Pike Research conducted a web-based consumer survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, based on a nationally representative and demographically balanced sample, during the fourth quarter of 2011. As part of that survey, to better understand consumer attitudes about energy and environmental concepts, Pike Research asked respondents to rate their impressions of 13 specific topics…Solar energy…Wind energy…Clean coal…Nuclear power…Hybrid vehicles…Biofuels…Electric cars…Natural gas cars…Smart grid…Smart meters…Carbon offsets/credits…Cap and trade…[and] LEED certification…Key Findings• With more than three-quarters of respondents (77%) favoring the concept, solar energy led in terms of favorable responses• Cap and trade received the fewest favorable responses, with only 14%• Carbon credits/offsets, nuclear power, and cap and trade garnered the most unfavorable reactions with 25%, 23%, and 22%, respectively, while solar and smart grid had the smallest percentage of negative responses (6% each).• Consumers were least familiar with LEED certification, with 45% of respondents reporting that they were “not sure/not familiar” with the concept. In contrast, solar energy and hybrid vehicles were recognizable to nearly all consumers.
One take away is that, although Ronald Reagan might retain popularity among Americans, his idea of Cap and Trade has been successfully demonized by the right wing noise machine. Might be time to consider what more and more conservatives are advocating, a direct tax on carbon instead of income.
Good to remember, as I noted yesterday, that the right wing whack machine hated the internet, which Rush Limbaugh continually lambasted as “AlGore’s Information Superhighway” – until they found out how useful it was for repeating lies and disinformation endlessly. It’ll be harder for them to pervert the unlimited energy of the sun and wind, though I am sure they will make a go at it.
Meanwhile, renewables continue to be an unstoppable idea whose time has come….
Below – Mitt Romney digs his hole deeper, – inexplicably explaining that he knows cars don’t have wind turbines on them.
What is this supposed to mean? ‘Favorable impression’ sounds wishy-washy…the trouble is when people are asked to pay for things
Energy Independence is a good thing with or without the reality of global warming. Read “Reinventing Fire” by Amory Lovins. He argues that no matter what your views are about politics or the environment it is in your own best interests to embrace energy efficiency and renewable energy. He says if we take all the right steps we can have both economic prosperity and energy independence without fossil fuels.