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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Anti-nuclear movement sidebar}}
{{Anti-nuclear movement sidebar}}


In 2008, [[Nuclear power in Switzerland|nuclear energy]] provided Switzerland with 40 per cent of its electricity, but a survey of Swiss people found that only seven per cent of respondents were totally in favor of energy production by nuclear power stations. Many large [[anti-nuclear]] demonstrations and protests have occurred over the years.
In 2008, [[Nuclear power in Switzerland|nuclear energy]] provided Switzerland with 40 percent of its electricity, but a survey of Swiss people found that only seven percent of respondents were totally in favor of energy production by nuclear power stations. Many large [[anti-nuclear]] demonstrations and protests have occurred over the years.


In May 2011, following the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster]], Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country’s five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26nuclear.html?_r=1 |title=Switzerland Decides on Nuclear Phase-Out |author=James Kanter |date=May 25, 2011 |work=New York Times |page= }}</ref>
In May 2011, following the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster]], Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country's five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".<ref name="James Kanter">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26nuclear.html?_r=1 |title=Switzerland Decides on Nuclear Phase-Out |author=James Kanter |date=25 May 2011 |work=New York Times }}</ref>


==Early years==
==Early years==
The Swiss parliament promulgated the ''Nuclear Energy Act of 1959'', and the first three [[nuclear power plant]]s entered production between 1969 and 1972 without significant [[anti-nuclear]] mobilization. Protests started in the late 1960s, principally against a planned nuclear power plant in [[Kaiseraugst]], a small village not far from the city of [[Basel]]. This site was to be the focal point of the Swiss anti-nuclear movement for the next two decades.<ref name=social>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Kn6YhNtyVigC&pg=PA63&lpg=PA63&dq=anti-nuclear+switzerland&source=web&ots=rns_MNr9nL&sig=9wkp2JxYnT3iK1UnPPiELsyVQy4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA64,M1 Marco Giugni ''Social Protest and Policy Change''] p. 64.</ref>
The Swiss parliament promulgated the ''Nuclear Energy Act of 1959'', and the first three [[nuclear power plant]]s entered production between 1969 and 1972 without significant [[anti-nuclear]] mobilization. Protests started in the late 1960s, principally against a planned nuclear power plant in [[Kaiseraugst]], a small village not far from the city of [[Basel]]. This site was to be the focal point of the Swiss anti-nuclear movement for the next two decades.<ref name=social>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Kn6YhNtyVigC&dq=anti-nuclear+switzerland&pg=PA64 Marco Giugni ''Social Protest and Policy Change''], p. 64.</ref>
A major occupation took place in 1975 in Kaiseraugst, after construction work had begun. The occupation was organized by the ''Non-violent Action Kaiseraugst'' and lasted about 10 weeks, between April and June 1975. Fifteen thousand people participated. Following this, a number of other non-violent actions were formed nationwide, and mass demonstrations became national in scope. A demonstration held in [[Bern]] on April 26, 1975, attracted 18,000 people and was supported by more than 170 associations and parties. A period of intense mobilization occurred in the period from 1975 to 1981.<ref name=social/>
A major occupation took place in 1975 in Kaiseraugst, after construction work had begun. The occupation was organized by the ''Non-violent Action Kaiseraugst'' and lasted about ten weeks, between April and June 1975. Fifteen thousand people participated. Following this, a number of other non-violent actions were formed nationwide, and mass demonstrations became national in scope. A demonstration held in [[Bern]] on 26 April 1975, attracted 18,000 people and was supported by more than 170 associations and parties. A period of intense mobilization occurred in the period from 1975 to 1981.<ref name=social/>

