What do you think about nuclear energy?An opinion poll among Czech studentsJanuary 2004

Marie Dufkova, Czech Power Company CEZ

What do you think about the connection between the standard of living and

energy consumption ?

5.42%

41.16%

53.42%

if we want to improve the standard of living, the energy consumption must inevitably increase

standard of living can improve without increasing energy consumption

if we want to reduce energy consumption, the standard of living must inevitably drop

Which energy source is the final solution to the energy demand of

humankind?

38.77%

4.10%

57.13%

Sun, wind, sea

nuclear energy - fission and fusion

fossil fuels

What do you think about nuclear power industry in the Czech Republic?

58.29%

27.73%

13.98%its share should decrease

its share should increase

its share should remain the same

What is the main advantage of nuclear energy?

19.76%

17.42%

62.82%

it does not produce any greenhouse gasses that cause global warming

raw materials for nuclear fuel are relatively abundant

coal and petroleum are too precious raw materials to be combusted unnecessarily

What is the main disadvantage of the nuclear power industry?

64.80% 7.07%

28.13% risk of accident

large investments

nuclear waste

Arguments of nuclear opponents:

65.84%

12.57%

21.59% are justified

are not justified cannot be overlooked

Humankind should prioritise energy sources which:

4.59%

13.78%

81.63%

generate minimum pollution

ensure the longest possible production of energy

generate the most cost-effective energy

What is the most serious risk for the future of humanity?

22.79%

17.62%

59.59%

global warming

lack of energy sources

growing population

Which three environmental changes do you regard as the most serious issues?

60.61

52.05

14.53

15.02

37.39

21.88

80.84

radioactive contamination resulting from nuclear power plant accident

damaged ozone layer

acid rains

climatic changes

sea pollution

shrinkage of virgin nature

spreading of deserts

Do you know why and how the Chernobyl accident occurred?

57.41%

22.14% 20.45% as a result of technology failure

I don´t know

a series of subsequent mistakes on the part of the servicing personnel

44.14% 14.81%

27.22%

13.83%

Are you afraid that there could be a nuclear accident in the Czech Republic?

yes

probably not

no

probably yes

Which of the following substances does not contain natural radioactivity?

15.91%

9.51%

8.86%

11.92%

45.11%

8.68%

coal

human body

drinkable water

radon

meat at a slaughterhouse

no answer

Which of the following options exposes us to the strongest dosage of ionising

radiation?

17.74%

5.87%

58.09%

18.30%

single X-ray examination

1-year sojourn in the proximity of a nuclear power plant

1-year sojourn in a building made of concrete

5-hour airplane flight at 10 000 metres

When choosing an electricity supplier, you prefer someone who:

46.99%

7.38%

45.63%

supplies the cheapest electricity

does not supply electricity generated by nuclear power plants

ensures reliable supply without dropouts

Comparing the results of the 2003 and 1993 opinion polls

1992-3, JAERI opinion poll, 1030 students aged 15 – 18, Czechoslovakia

2003, ČEZ opinion poll, 2000 students aged 13 – 18, Czech Republic

comparing the results

“connection between the standard of living and energy consumption“

0 20 40 60 80

increasing standard ofliving does not

necessarily entailincreased energy

consumption

decrease in energyconsumption lowersthe standard of living

standard of living canbe improved without

increasing energyconsumption

1993

2003

comparing the results

“Which type of energy source has the strongest future potential?“

0 20 40 60 80 100

alternative

nuclear

fossil

19932003

comparing the results

“share of nuclear energy industry in the Czech Republic“

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

reduce

keep the same

increase

don´t know

1993

2003

comparing the results

“advantages of nuclear energy - - why it should be developed“

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

nuclear power plantsdo not generate anygreenhouse gasses

coal and petroleum willbecome scarce in the

future

19932003

comparing the results

“disadvantages of nuclear energy – why be against it?“

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

risk of accident (or: I amnot sure about the

safety)

1993

2003

comparing the results

“the most significant environmental changes“

0 20 40 60 80 100

ozone hole

radioactivity caused by accidents of nuclearpower plants

acid rains

climatic changes

sea pollution

shrinking virgin nature

spreading deserts

1993

2003

comparing the results

“Which source exposes us to the strongest radiation?“

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

don´t know

nuclear power plant instandard operation

concrete building

X ray and othermedical treatment

airplane flight at thealtitude of 10 km

food

1993

2003

Thank you for your attention

www.cez.cz