Facilitating Climate Change Responses A Report of Two Workshops on Knowledge from the Social and Behavioral Sciences (2010) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 Public Acceptance of Energy Technologies
3 Public Acceptance of Energy Technologies
Pages 45-60
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 45... ...
In this chapter several leading scholars review the research on public reactions to newly emerging technologies, to the siting of potentially hazardous facilities, and to two specific energy technologies: offshore wind and CCS. The presentations showed that empirical research can help decision processes by identifying public concerns that are not otherwise obvious.
|
From page 46... ...
In his view, it will be hard to proceed with renewable energy developments without taking public acceptance issues into consideration. Kasperson's views were shaped by a couple of decades of work on nuclear power issues.
|
From page 47... ...
He cited data from a new study (Spence et al., 2010) indicating that concern about climate change is positively correlated with support for renewable energy, such as solar and wind, but not with support for building new nuclear power plants, even though nuclear power is largely carbon free (see Figure 3-1)
|
From page 48... ...
4 FACILITATING CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSES 100 90 83 Percentage Endorsing Statement 76 80 69 70 57 54 60 53 50 40 Not very / at all Fairly concerned Very concerned about concerned about about climate change climate change climate change I am willing to accept the building of new nuclear power stations if it would help to tackle climate change. Promoting renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is a better way of tackling climate change than nuclear power.
|
From page 49... ...
In the brief discussion, Thomas Dietz asked whether it is known how people perceive the new industries and regulators that are promoting renewable energy technologies. Pidgeon replied that people generally have a very positive attitude toward wind and other renewables, which might give proponents a reservoir of trust.
|
From page 50... ...
The literature is very large. Work on low-carbon energy sources is heavily skewed to wind, with very little recent work on siting solar arrays and only one study on geothermal energy.
|
From page 51... ...
Tuler replied that there is very little research on the topic. He noted that one set of studies concluded that siting of renewable energy facilities has proved hardest in states with renewable portfolio standards.
|
From page 52... ...
. However, in Massachusetts, the existing power plant has not become an issue in the discussion over the offshore wind project, whereas in Delaware coal appears to be no longer socially acceptable.
|
From page 53... ...
Firestone reported that the main reasons for support are foreign oil dependence, especially in Massachusetts, and the possibility that wind power will mean stability in electricity rates. Strong majorities in both locations indicate they would be more supportive of their local project if it was the first project of some 300 offshore wind projects -- that is, if it is part of a transformative energy policy.
|
From page 54... ...
Firestone said that one study in Oregon shows public acceptance, but it is not clear if this indicates general or site-specific support. He noted that wave power is an issue on the West Coast because the continental shelf drops off quickly, making it difficult to site wind turbines at a distance using conventional technology.
|
From page 55... ...
They also provided seven portfolios of technologies, each of which would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 70 percent compared with pulverized coal power plants. A total of 54 participants studied the material at home, were given more information in a session at their community organizations, and then held a group discussion.
|
From page 56... ...
Bruine de Bruin said that her group has shown that it can produce useful information materials, which would be useful for opinion leaders, most of whom are not CCS experts. Pidgeon noted that on the nanotechnology issue the initial positive reaction from Greenpeace in the United Kingdom influenced other environmental groups to join the process -- something that did not happen with genetically modified foods.
|
From page 57... ...
; (3) a staff that includes domain specialists, decision analysts, social scientists, and system specialists to make the engagement process sound; and (4)
|
From page 58... ...
Failures can arise from institutional inertia, inappropriate staffing (especially a lack of social scientists) , isolation from lay people's concerns, indifference to lay concerns, and incentives for making the public look bad so decision makers gain power.
|
From page 59... ...
4. He noted Firestone's finding that, as more people were informed about offshore wind power, they became more favorable toward the technology, asking how that finding squares with public accep tance in Europe, which has gone in the reverse direction.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.