'Global support for N-power declines'
The recent catastrophe in Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant after a devastating earthquake has declined Bangladesh's and global support in favour of nuclear energy, a recent survey report said.
WIN-Gallop International, a network of independent opinion pollsters, carried out the survey in 47 countries, says a press release.
ORG Quest Research Limited, as a local partner of the network, conducted this survey among 940 respondents, both male and female, in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna from March 18 to April 2 based on scientific statistical estimation.
According to the survey, 52 percent are in favour of nuclear energy while 34 percent are against it, thus netting a net favour (favourable minus un-favourable) of 18 percent. Globally this is 6 percent.
To meet rocketing demand for electricity, nuclear power gained steady public support during the last ten years and Bangladesh too decided to build a nuclear plant with Russian aid. When the group was asked for their view prior to Fukushima disaster, 65 percent were in favour while 21 percent were against it, making a net favour of 44 percent. Globally this is 25 percent.
It is a resourceful industry, being more environment-friendly and posing less threat to climate change compared to fossil fuels. But anti-nuclear energy activists will increasingly focus on Fukushima-like hazards, fuelling the debate, an expert of the network said.
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