THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SURVEY : Nuray ÖZDEMİR Prepared by : Nuray ÖZDEMİR EDIRNE SULEYMAN DEMIREL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL APRIL 2009 EDIRNE / TURKEY The use of Nuclear Power for peaceful purposes as electric producer.

We had a survey about nuclear energy with students from different high schools in the centre of Edirne in April. Their ages were changing between 16 and 18. We talked with fifty people. So we have some ideas about what they know about nuclear energy and how they feel about using it.

Question 1 Nuclear energy can be a good support of the development of a country. Strongly disagree Slightly disagree Moderately agree AgreeStrongly agree Question 18 %4 %14 %22 %52 %

As you can see young people who live in Turkey think nuclear power will make a lot of big changes, especially in the balance of power in the world Also we will take advantage of nuclear energy and our country will improve its economy, and nuclear power will contribute highly to the development of Turkey.

Question 2 2. If I get an interesting job in a nuclear power plant I would like to take the job. StronglydisagreeSlightlydisagreeModerately agree agreeAgreeStronglyagree Question 2 10 % 16 % 28 % 38 % 6 %

A large amount of young people think it is quite a good idea to work in a nuclear power plant. From this point of view, you can say many young Turkish people think plants will provide a suitable work place.

The people who answered our questionnaire think it is a good solution to obtain energy from a nuclear power plant but their country must have the freedom to decide to use it or not.

Question 3 If the EU government decides that nuclear power plants must be built in order to reduce the use of coal and natural gas, each country in EU has the right to say no to building in their own countries. Strongly disagree disagreeSlightlydisagreeModeratelyagreeAgreeStrongly agree agree Question 3 14 % 20 % 14 % 36 % 16 %

Question 4 A serious accident in a nuclear power plant in Europe affects all countries in Europe. Strongly disagree disagreeSlightly Moderately agree AgreeStrongly agree agree Question 4 6 % 8 % 42 % 38 %

Most of the people we have interviewed accepted nuclear power is a suitable method to generate energy but they think in case of an accident it will have such big effects that even neighboring countries will feel them.

Question 5 Storing nuclear waste in my community is good for the future. It gives us extra money for all outlays in the community. StronglydisagreeSlightly disagree disagree Moderately agree AgreeStrongly agree agree Question 5 20 % 36 % 24 % 12 % 8 %

Many people agree with people from the other five countries and they think the nuclear waste will cause a lot of trouble for people in the future. The waste will affect human health negatively. So nuclear waste shouldn’t be stored to earn money.

Question 6 The use of nuclear power energy gives positive effects to the environment. StronglydisagreeSlightly disagree disagree Moderately agree Agree Strongly agree Question 6 24 % 22 % 24 % 20 % 10 %

They have many different ideas about that subject. The rates of different options are similar. The answers show they are a bit confused and they don’t have enough information about the subject.

Question 7 You can always trust the authorities when they tell people that everything is ok after an incident in a nuclear power plant. StronglydisagreeSlightly disagree disagree Moderately agree AgreeStrongly agree agree Question 7 46 % 40 % 14 % 0 %

A great majority of people don't trust authorities about the security of nuclear power plant in such a case. They don’t believe the authorities will behave honestly

Question 8 Do you have an idea of how electricity is produced in a nuclear power plant ? Question 11 Do you know how the authorities want to store nuclear waste for the future? YesNo Question 8 56%44% Question 11 24%76%

Nearly half of the people weren’t informed about how electricity is produced in a nuclear power plant before. A great number of people have no idea about how the authorities want to store nuclear waste for the future. This explains why they can not trust the governments or authorities when there is a problem in the power plant.

Question 10 Are you for or against new nuclear power plants in Europe?For28Against:22

The rate of for and against answers are close. ????

Question 13 How can we substitute the electricity production if we stop the use of nuclear power plants? Types of energyWindPower Geothermal HydroenergySolarenergy HydrogenWave Rate 58 % 20 % 14 % 40 % 12 % 2 %

Most of them suppose wind power and solar energy will provide enough energy instead of nuclear power. Also geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen and wave power will be suitable and harmless alternatives for humanity.

Question 9 If you have an opinion concerning the safety of using nuclear power please write in a few words the reasons of your opinion. If you have an opinion concerning the safety of using nuclear power please write in a few words the reasons of your opinion.. 1.It is good because it is a very powerful energy and it will be better than all the other types of energy in the future. However, if it is used for evil purposes it will deeply affect all humanity. For example, we still see the effects of the Chernobyl and Hiroshima disasters. 2. As long as it is used correctly and carefully, our country’s transition to nuclear power will make a lot of big changes, especially in the balance of power in the world 3.It is not safe and it destroys the environment

4.The reactors can be made safer by choosing the location of the reactor with utmost care and using the latest technology. 5.It is not safe. 6.The fact that it is natural and safer than the other types of power made me think positively. 7.I don’t trust nuclear power plants. 8.Unless there is an accident, nuclear power is one of the cleanest types of power. 9.It is definitely unsafe. It is used for political purposes. 10.The plants where the power is generated must be constructed properly.

11.Nuclear power is safe and clean. It generates a great amount of energy from a little source. The risks can be ignored because of its high energy efficiency. 12.Nuclear power is safe. 13.Nuclear power is definitely unsafe and it is used for bad intentions. 14.Maybe it is safe when all the necessary conditions are provided, but I don’t believe those conditions will be provided.

15. We aren’t informed about this. 16. Nuclear power plants must be constructed far from the settlements. If the nuclear waste is kept properly and the risk of accident is minimized by conscious use, nuclear power is a highly suitable type of energy. 17. It may be a safe energy but is must not be harmful to the environment. 18. The location of power plants must be far from the settlements. There must be enough number of qualified staff at the power plants and the materials that are used must be chosen very carefully.

19. Unless there is an explosion, it is beneficial to the environment. 20. Nuclear power plants must be established, but if we keep obtaining power by consuming natural sources, the environment will not be able to support life in the future. Nuclear power plants must be established by taking necessary precautions

Most of them recognized that nuclear power is a highly suitable type of energy and nuclear power is safe and clean. It generates a great amount of energy from a little source. But they have suspicion about these sources. They think if there is a nuclear accident it will affect all humanity. For example, we still see the effects of the Chernobyl and Hiroshima disasters. Our country can’t forget Chernobyl. Because of negligence many people lost their lives and health. People don’t believe authorities will provide enough safety. Also some of people say the risks can be ignored because of its high energy efficiency. But this point of view is not supported by many.

30 people didn’t answer that question. It showed our public is not well informed about nuclear power. Because of this reason we,the Comenius team, must share what we know about nuclear power and the other sources of energy with other people and help to save our planet.

Thank you for listening!