How can community support for the nuclear option be achieved? Ben Heard Director- ThinkClimate Consulting Founder – Decarbonise SA Author- Zero Carbon Options
Jan 11, 2016
How can community support for the nuclear option be achieved?
Ben HeardDirector- ThinkClimate Consulting
Founder – Decarbonise SAAuthor- Zero Carbon Options
There is a wrong way...
“We need to find a way to convince Australians to embrace an unpopular energy source”. “Nuclear power is a necessary evil if we are to maintain reliable energy supply while meeting our commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions”.
Community Support
Acknowledge existing support
Occupy the middle
Offer good information
Contest bad information
Deliver a positive vision
There is a right way...
Strong supporter base
This is not only about winning supporters, but also about giving existing supporters a voice and a sense that they are not alone
Acknowledge existing support
Scope for growth.Acknowledge
existing support
This is not just about education...
I’m here to explain why you have been wrong, and why I
should be allowed to invest
Occupy the middle
Proponents must establish common ground,acknowledge shortcomings, early and often
The nuclear industry has been a pretty hopeless communicator at times. It’s little wonder people are suspicious
There have been accidents, both serious and minor nuclear. They have largely been preventable. This is not a perfect industry.
Nuclear costs a lot to build, and the construction takes time.
Hazardous spent fuel is a real disadvantage of nuclear power
Occupy the middle
The community decides when it is ready to hear information
Occupy the middle
It seems there is no cheap way to beat climate change...
I wonder what the actual risks are of spent nuclear fuel?
We might actually be safer with nuclear...
They seem frank, humble, and honest. I‘ll listen to their case
If we demand perfection before we act decisively on climate...
Is cost a reason to stop it from being considered?
Occupy the middle
Address key areas for knowledge development
Nuclear power is about 10 times safer than coal with regard to accidents, and over 600 times safer with regard to pollution (ExternE 2005, cited in Lancet 2007)
38% of respondents believe nuclear is more dangerous than coal (Virulent Ideas 2012)
Offer good information
Address key areas for knowledge development
65% of respondents think nuclear power plants are potential nuclear bombs (Virulent Ideas 2012)
Offer good information
Address key areas for knowledge development
50% of respondents believe nuclear power is more dangerous than climate change (Virulent Ideas 2012)
Offer good information
Good nuclear information needs CONTEXT
Black coal52%
Brown coal23%
Gas15%
Oil products1%
other1%
Biofuels1%Hydro
5%
Wind2%
Solar pv0%
Australia's Electricity Production 2009-10 (ABARES 2011)
Offer good information
Good nuclear information uses COMPARISON
Exclusion of nuclear is a costly position to maintain
Offer good information
Bad information must be contested
Original, non-reviewed figures
Low by factor of 77
Low by factor of 77
Low by factor of 77
Low by factor of 77
Contest bad information
Source: ExternE (2005) cited in Lancet (2007)
Source: Burgherr & Hirschberg 2008, published by Paul Scherrer Institute
Energy Source Mortality Rate (deaths/trillion kWh) Coal- global average electricity 170,000 Coal- China electricity 280,000 Coal- US electricity 15,000 Oil 36,000 Natural Gas 4,000 Biofuel/Biomass Energy 24,000 Solar (rooftop electricity) 440 Wind 150 Nuclear – global average 90
Source: Conca 2012, published by Forbes
Source: Choose Nuclear Free (Friends of the Earth) (2011), withdrawn 2013
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
What do Australians want to look into the future and see?
Carbon-competitive industry and manufacturing with stable, insulated power prices
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Seven summer days in France. A decarbonised grid to emulate
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Greenhouse-free desalination. Adapt to climate change without making it worse
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Portable zero-carbon power for settlements,
regions, or off-grid applications
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Add high-tech, knowledge-based jobs to Australia
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Kick-start the decarbonisation of private transport.Greenhouse-free energy for vehicle charging any time.
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Deliver a positive vision
Breakthrough weak, politicised emissions targets to strong decarbonisation outcomes
Deliver a positive vision
Start with the world’s best technology and overcome capital cost hurdles
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Deliver a positive vision
Regional leadership towards a future where waste is fuel, and energy is plentiful
Deliver a positive vision
Clean our air of harmful pollutants with chimney-free power
Deliver a positive visionDeliver a positive vision
Trust AustraliansInvite them to join a conversation
Establish common groundAcknowledge legitimate concernsProvide the information required
Provide the positive vision Australia needs
Community Support
www.thinkclimateconsulting.com.auwww.decarbonisesa.com.au
@BenThinkClimate