On Tuesday, the SOM Institute in Gothenburg presented its annual surveys. Among the topics was how public opinion has changed on climate issues. The nuclear issue has been followed since 1999.
"What we are seeing now is a break in the trend. Now there are more people who are in favour of nuclear power than are against. This has not been the case since before the nuclear accident in Fukushima in 2011," says Björn Rönnerstrand, researcher at the SOM Institute.
In 2021, 42 percent wanted to use nuclear power. In 2022, the figure was 56 percent.
"On the one hand, the politicians have raised the issue to a greater extent and then it is likely that, for example, the current situation with the price of electricity affects how people have responded.
Offshore wind power
When it comes to other energy sources, you also see changes in public opinion.
"People are positive about wind power, but what we are seeing now is that more and more people believe that offshore wind power is a good idea," says Björn Rönnerstrand.
In 2021, 26 percent thought it was a very good idea. In 2022, the figure was 37 percent.
"Now people know more than before what this means. And, of course, the issue of access to electricity may matter. You can see it as one of the solutions.