Module B1 Study Book - the Graduate School of the Environment

energy efficient as a nation and developing renewable energy sources.”
They were then asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with a series
of statements.
The other half or so of the sample was not presented with any arguments at
all, and respondents on this half sample or so were also asked (without any
pre-amble) to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the same series of
statements.
Then their answers to the question “To what extent do you agree or disagree
with the following statements?” was as below. In each case, the two numbers
after each question are the % agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement
in question, firstly those who had read the ‘introductory statement’, and
secondly those who did not.
Interesting to see in which areas having read the statements in the box made
a difference . . .
A. The risks of nuclear power are greater than those of climate change 35
35
B. It is better to accept nuclear power than to live with the consequences of
climate change 44 38
C. I am willing to accept the building of new nuclear power stations if it would
help to tackle climate change 55 53
D. We shouldn’t think of nuclear power as a solution for climate change
before exploring all other energy options 73 75
E. Promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is a
better way of tackling climate change than nuclear power 78 78
F. Reducing energy use through lifestyle changes and energy efficiency is a
better way of tackling climate change than nuclear power 74 78
G. We need nuclear power because renewable energy sources alone are not
able to meet our electricity needs 49 47
H. Britain needs a mix of energy sources to ensure a reliable supply of
electricity, including nuclear power and renewable energy sources 65 62
I. If we had safer nuclear power stations, I’d be prepared to support new
ones being built 53 52
J. It doesn’t matter what we think of nuclear power. Nuclear power stations
will be built anyway. 62 62
K. I am willing to support the continuation of current nuclear power stations
provided that renewable energy sources are developed and used at the
same time 60 61
L. We should stop using nuclear power stations because we do not know
how to store radioactive waste safely 44 44
• ALSO SEE, May 06:, FOR THE USA, http://www.resultsforamerica.
org/ for some interesting poll results from over there.
• EUROPE, end-2006: The European Parliament has voted [October
06] to dedicate two thirds of the non-nuclear energy research budget
to renewable energy and energy efficiency, under the EU’s Seventh
Framework Programme for Research (FP7).
Renewables and energy efficiency research would equal about €226m per
annum. However, the European Parliament has no legislative powers in the
Lecture: Nuclear Power 61