Australians fear nuclear attacks
More Australians fear nuclear attacks and health epidemics than average: Ipsos, Matt Wade , SMH, [good graphs] 24 Nov 17
A new 24-nation survey shows Australians are more fearful about security threats including terrorism, nuclear attacks, computer hacks and health epidemics than most other countries.
The Ipsos poll found 82 per cent of Australians feel the “real threat” of a terrorist attack in the next 12 months – 10 percentage points above the international average. That proportion was the same as Turkey, which has recently suffered a series of major terrorism attacks, and was only eight percentage points lower than France and the United States which have experienced multiple terrorist incidents during the past two years.
The proportion of Australians who feel a real threat of “nuclear biological or chemical attack somewhere in the world” during the next year rose eight percentage points to 79 per cent – that was the fifth highest share among the 24 nations, and well above the international average.
By comparison, the proportion of South Koreans fearing a nuclear attack was 15 percentage points lower than Australia, despite heightened tensions with its nuclear-armed neighbour, North Korea.
Australians also had an above average share of respondents who fear being hacked for fraudulent or espionage purposes.
Social researcher, Hugh Mackay, blamed deliberate political tactics for stoking public fears in Australia.
“We’ve had a series of governments who have deliberately played on our fears and exaggerated threats,” he said.
“Why do governments do that? Well, because in Australia, and elsewhere, we’ve seen governments benefiting from fear in the populous.”
Mackay suspects a more general “epidemic of anxiety” in the community also contributed to pessimism revealed by the poll…….
The Ipsos poll, taken almost a year after the election of Donald Trump as US President, found 83 per cent of Australians believe the world has become more dangerous over the past year, up by two percentage points compared with a year earlier and three percentage points above the international average.
A separate poll on Australian attitudes to the world published by the Lowy Institute earlier this year found “feelings of safety” were at the lowest point in the 13-year history of the survey.
The Ipsos polling comes days after the federal government’s foreign policy white paper drew attention to a number of entrenched security threats, including North Korea’s long-range missile and nuclear programs, Islamist terrorism and the effects of climate change.
Ipsos researcher, David Elliott, said blanket media coverage of worrying events – such as terrorist attacks – had a significant influence on public perceptions.
“We know from previous studies that we over-estimate issues we worry about,” he said……….
Australians are also more worried than average about the threat of war. The poll found nearly two thirds of respondents fear an armed conflict with another nation within 12 months – 11 percentage points above the international mean.
Professor Wesley said that high share may be linked to our close military ties to America.
“Most Australians probably realise that if the United States gets involved in a barney somewhere there’s a high likelihood that we’ll be involved as well,” he said.
Most Australians also expect another world war – 76 per cent anticipate another conflict involving super powers “similar to World Wars 1 and 2” in the next 25 years. That was the fourth biggest proportion out of the 24 nations surveyed – behind the US, Canada and India.
But there is a silver lining to the glum risk assessment – Australians were more optimistic than the international average about our government’s level of preparedness to deal with security threats.
The poll found 72 per cent of Australians are confident authorities can provide “appropriate levels of security and protection” in the event of a natural disaster during the next 12 months – the second highest share among nations surveyed.
“Regardless of our concerns, we seem relatively confident in our government’s ability to deal with those threats in comparison to most other countries in our study,” Mr Elliott said. …..http://www.smh.com.au/national/more-australians-fear-nuclear-attacks-and-health-epidemics-than-average-ipsos-20171124-gzsif7.html
No comments yet.
1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 
Leave a Reply