Most of Russians are inspired by Germany and Italy to have completely abandoned the use of nuclear energy.
MOSCOW, June 16, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about the attitudes of Russians towards the rejection of nuclear energy, as well as about the reasons behind their attitudes.
The idea to completely abandon the use of nuclear power as Germany, Italy and other European countries did would be supported by the majority of Russians (57%). Only 20% of respondents are against this proposal. Those who are in favor of the idea are rural area residents (62%) respondents with low level of education (59-62%), and Russians with low and average income (58-59%). Those who express the most negative attitudes are Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (27%) and Russians with high level of education (28%).
The main arguments of those who support the idea are life safety improvement, environmental improvement (68%). This stance is shared by mainly residents of big cities (73%) and low-educated Russians (78%). The next important argument is that the alternative sources of energy are more secure and economically reasonable (24%). This opinion is supported by Muscovites and St.Petersburgians, as well as respondents with high level of education (33% for each). Only few respondents report that the rejection to use nuclear energy would help reduce fuel prices 1%).
Those who oppose the idea to abandon the use of nuclear energy are confident that Russia cannot exist without using this type of power (38%), that the alternative sources of energy are not sufficient yet (16%), that the nuclear power stations are secure if being used properly (13%) and economically reasonable for Russia (11%), that Russia do not have enough money for other types of energy (6%, 22% in Moscow and St.Petersburg 22%), that this step would cause the increase of prices for electricity (4%).
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on June 11-12, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
During ten years Germany plans to shut all the nuclear power plants, completely abandon the use of nuclear energy and switch to alternative energies. Let us admit that Russia will do the same. Do you personally support this idea or not? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | More than 500 thousand | 100 - 500 thousand | Les than 100 thousand | Rural area |
I will definitely support | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 27 | 40 |
Rather support | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 22 |
Rather not support | 13 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 15 | 10 |
No way I will support | 7 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
Hard to tell | 23 | 16 | 29 | 16 | 27 | 22 |
Why do you support this idea? | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary, or lower, incomplete secondary education | Secondary (school, technical college) | Secondary special (college) | Incomplete higher (not less than 3 years), higher |
Fear of nuclear catastrophe. It will be safer without nuclear power plants; environment will get better | 68 | 78 | 68 | 69 | 63 |
Alternative energies are safer and more reliable | 24 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 33 |
Prices for other types of fuel will decrease (petrol, electricity, et cet.) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Other | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 |
Why don`t you support the idea? | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary, or lower, incomplete secondary education | Secondary (school, technical college) | Secondary special (college) | Incomplete higher (not less than 3 years), higher |
Russia cannot exist without nuclear energy | 38 | 35 | 40 | 38 | 36 |
The alternative energy sources are not enough yet | 16 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 20 |
Nuclear energy is safe if all the technologies are observed | 13 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 13 |
Nuclear power stations are more economically reasonable for Russia | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 15 |
Russia do not have money for more expensive energy | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
Prices for electricity will get increased | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Other | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Hard to tell | 18 | 30 | 20 | 16 | 16 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!