down all nuclear power stations immediately and not replace them has fallen consistently from 15% in 2005 to 13% in 2010 and today lies at just 11%, demonstrating a strong stiff upper lip from the British people in spite of a highly publicised major nuclear incident earlier in the year.
Keep calm and carry on.
Those who agree that the benefits of nuclear outweigh the risks are increasing steadily from 32% in 2005 to 38% in 2010 and now 41% in 2011, while those who feel the opposite are shrinking from 41% in 2005 to 36% in 2010 and now stands at only 28% in 2011. 58% of men believe that the benefits of nuclear outweigh the risks, compared to only 25% of women.
The study has highlighted that the wartime motto ‘Keep calm and carry on’ is still very much part of the British spirit.
This was further demonstrated when Brits were asked if they thought that Germany had overreacted to the Fukushima incident when they took the decision to close all of their nuclear power stations by 2022. 51% of the UK disagreed with Germany’s decision here, but male bravado played a big part in this result, with 65% of men thinking Germany overreacted while 63% of women thought that they didn’t over react. There was exactly the same split between the oldest and youngest respondents, with 63% of younger people also agreeing with Germany’s reaction.
Duck and cover
If something on the scale of the Fukushima disaster was to happen on home soil, only 31% of the UK population are confident that we are prepared to handle a major nuclear incident in one of our existing nuclear facilities.
Mother Earth.
When asked where they would like the majority of future investment in the UK’s energy resources to be allocated, of all the options, 29% of women favoured solar power. Men would prefer nuclear at 30%, with 21% favouring solar. In contrast only 8% of women want nuclear to receive the most investment. Again, this highlights the strength of the gender divide on this issue, with women strongly favouring renewable resources.
Scientists say…
In a strong endorsement of the science community, 70% of the UK population would trust independent scientists or scientists working within the energy industry the most to tell the truth about nuclear energy.
This is far above the other groups, with the UK Government and the Media trailing behind at 4% and 3% respectively.
Money talks
The UK population has shown itself to be a lot more accepting of the construction of new nuclear power stations to tackle energy security issues rather than climate change, in a surprising result that shows we are currently more worried about rising energy prices and guaranteeing supplies than tackling climate change.
Support for the construction of nuclear power stations as a resolution for climate change has dropped back to 2005 levels at 54% of the UK public supporting this, but the number of people who support the construction of nuclear power plants to ensure energy security has risen since 2010, from 56% to 61%, with those disagreeing to their construction for this end dropping substantially from 27% to 20%.
In 2011, 20% of the UK population would agree to spending more than £10 a month to ensure their electricity came from renewables, but in 2010 this was 31%.
It seems that the public are in favour of a mixed nuclear and renewable solution to the UK’s future energy needs, and energy security is a stronger motivation than climate change. People are willing to spend an average of £3.69 extra per month to ensure that their energy comes primarily from renewables, while less than three in ten (29%) would accept paying extra for a primarily nuclear energy supply.
The British Science Festival will take place in Bradford from 10th-15th September, giving members of the public the chance to explore the latest in science technology and engineering, and meet researchers face-to-face.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Ollie Christophers– 020 7019 4946
ollie.christophers@britishscienceassociation.org
1. About the British Science Festival
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops. The Festival takes place at a different location each year and the 2011 festival will take place from 10-15 September hosted by Bradford University. For further information, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/festival.
2. Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain Survey
The 2005 and 2010 tracking data came from the ‘Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Futures in Britain’
Summary Findings of a Survey Conducted from January to March 2010
Understanding Risk Working Paper 10-01 2010
Alexa Spence, Dan Venables, Nick Pidgeon, and Christina Demsk from the School of Psychology, Cardiff University, and Wouter Poortinga from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University.
3. Images of the British Science Festival can be obtained from the British Science Association Press Office.
4. About the British Science Association
The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org
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