Most reactions to the arguments for and against nuclear power are unchanged. The idea that nuclear power is an environmentally benign method of generating electricity has about the same amount of supporters and opposers (40% agree, 39% do not agree, no figure). Faith in economic advantageousness of nuclear power has remained practically at the same level (46% believe, 24% do not believe) [figure 8].

The most important positive viewpoint given by the citizens continues to be the positive experience with nuclear power in Finland. More than every second person (57%) considers that Finland has good experience with (Finnish) nuclear power. Only every eighth person disagrees about this (13%) [figure 9.].

Appealing to the requirements of the Kyoto Convention as an argument favouring nuclear power does not win support among the Finns. A new measurement concerning this only shows wide uncertainty (51% has no opinion, no figure).

In the spectrum of the negative arguments about nuclear power, the central basis of attitudes continues to be the view that the use of nuclear power involves much too many unknown dangers. Although the distribution of answers continues to be skewed (51% worried about unknown dangers, 28% are not worried), the long-term trend of opinions indicates that this type of unspecified worries have gradually decreased throughout the 90s [figure 10.].

Answers to questions concerning accidents at nuclear power plants are relatively curt, irrespective of whether the question is asked from the viewpoint of accident probability or potential consequences of an accident. About every third person (32%) considers a nuclear power plant accident resulting in major damage so unlikely that there is no reason to be worried. More than every second person disagrees (54%) [figure 11.].

The consequences of a possible accident are seen to be serious. More than four fifths of people (86%) assume that an accident - should it happen - would inevitably cause irrecoverable damage to extensive areas and major groups of people. So there is a tendency to see all kinds of accidents at nuclear power plants as highly disastrous. This view has not changed very much during the past few years (no figure).