Energy issues and public awareness: an AP-NORC poll
You may have heard recently about the results of an energy poll conducted by the Associated Press in conjunction with the National Opinion Research Center. According to the headline on one of the AP press releases , “Americans know how to save energy, but balk.”
It will take me a while to digest all of the poll data that has been released, but the need for greater public awareness and greater willingness to accept personal responsibility is readily apparent. (I refer to the research highlights in this post. I expect to delve into the more detailed top line results for several future posts.)
Poll takers made seven statements and asked whether each one was a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason at all for America’s energy problems. Here are two of them:
- People use a lot of energy and they are not willing to reduce that demand.
- People use a lot of energy and they do not know how to reduce that demand.
It strikes me as odd, to say the least, that while 60% of respondents considered people’s ignorance of how to reduce energy demand is a major reason, even more, 64%, called people’s unwillingness a major reason.
So most people recognize that the general public is not well informed, but even more told poll takers that people’s (meaning other people’s?) unwillingness to change is a major problem. My, aren’t we a judgmental lot!
Who has a large amount of responsibility for increasing energy savings?
- Energy industry, 65%
- Federal government, 58%
- Individuals, 57%
- Businesses, 54%
- State and local government, 50%
Meanwhile, 18% said that the US government has little or no responsibility, 13% that individuals have little to no responsibility. Only 41% believe that the actions of individuals can make much difference at all.
Overall, it appears that we know a little bit about all sorts of issues and programs related to energy, but not much in particular about any of them. Most of us get information from TV news or newspapers, but don’t trust it much.
