THE NUCLEAR POWER AMBIGUITY: The role of ideology in the relationship between worries about changes in the earth's climate and support for nuclear power.

Abstract

This study seeks to expand upon current literature on the relationship between worries about the climate and the support for nuclear power. Previous research has established a negative correlation between the two, but public opinion research from Sweden proves that nuclear power can gain support, while worries about the climate remain on the same level. Nuclear power is a difficult subject among individuals who are worried about climate change since nuclear power does not emit carbon dioxide but is not the favored choice of future energy sources. Solar- wind- and hydro energy sources are prefered among left-leaning individuals, while right-leaning individuals are more favorable toward nuclear power. In order to investigate why climate worries remain high and support for nuclear power goes up, the ideology was tested to see ideological differences toward nuclear power among individuals who are worried about changes in the earth's climate. Using cross-sectional data from the 2019 SOM-institute general questionnaire, an OLS-regression analysis was performed to empirically test the theory. The results confirmed the negative correlation between worries about the climate and support for nuclear power, but could not find support for ideological differences in the climate concerned group toward nuclear power.