==After Chernobyl==
==After Chernobyl==


From 1986 to 1990, the [[Chernobyl disaster]] brought another peak of anti-nuclear protests in Switzerland, which "increased public awareness toward nuclear energy and favored the acceptance in 1990 of a [[federal popular initiative]] for a ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear plants" (by [[Swiss referendums, 1990#September: Popular initiative on stopping the construction of nuclear power plants|54.5 percent of voters]], on 23 September 1990). With the exception of this ten-year moratorium, the Swiss public has rejected every referendum to ban nuclear energy since the 1970s (for instance in [[Swiss referendums, 1984#September: Nuclear power plants|1984]] and [[Swiss referendums, 2003|2003]]).<ref name=survey>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/internal_affairs/Atomic_energy_unpopular_despite_widespread_use.html?siteSect=1511&sid=9764817&cKey=1222187180000&ty=st Atomic energy unpopular despite widespread use]</ref>
From 1986 to 1990, the [[Chernobyl disaster]] brought another peak of anti-nuclear protests in Switzerland, which "increased public awareness toward nuclear energy and favored the acceptance in 1990 of a [[federal popular initiative]] for a ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear plants" (by [[1990 Swiss referendums#September: Popular initiative on stopping the construction of nuclear power plants|54.5 percent of voters]], on 23 September 1990). With the exception of this ten-year moratorium, the Swiss public has rejected every referendum to ban nuclear energy since the 1970s (for instance in [[1984 Swiss referendums#September: Nuclear power plants|1984]] and [[2003 Swiss referendums|2003]]).<ref name=survey>[http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/internal_affairs/Atomic_energy_unpopular_despite_widespread_use.html?siteSect=1511&sid=9764817&cKey=1222187180000&ty=st Atomic energy unpopular despite widespread use]</ref>

Between 1979 and 2014, out of the 16 cantonal and federal votes on nuclear energy, 9 were favourable to nuclear energy and 7 were opposed to it (one moratorium accepted and six [[High-level radioactive waste management|radioactive waste storage]] projects rejected).<ref>Bernard Wuthrich, [https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/2016/11/27/suisses-attaches-nucleaire-hostiles-aux-dechets "Les Suisses sont attachés au nucléaire, et hostiles aux déchets"], ''[[Le temps]]'', 27 November 2016 (page visited on 27 November 2016).</ref>


==Recent developments==
==Recent developments==
⚫
In 2008, nuclear energy provided Switzerland with 40 percent of its electricity. A survey of 1,026 Swiss people found that 7% were totally in favor of nuclear energy production, 14% were fully opposed, 33% were fairly in favor, and 38% were fairly opposed, with 8% having no opinion.
[[File:Beznau - emergency switch.jpeg|thumb|An emergency switch-off button of the [[Beznau Nuclear Power Plant]]. In 2011, the federal authorities decided to gradually [[Nuclear power phase-out|phase out]] [[nuclear power in Switzerland]].]]

⚫
In 2008, nuclear energy provided Switzerland with 40 per cent of its electricity. A survey of 1,026 Swiss people found that 7% were totally in favor of nuclear energy production, 14% were fully opposed, 33% were fairly in favor, and 38% were fairly opposed, with 8% having no opinion.


One of the most contentious issues is the disposal of [[radioactive waste]]. At present, spent nuclear material is "kept in temporary aboveground facilities while politicians and communities wrangle about where to bury it."<ref name=survey/>
One of the most contentious issues is the disposal of [[radioactive waste]]. At present, spent nuclear material is "kept in temporary aboveground facilities while politicians and communities wrangle about where to bury it."<ref name=survey/>


