Environmental Debates over Nuclear Energy: Media, Communication, and the Public

Abstract

Environmental debates over nuclear energy often center around two polarized sets of argumentsthe potential benefits of nuclear energy as a clean way of producing energy, helping to mitigate climate change and the concerns over the possibility of ionizing radiation release and nuclear waste contamination of the environment. As a form of clean energy, the environmental benefits of nuclear energy can be attributed to its low carbon emission (International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], 2014;Lovelock, 2004;Monbiot, 2009). On the other hand, previous nuclear accidents have triggered concerns about the possibility of ionizing radiation leaks and nuclear waste contamination to the environment (IAEA, 2014). The debates over nuclear energy are further compounded by arguments over other potential benefits of nuclear energy such as reliable energy production, economic competitiveness and stable electricity prices, and the potential adverse effects of nuclear energy such as the possible proliferation of nuclear weapons and the high upfront costs of nuclear power plants (IAEA, 2014). In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear incident in Japan, many nations such as Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland decided to phase out nuclear power, but nations such as China, India, Finland, the UK, and the US are planning or already building new nuclear energy plants Li et al., 2016). For example, analysis of news media coverage in the aftermath of these nuclear accidents showed that the low carbon emission benefit of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change was greatly deemphasized in the media, while the potential threat of ionizing radiation from nuclear power plants to human health and the environment were given the heavy spotlight (Friedman, 2011;Kristiansen, 2017). These eventdriven studies collectively point to how a nuclear energy accident triggers the mass media to devote heavy attention to nuclear energy and its detrimental potential.A large body of research has also looked at the general public as a key stakeholder, analyzing how various social, psychological, and demographic factors shape public perceptions of nuclear energy. Generally, these studies, mostly based in North America and Europe, have shown that key factors including benefit perceptions

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“…This is in line with (Keating et al 2011) in the public acceptance having the potential to influence the technology adoption. Nevertheless, the findings are also in-line with the reverse logic by supporting the notion that technology related communication may influence the public acceptance (Ho and Kristiansen, 2019). Hence, the findings support (Scheufele, 1999) in the media playing a role.…”

“…The public acceptance can influence the technology adoption (Keating et al 2011). Also, the media and technology related communication may influence the public acceptance (Ho and Kristiansen, 2019). There has been debate concerning mass media and its effect, and the influence of any media, since the technology introduction, and the assumption has been that the media does play a role (Scheufele, 1999).…”

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“…Unexpected events, terrorist attacks or wrong decisions taken during the management of a nuclear plant may cause a big nuclear explosion into the surrounding communities that directly threatens the environment (Adamantiades and Kessides, 2009). The risks associated with nuclear power, such as the radioactive waste produced by nuclear plants and the possibility of a catastrophic accident, are a serious threat not only to the environment but also to the public (Ho and Kristiansen, 2019). Nuclear events release dangerous materials into the air that people breathe and other water resources, such as the marine environment (i Batlle et al, 2018).…”

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“…In this regard, intermittent renewable energy sources (IRES; e.g., wind, solar, and tidal power) are generally safe and, therefore, interesting candidates. Conversely, nuclear technologies can provide energy in copious amounts [ 5 ] but are plagued by safety concerns and waste management issues [ 6 ]. The efficient use of IRES requires the development of energy storage systems [ 7 ], as exemplified by the field of transportation, e.g., vehicles cannot be practically powered by IRES directly.…”