What is meant by NIMBY?

Question

Many people have a Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) belief about nuclear power and nuclear waste. In your own words, what do you think is meant by NIMBY.

Answer 1

NIMBY is generally used to describe development plans that people seem to think are OK or even a good idea but, when it comes down to siting them and putting them in a particular place, then people seem to have meant that it was OK if done far away, but they don't want it nearby.

Answer 2

It's not just nuclear power that they tend to react like that to although from a rational point of view it is far less justified with nuclear power.

Of course the anti-nuclear movement isn't exactly known for being rational or even honest (they tend to behave much like global warming denialists and creationalists).

Answer 3

There was  question a few days ago, where the asker was promoting the idea of how great nuclear plant would be in Michigan, and how all of the nuclear waste could be stored in bunkers out west.

There are a lot of people out there that are pushing for nuclear power, as long as it is in someone Else's back yard, whether it is the plant or the waste.

These same people also talk about how ugly the wind machines are.

I have made a lot of drives through the Mohave desert, and always enjoyed the sight of those wind farms there.

However there are new developments in wind generator, and many of them could be considered work of art.

But I believe that the same people who don't want their view disturbed by a wind generator, are the ones that will cut down a tree, because it obstructs their view..

Answer 4

jeez..I can't believe nobody answered this correctly yet!  NIMBY is an acronym for "Not In My Back Yard" and refers to people who simply don't want to see the development of nuclear industry near where they live.

Answer 5

NIMBY is an acronym for Not In My Back Yard. It applies to many things that the general public feel are needed, like power plants, dumps, rehab centers, prisons, etc. but while they want the advantage of the service thy don't want to live near it.  It relates to nuclear power because many people think it's a more efficient option and the salvation to getting off petroleum, but they don't want the plant built in their neighborhood for any one of a number of reasons: still fear a Chernobyl like disaster effecting them, eyesore, etc. As far as the waste is concerned, they fear radioactive leaks or shortcuts in the disposal process may cause a cancer cluster effect.

Answer 6

Many people agree that nuclear power is a relatively economical way to produce electricity and that it reduces the usage of fossil fuels, but they would rather not live within "meltdown distance" of a nuclear power plant.  We all know that accidents are very rare, but when they happen, they can be quite serious.

Answer 7

NIMBYism is alive and well and not only in regards to nuclear power.  People want clean energy but when someone proposes a wind farm it is opposed because people think it will ruin the view of the nearby mountains.  Nimby is best described as when people want the benefits of industrial development but they want that industry to be far away from them.  Oil and gasoline production is the best example I can think of.  Everyody wants the benefits of lower prices from increased supply.  Nobody wants to live near a refinery.  

Answer 8

NIMBY means "not in my backyard". That's a natural reaction people have not only about nuclear power, but anything in general. When people think about nuclear power, they think about Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. That's all they hear about. They don't think about all the sulphur dioxide created from burning coal or all the acid rain it causes. People only think about what's in front of them today rather than what's down the road tomorrow.