Opposition at the lowest level ever found by Ipsos-Mori, and support at the highest
– By Linton Levy –
These revelations came at the PIME 2009 conference for communications professionals in the nuclear industry, organised the European Nuclear Society (ENS) and held in Edinburgh. PIME, the conference on Public Information Materials Exchange, is the annual focal point for professional nuclear communicators all around the world. It is the only conference of its kind designed especially for communicators in the nuclear industry and research communities – a unique international meeting that has grown in value and stature year-on-year.
The PIME program revolves around a series of plenary sessions and interactive workshops. In 2009 key topics on the PIME debating table will, among other things, include public acceptance, communications on nuclear waste and transport as well as crisis communications. PIME is simply a 'must' for all nuclear public information specialists wishing to enhance and share their know-how and explore possible new strategies.
The PIME 2009 conference heard from a number of industry professsionals including Robert Knight of Ipsos-Mori, who presented some changes in public opinion on nuclear power during the last year in the UK.
During 2008, opposition to nuclear power "collapsed" to 19%, putting opposition at the lowest level ever found by Ipsos-Mori, and support at the highest. Net support was found from women for replacement nuclear build (30% for; 23% against) for the first time. Overall, some 40% support expansion of nuclear sector with 24% against, but this was mainly due to male attitudes. Fifty-nine percent of men support nuclear power, but only 30% of women.