1. How can community support for the nuclear option be achieved?
Ben Heard
Director- ThinkClimate Consulting
Founder – Decarbonise SA
Author- Zero Carbon Options

2. There is a wrong way...
“We need to find a way to convince Australians to embrace an unpopular energy source”. “Nuclear power is a necessary evil if we are to maintain reliable energy supply while meeting our commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions”.

3. There is a right way... Community Support Acknowledge existing support
Occupy the middle
Offer good information
Contest bad information
Deliver a positive vision

4. Acknowledge existing support
Strong supporter base
This is not only about winning supporters, but also about giving existing supporters a voice and a sense that they are not alone

5. Acknowledge existing support
Scope for growth.

6. This is not just about education...
Occupy the middle
This is not just about education...
I’m here to explain why you have been wrong, and why I should be allowed to invest

7. Occupy the middle
Proponents must establish common ground, acknowledge shortcomings, early and often
The nuclear industry has been a pretty hopeless communicator at times. It’s little wonder people are suspicious
There have been accidents, both serious and minor nuclear. They have largely been preventable. This is not a perfect industry.
Nuclear costs a lot to build, and the construction takes time.
Hazardous spent fuel is a real disadvantage of nuclear power

8. The community decides when it is ready to hear information
Occupy the middle
The community decides when it is ready to hear information
Occupy the middle
It seems there is no cheap way to beat climate change...
I wonder what the actual risks are of spent nuclear fuel?
Is cost a reason to stop it from being considered?
We might actually be safer with nuclear...
They seem frank, humble, and honest. I‘ll listen to their case
If we demand perfection before we act decisively on climate...

9. Address key areas for knowledge development
Offer good information
Address key areas for knowledge development
38% of respondents believe nuclear is more dangerous than coal (Virulent Ideas 2012)
Nuclear power is about 10 times safer than coal with regard to accidents, and over 600 times safer with regard to pollution (ExternE 2005, cited in Lancet 2007)

10. Address key areas for knowledge development
Offer good information
Address key areas for knowledge development
65% of respondents think nuclear power plants are potential nuclear bombs (Virulent Ideas 2012)

11. Address key areas for knowledge development
Offer good information
Address key areas for knowledge development
50% of respondents believe nuclear power is more dangerous than climate change (Virulent Ideas 2012)

12. Good nuclear information needs CONTEXT
Offer good information
Good nuclear information needs CONTEXT

13. Good nuclear information uses COMPARISON
Offer good information
Good nuclear information uses COMPARISON
Exclusion of nuclear is a costly position to maintain

14. Bad information must be contested
Contest bad information
Bad information must be contested
Source: Burgherr & Hirschberg 2008, published by Paul Scherrer Institute
Source: ExternE (2005) cited in Lancet (2007)
Source: Conca 2012, published by Forbes
Low by factor of 77
Original, non-reviewed figures
Source: Choose Nuclear Free (Friends of the Earth) (2011), withdrawn 2013

15. Deliver a positive vision
What do Australians want to look into the future and see?

16. Deliver a positive vision
Carbon-competitive industry and manufacturing with stable, insulated power prices

17. Deliver a positive vision
Seven summer days in France. A decarbonised grid to emulate

18. Deliver a positive vision
Greenhouse-free desalination. Adapt to climate change without making it worse

19. Deliver a positive vision
Portable zero-carbon power for settlements, regions, or off-grid applications

20. Deliver a positive vision
Add high-tech, knowledge-based jobs to Australia

21. Deliver a positive vision
Kick-start the decarbonisation of private transport.
Greenhouse-free energy for vehicle charging any time.

22. Deliver a positive vision
Breakthrough weak, politicised emissions targets to strong decarbonisation outcomes

23. Deliver a positive vision
Start with the world’s best technology and overcome capital cost hurdles

24. Deliver a positive vision
Regional leadership towards a future where waste is fuel, and energy is plentiful

25. Deliver a positive vision
Clean our air of harmful pollutants with chimney-free power

26. Invite them to join a conversation Establish common ground
Community Support
Trust Australians
Invite them to join a conversation
Establish common ground
Acknowledge legitimate concerns
Provide the information required
Provide the positive vision Australia needs
Ben Heard
@BenThinkClimate