The Siting of Nuclear Waste Repository in Finland: Focusing on the Opposition Movement in Lovisa

Abstract

This study examines the activities of the Lovisa Movement in Lovisa, Finland, an initiative opposing the establishment of nuclear waste repository. In response to Posiva's proposal for geological disposal, the Movement, led by an immigrant from outside Lovisa, organized a public event inviting experts and activists from outside Lovisa and demanded a referendum involving neighboring communities. Furthermore, Lovisa is characterized by a relatively high percentage of Swedish-speaking residents, and the events and publicities had to be held in both Finnish and Swedish, which sometimes created difficulties in administrating the project. This study contributes to the broader comparative research on public resistance to generally unwanted facilities, such as nuclear waste repository.