As the debate over Australia’s energy future intensifies, a recent survey has revealed a significant unease among the population regarding the prospect of nuclear power plants being constructed in their vicinity.
The findings, shared exclusively with The Guardian Australia, come at a critical juncture as the Coalition government seeks to revitalise its campaign with promises of taxpayer-funded nuclear reactors across seven sites in the country.
The Coalition’s vision for a ‘reliable’ power grid hinges on the integration of nuclear energy, which they argue offers more dependability than renewable sources backed by storage solutions like batteries and pumped-hydro, with gas as a supplementary option.
Despite their commitment to a two-and-a-half-year consultation process, there’s a palpable sense of discontent brewing among some Nationals constituents and community groups who feel their apprehensions are being dismissed and are frustrated by the lack of power to veto nuclear plants in their areas.
The National Climate Action Survey, conducted by researchers at Griffith and Monash universities, paints a clear picture of the public’s sentiment.
When participants were asked about the possibility of a nuclear plant being built within 50 kilometres of their homes, the response was overwhelmingly apprehensive: nearly 10% were concerned, 16% very concerned, and a striking 38.8% extremely concerned.
In stark contrast, about 80% of respondents viewed wind and solar power favourably with the majority expressing little to no concern if such renewable energy farms were established nearby.
This previously unpublished data, collected in December, is part of a comprehensive survey that delves into over 300 questions, exploring the sources of information on climate change, personal impacts from natural disasters, and the behavioural changes Australians are willing to make.
Associate Professor Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, one of the survey’s architects, aims to gauge ‘the ways in which Australians are thinking about climate change and [climate] action.’ The survey results suggest a heightened awareness of the local environmental implications of developing fossil fuel energy sources compared to renewables.
The survey also indicates a strong belief among Australians in the reality of climate change, with 84% acknowledging its occurrence and 75% expressing concern about global warming. Trust in climate science remains relatively stable across the political spectrum, with high percentages of belief among voters of various parties, from the Greens to the Liberals.
However, this trust does not translate into a homogenous response to climate action. The survey underscores the complexity of attitudes that vary by region, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and other factors. Foxwell-Norton emphasises the importance of not oversimplifying these complexities if meaningful action on climate change is to be achieved.
As the debate over nuclear energy in Australia continues, it’s clear that opinions are divided, and many questions remain about the future of the nation’s energy landscape. This shift towards nuclear energy brings both potential benefits and significant concerns, making it an important issue for all Australians to consider.
What are your views on the prospect of nuclear power plants being built near your home? Do you think nuclear energy is a necessary step for Australia’s future, or should the focus remain on renewable energy sources? Share your opinions and experiences with us in the comments below!
Also read: Renewables are cheap. So why isn’t your power bill falling?
Nuclear isn’t renewable for a start, nor is it clean (whether you use fusion or fission all nuclear reactors create waste which has to be disposed of somehow), and it has been shown that it will cause bills to go UP not down. And that’s just for starters as to why it bad policy
Renewables vs Nuclear: Survey Reveals Where Australians Stand” presents a fascinating snapshot of the nation’s energy priorities. The strong public preference for renewables aligns with global sustainability trends, though the cautious openness to nuclear as a backup is pragmatic. The data on regional divides is particularly insightful—urban vs rural perspectives reflect real-world challenges in infrastructure and reliability. While solar/wind clearly lead, I hope future discussions address storage solutions (like grid batteries) to bridge gaps. On a lighter note, debating this over coffee in a reusable water bottle(https://holohololife.com/) feels very on-brand for eco-conscious Aussies!