Renewables good, fracking bad – new survey

Friends of the Earth Scotland today welcomed the results of a new public opinion survey which shows that most people are positive about renewables energy like wind farms but that unconventional gas and fracking is even more unpopular than nuclear power.

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

“Renewable energy is already playing a huge role in reducing Scotland’s climate change emissions. It is great news that the vast majority of people support Scotland developing even more renewable energy schemes. These figures show the reality that even for onshore windfarms there are only a small number of people who really don’t like them and few tourists are bothered about seeing them.

“Unconventional gas exploration, like fracking and the current coalbed methane proposals at Airth are deeply unpopular, with most people preferring even a nuclear power station to shale gas in their area. Despite the wilder claims from industry, unconventional gas is expensive and dirty, and clearly no vote winner. The Government should rule it out for Scotland.

The survey was carried out by polling firm YouGov on behalf of Scottish Renewables. The result were revealed today at Scottish Renewables annual conference and show that:

64% support the continued development of wind power, only 20% oppose it.69% of people said that a wind farm would not affect their decision to visit an area of Scotland, 26% said that it would.If a large scale energy development is proposed in their area people would much rather have a renewables scheme like hydro, solar or wind than a coal, oil, gas or nuclear development. Shale gas came last with only 24% of people thinking this was a good idea. Hydropower was more than three times more popular.The vast majority of people would prefer their energy to come from renewables. Only 1% would like it to come from shale gas.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

1. Scottish Renewables Annual Conference:
www.scottishrenewables.com/events/annual-conference-exhibition-2013

2. Our report showing how Scotland can meet its energy needs from efficiency and renewables: Power of Scotland Secured,
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/power-secured

3. For more information on unconventional gas developments see:
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/fracking

4. Friends of the Earth Scotland is * Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation * An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland * Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk