2.3. Nuclear waste

The earlier measurements show that there is visible suspicion towards nuclear waste. Today, about every third person (32%) considers that the disposal of nuclear waste in the Finnish bedrock is safe. The number of suspicious people is greater, more than two fifths (44%) of the population. Despite the scepticism, these figures indicate the greatest confidence throughout the follow-up period. However, the difference compared to the average level in the past few years is, as a matter of fact, minor [Figure 8.].

The reservations are partly explained by the fact that two thirds (65%) consider nuclear waste to be a continuous threat to the life of future generations. Even in the light of this indicator, the concern about waste has decreased from the previous measurement (72% agreed with this view). However, the trend in the attitudes throughout the study period indicates that the threat experiences are persistent; no great slackening has been seen in attitudes in the past 20 years [Figure 9.].

About two out of five (39%) accept the notion that it would be better to keep nuclear waste in its present intermediate storage and wait for new solutions rather than to definitively deposit it in the bedrock. Every fourth respondent disagrees (27%). 'A reconsideration period' is gradually less and less supported each year. The overall change from the beginning of the 90s (62% supported in 1991) is great. It is true, however, that the interpretation should be made considering the decision made in 1994 to prohibit the exports of nuclear waste, which restricted the potential decisions to a narrower range (no figure).

Attitudes towards nuclear waste are, on average, less negative in the communities where the existing nuclear power plants are located than they are in the rest of Finland. In both localities there are more who think that final disposal is safe than regard it to be unsafe. The results in the earlier sections of the research series should also be remembered in connection with the examination. They have continuously shown that in principle the residents of both Eurajoki and Loviisa are prepared to accept, i.e. dispose of nuclear waste in the area of their own municipality. At Eurajoki, the probable municipality of waste disposal, confidence in safe disposal has strengthened further from last year.