Living in risk areas highlights higher levels of risk acceptance

The survey conducted before the Fukushima accident showed that people who had more knowledge about nuclear energy and who had more positive attitudes towards nuclear plants in China showed more trust in the government and lower perceived risk. Also, people who lived near power plants in China showed a higher level of acceptance of nuclear power in comparison to the citizens from further areas. In contrast, after the Fukushima accident, the largest decline in nuclear acceptance was found in citizens who lived closest to power plants (Huang et al., 2013).

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Cultural Factors: Attitudes toward authorities, Local knowledge

Hazards: Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens, Government

Recommendations:

• Use local knowledge, collective memory and shared cultural values to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery
• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective