Risk Perception of Nuclear Power Plants Among University Students in Northeast Asia After the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Ieong, Marco C F; Ho, Jung Chun; Lee, Patricia Chiao Tze; Hokama, Tomiko; Gima, Tsugiko; Luo, Li; Sohn, Myong-Sei; Kim, So Yoon; Kao, Shu Fen; Hsieh, Wanhwa A.; Chang, Hung Lun; Chang, Peter

doi:10.1177/1010539514532491

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Such examinations are mostly carried out by surveying techniques with help of structured types of questionnaires [4,[9][10][11]16]. There are diverse aspects of the environment and its effects, such as purchase intention on greener products [17], the effect of materialism on environment knowledge [18], perception of exceptional risks [19], impact on climate change [20], and the perception of awareness, attitude, and knowledge of the environment [21]. Gulgun et al [9] recognized public awareness as the key factor of sustainable environmental protection and explained the importance of environmental education starting from nursery school levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Literacy Level Comparison of Undergraduates in the Conventional and ODLs Universities in Sri Lanka

2021

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Developing positive attitudes by upgrading the environmental literacy level is very important to protect nature from anthropogenic pressures. This study evaluates existing knowledge, awareness, attitude and behavior, perceived issues, and solutions of undergraduates on major environmental issues of two national universities with different teaching methods of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL: open distance learning) and the University of Peradeniya (UP: conventional). A questionnaire survey (29 structured and 04 open-ended items) was adapted with 800 undergraduates of engineering, science, management, law, and arts/ social sciences disciplines. We computerized descriptive statistics, such as frequency and cross-tabulation, and mean comparison using the SPSS software. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of existing environmental knowledge in undergraduates of two universities. However, there was a significant difference in undergraduates’ family income (F = 5.387, p < 0.001) and family educational background (p < 0.05) with environmental knowledge. School education played a main role in building environmental concepts for undergraduates. The environmental attitude and behavior of both student groups showed a fairly favorable status. The majority of respondents suggested that TV and radio were the most effective media for environmental awareness. Undergraduates of the OUSL and UP were more interested in “tree planting”/ “gardening” (22.7%) and “hiking (mountain climbing)” (25.7%), respectively. Both OUSL and UP groups recognized “global warming” as the major global environmental issue and air pollution as the local issue. This study highlights the importance of building environmental knowledge among undergraduates, mainly on global and local environmental issues, to improve sustainable environment management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Literacy Level Comparison of Undergraduates in the Conventional and ODLs Universities in Sri Lanka

2021

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“…Also, increasing concerns about potential nuclear accidents has reduced the support for nuclear energy in many other countries including America, Japan, Switzerland, UK and Taiwan since the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred in 2011 (Hixson, 2012;Ho et al, 2013;Ieong et al, 2014;Keller et al, 2012;World Nuclear News, 2012).…”

Section: Existing Studies On Nuclear-related Risk Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Perceived environmental and health risks of nuclear energy in Taiwan after Fukushima nuclear disaster

Lee

Kao

et al. 2014

Environment International

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After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in Japan in 2011, a nation-wide survey using a standardized self-administered questionnaire was conducted in Taiwan, with a sample size of 2,742 individuals including the residents who live within and beyond 30 km from a nuclear power plant (NPP), to evaluate the participants' perceived nuclear risk in comparison with their perceived risks from selected environmental hazards and human behaviors. The three leading concerns of nuclear energy were "nuclear accidents (82.2%)," "radioactive nuclear waste disposal (76.9%)" and "potential health effects (73.3%)." Respondents (77.6%) perceived a higher relative risk of cancer incidence for those who live within 30 km from an NPP than those who live outside 30 km from an NPP. All the participants had a higher risk perception of death related to "nuclear power operation and nuclear waste" than cigarette smoking, motorcycling, food poisoning, plasticizer poisoning and traveling by air. Moreover, the residents in Gongliao where the planned fourth NPP is located had a significantly higher perceived risk ratio (PRR) of cancer incidence (adjusted odd ratio (aOR)=1.84, p value=0.017) and perceived risk of death (aOR=4.03, p value<0.001) related to nuclear energy. The other factors such as female gender (aOR/p value, 1.25/0.026 and 1.34/0.001 respectively), lower education levels (aOR/p value: 1.31/0.032; 2.03/<0.001) and the participants' concerns about nuclear accidents (aOR/p value: 1.33/0.022; 1.51/<0.001) and potential health effects (aOR/ p value: 2.95/ <0.001; 2.56/<0.001) were found to be commonly associated with the PRRs of "cancer incidence" and "perceived risk of death" related to nuclear energy, respectively. In addition, the respondents' concerns about nuclear waste disposal and possible eco-environmental damage made significant contributions (aOR/ p value: 1.39/ 0.001; 1.40/<0.001) to predict their perceived risk of death related to nuclear power. These factors are considered as important indicators and they can be used for suggesting future policy amendments and public referendum on the decision of the operation of the planned NPP.

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“…If the source is not trusted or people do not trust current science or technology in general, there will be lower general risk perception [33]. If information regarding a specific risk has become the social norm and is common knowledge, risk communicators will have a hard time heightening risk perception when necessary [34,35]. A major example of this would be safe driving practices for younger drivers (i.e., college students), which is a very popular risk communication topic.…”

Section: College Students: Risk Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disaster Preparedness among Service Dog Puppy- Raisers (Human Subject Sample)

DeYoung

Farmer

Callaro

et al. 2020

Animals

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Little is known about the ways in which puppy raisers engage in disaster preparedness for their puppies (or “guide dogs in training”). The aim of this research is to understand disaster preparedness among service dog puppy raisers. A web-based survey was distributed to people raising puppies in a service dog training program (n = 53 complete survey responses). Questions in the survey included items about disaster preparedness and plans for canine safety in hazards events. Out of those who said they had an evacuation plan for their puppy in training, 59% stated they would put the dog in their vehicles for evacuating to safety in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. The odds of first-time puppy raisers who considered evacuation for Hurricane Irma in 2017 was 15.3 times the odds of repeat raisers. Over half the raisers reported that they did not have a disaster kit. Additionally, 82% of respondents indicated that having a service puppy in training makes them feel safer. These results can be used as a foundation for service dog organizations in disaster preparedness among their puppy raiser volunteers and in designing recruitment messages for new volunteers.

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Risk Perception of Nuclear Power Plants Among University Students in Northeast Asia After the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Environmental Literacy Level Comparison of Undergraduates in the Conventional and ODLs Universities in Sri Lanka

Environmental Literacy Level Comparison of Undergraduates in the Conventional and ODLs Universities in Sri Lanka

Perceived environmental and health risks of nuclear energy in Taiwan after Fukushima nuclear disaster

Disaster Preparedness among Service Dog Puppy- Raisers (Human Subject Sample)

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