In May 2011, following the [[Fukushima nuclear disaster]], some 20,000 people turned out for Switzerland's largest anti-nuclear power demonstration in 25 years. Demonstrators marched peacefully near the [[Beznau Nuclear Power Plant]], the oldest in Switzerland, which started operating in 1969.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NCL8100.htm |title=Biggest anti-nuclear Swiss protests in 25 years |author= |date=22 May 2011 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |page= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Anti-nuclear_protests_attract_20,000.html?cid=30291990 |title=Anti-nuclear protests attract 20,000 |author= |date=May 22, 2011 |work=Swissinfo |page= }}</ref>
In May 2011, following the [[Fukushima nuclear disaster]], some 20,000 people turned out for Switzerland's largest anti-nuclear power demonstration in 25 years. Demonstrators marched peacefully near the [[Beznau Nuclear Power Plant]], the oldest in Switzerland, which started operating in 1969.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NCL8100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026080657/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NCL8100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2012 |title=Biggest anti-nuclear Swiss protests in 25 years |date=22 May 2011 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Anti-nuclear_protests_attract_20,000.html?cid=30291990 |title=Anti-nuclear protests attract 20,000 |date=22 May 2011 |work=Swissinfo }}</ref>
Days after the anti-nuclear rally, Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country’s five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/business/global/26nuclear.html?_r=1 |title=Switzerland Decides on Nuclear Phase-Out |author=James Kanter |date=May 25, 2011 |work=New York Times |page= }}</ref>
Days after the anti-nuclear rally, Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country's five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".<ref name="James Kanter"/>


On 27 November 2016, [[2016 Swiss referendums#November referendum|a referendum]] by the [[Green Party of Switzerland|Green Party]] was held that would have limited the lifespan of Switzerland's nuclear plants to 45 years, and in doing so, would close the three oldest reactors in 2017: [[Beznau Nuclear Power Plant|Beznau 1, Beznau 2]], and [[Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant|Muehleberg]].<ref>{{cite news | last1=Moulson | first1=Geir | title=Swiss Reject Plan to Speed up Exit from Nuclear Energy | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/swiss-cast-ballots-on-referendum-on-nuclear-energy/2016/11/27/c41189c6-b479-11e6-bc2d-19b3d759cfe7_story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128135254/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/swiss-cast-ballots-on-referendum-on-nuclear-energy/2016/11/27/c41189c6-b479-11e6-bc2d-19b3d759cfe7_story.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=28 November 2016 | date=27 November 2016| newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|agency= [[Associated Press]] | access-date=27 November 2016}}</ref> The referendum failed, with 54.2% of voters rejecting it.<ref>{{cite web | title=Vote Results: Nuclear Power Initiative | url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/vote-results-november-27th-2016/42592236 | date=27 November 2016| website=[[Swissinfo]] | access-date=27 November 2016}}</ref>
⚫
==References==

{{Reflist|500px}}
On 21 May 2017, 58 percent of [[2017 Swiss referendums#May referendum|Swiss voters accepted]] the new Energy Act establishing the [[Energy in Switzerland#Energy strategy 2050|energy strategy 2050]] and forbidding the construction of new nuclear power plants.<ref>[http://www.bfe.admin.ch/energiestrategie2050/index.html?lang=en Energy strategy 2050], Swiss Federal Office of Energy, [[Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications]] (page visited on 21 May 2017).</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Environmental movement in Switzerland]]
* [[Environmental movement in Switzerland]]
* [[Nuclear power in Switzerland]]
* [[Nuclear power in Switzerland]]

⚫
==References==
{{reflist|35em}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
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{{Anti-nuclear movement}}
{{Anti-nuclear movement}}
{{Nuclear power in Switzerland}}
{{Portal bar|Social movements|Renewable energy|Environment}}
{{Portal bar|Society|Renewable energy|Environment}}


[[Category:Anti-nuclear movement by country|Switzerland]]
[[Category:Anti-nuclear movement by country|Switzerland]]
[[Category:Nuclear energy in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Nuclear power in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Politics of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Politics of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Environment of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Environment of Switzerland]]

Latest revision as of 04:16, 1 July 2024

Anti-nuclear movement
By country
Lists

In 2008, nuclear energy provided Switzerland with 40 percent of its electricity, but a survey of Swiss people found that only seven percent of respondents were totally in favor of energy production by nuclear power stations. Many large anti-nuclear demonstrations and protests have occurred over the years.

