What Factors Drive Public Attitudes towards Energy Transition? A Case Study in Illinois, Texas, and Vermont
Abstract
The U.S has determined that drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (net-zero emissions) can play a big role in mitigating climate change impacts and risks. This has led to increasing calls from federal and state policy makers to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and adjust energy policies accordingly. However, such changes are often met with high levels of societal resistance which slows down or even halts the processes. This underscores the need to examine the factors that shape public attitudes towards energy transition. This research examined survey data collected from three U.S. regions: Burlington, Vermont, a city that has transitioned to 100% renewable energy, Houston, Texas, a city with present and historical ties to the oil industry and an emerging solar industry, and Saline County, Illinois, a county with a long history of coal mining. By developing a structural equation model, we addressed the following questions: 1) how supportive are people of energy transition, 2) what are the key indicators associated with support of energy transition and how significantly are they interconnected, and 3) how do pre-existing ideas about economic identity, climate change, and hope in the future of renewable energy - affect public views on energy transition? This research offers an increased understanding of the factors that affect acceptability of different energy policies and system changes.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022AGUFMSY52B0201N