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Gupta, Prerna

University of British Columbia

The Indian state views nuclear energy as essential for meeting energy demands and addressing climate change. However, it faces significant public opposition and has historically been met with protests when it proposes new nuclear facilities. This study investigates public perceptions of nuclear energy, particularly concerning risks and benefits, which have been established as critical factors influencing nuclear energy acceptance in Global North studies. However, there is limited understanding of these perceptions within the Indian context. Chapter One sets the foundation by introducing the context and relevant theoretical background that motivate the key research questions explored in this thesis. The second chapter analyses survey data from five Indian states to identify key factors influencing nuclear risk perceptions, finding no significant gender gap in perceptions, and emphasising that development debates along economic and political dimensions are crucial in shaping these perceptions in India. The third chapter compares public assessments of nuclear energy with other energy technologies, finding that nuclear energy is perceived as the riskiest and of low benefit, with lower benefits than renewables (wind and solar) and similar to coal and oil. Regional differences by state significantly affect perceptions in both studies. Chapter Four explores the lived experiences of residents near India's oldest nuclear power plant, finding that the technology's initial promise has turned to disappointment and resentment, shaped by themes of development, environmental impacts, daily risks, and social dynamics. Chapter Five critiques the expert-public divide in the uranium mining controversy, challenging the view that expert risk judgments are purely objective and rational while public assessments are completely emotion-driven and irrational. By employing a mixed-method approach, this dissertation provides a nuanced understanding of public perspectives on nuclear energy in India. The findings contribute to a more informed, democratic, inclusive decision-making that is grounded in empirical social science.

Text

2024-11-27

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89730

Resources, Environment and Sustainability

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/