Most Europeans want the EU to reduce its reliance on nuclear energy because of safety threats, while also supporting the use of alternatives to fossil fuels, a survey released Monday showed. The survey found that 61 percent of those polled were in favour of reducing the share of nuclear sources in the EU's overall energy make-up to limit risks from waste and accidents, the European Commission said in a presentation of the results.
Meanwhile, 31 percent said that the use of nuclear energy, which currently generates a third of the EU's electricity, should be increased because it does not contribute to climate change and global warming.
The survey, which was conducted February 9-15 among 25,800 people across the EU's 27 member states, sought to sound out public opinions toward energy issues and climate change.
It comes only days ahead of a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday where EU leaders are to focus on hammering out a common energy strategy and stepping up the fight against global warming.
The survey found that half of those questioned were "very much" concerned about global warming and climate change while 37 percent said they were concerned "to some degree."
The level of concern was highest in the EU's southern countries where global warming threatens increased droughts and forest fires, with 70 percent in balmy Spain and Cyprus "very much" concerned, compared with only 20 percent in chilly Estonia.
More than eight out of 10 people polled made a link between climate change and energy use, with 38 percent agreeing that it was having a "big negative impact" on global warming.
Support was also very high for using renewable energy sources, with 83 percent in favour of a minimum percentage to be used in their country's energy mix.
Source: Agence France-Presse