In May 2011, following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country's five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".[1]

Early years

[edit]

The Swiss parliament promulgated the Nuclear Energy Act of 1959, and the first three nuclear power plants entered production between 1969 and 1972 without significant anti-nuclear mobilization. Protests started in the late 1960s, principally against a planned nuclear power plant in Kaiseraugst, a small village not far from the city of Basel. This site was to be the focal point of the Swiss anti-nuclear movement for the next two decades.[2]

A major occupation took place in 1975 in Kaiseraugst, after construction work had begun. The occupation was organized by the Non-violent Action Kaiseraugst and lasted about ten weeks, between April and June 1975. Fifteen thousand people participated. Following this, a number of other non-violent actions were formed nationwide, and mass demonstrations became national in scope. A demonstration held in Bern on 26 April 1975, attracted 18,000 people and was supported by more than 170 associations and parties. A period of intense mobilization occurred in the period from 1975 to 1981.[2]

After Chernobyl

[edit]

From 1986 to 1990, the Chernobyl disaster brought another peak of anti-nuclear protests in Switzerland, which "increased public awareness toward nuclear energy and favored the acceptance in 1990 of a federal popular initiative for a ten-year moratorium on the construction of new nuclear plants" (by 54.5 percent of voters, on 23 September 1990). With the exception of this ten-year moratorium, the Swiss public has rejected every referendum to ban nuclear energy since the 1970s (for instance in 1984 and 2003).[3]

Between 1979 and 2014, out of the 16 cantonal and federal votes on nuclear energy, 9 were favourable to nuclear energy and 7 were opposed to it (one moratorium accepted and six radioactive waste storage projects rejected).[4]

Recent developments

[edit]

In 2008, nuclear energy provided Switzerland with 40 percent of its electricity. A survey of 1,026 Swiss people found that 7% were totally in favor of nuclear energy production, 14% were fully opposed, 33% were fairly in favor, and 38% were fairly opposed, with 8% having no opinion.

One of the most contentious issues is the disposal of radioactive waste. At present, spent nuclear material is "kept in temporary aboveground facilities while politicians and communities wrangle about where to bury it."[3]

In May 2011, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, some 20,000 people turned out for Switzerland's largest anti-nuclear power demonstration in 25 years. Demonstrators marched peacefully near the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, the oldest in Switzerland, which started operating in 1969.[5][6] Days after the anti-nuclear rally, Cabinet decided to ban the building of new nuclear power reactors. The country's five existing reactors would be allowed to continue operating, but "would not be replaced at the end of their life span".[1]

On 27 November 2016, a referendum by the Green Party was held that would have limited the lifespan of Switzerland's nuclear plants to 45 years, and in doing so, would close the three oldest reactors in 2017: Beznau 1, Beznau 2, and Muehleberg.[7] The referendum failed, with 54.2% of voters rejecting it.[8]

On 21 May 2017, 58 percent of Swiss voters accepted the new Energy Act establishing the energy strategy 2050 and forbidding the construction of new nuclear power plants.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b James Kanter (25 May 2011). "Switzerland Decides on Nuclear Phase-Out". New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Marco Giugni Social Protest and Policy Change, p. 64.
  3. ^ a b Atomic energy unpopular despite widespread use
  4. ^ Bernard Wuthrich, "Les Suisses sont attachés au nucléaire, et hostiles aux déchets", Le temps, 27 November 2016 (page visited on 27 November 2016).
  5. ^ "Biggest anti-nuclear Swiss protests in 25 years". Bloomberg Businessweek. 22 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Anti-nuclear protests attract 20,000". Swissinfo. 22 May 2011.
  7. ^ Moulson, Geir (27 November 2016). "Swiss Reject Plan to Speed up Exit from Nuclear Energy". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Vote Results: Nuclear Power Initiative". Swissinfo. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  9. ^ Energy strategy 2050, Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (page visited on 21 May 2017).
[edit]
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