Survey: Alternative Energy Sources are Vital for Survival
The international image of America is a country that is constantly creating roadblocks in the way of reaching a global agreement on climate change and environmental protection. Americans are seen as totally oblivious to the issues of global warming, and energy and food crisis. Recent research shows a totally different outlook. When asked if it’s important for the U.S. to develop and use solar energy, 92% of Americans responded “yes,” according to a recent survey by Kelton Research.
One question asked, were they to become President, what sort of renewable energy resource they would give more preference to, and the answer was:
- Solar – 43 percent
- Wind – 17 percent
- Natural gas – 12 percent
- Nuclear – 10 percent
“The SCHOTT Solar Barometer confirms our belief that Americans are ready for solar energy,” said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. “We’ve invested over $100 million in Albuquerque, New Mexico and created hundreds of green jobs manufacturing innovative solar products.”
“With controversial debates happening all over America, this isn’t one of them,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “Americans overwhelmingly want clean, reliable solar energy for their homes and businesses. It’s now time for Congress to listen to the American public and prioritize the use of solar in upcoming energy legislation. By expanding the U.S. market for solar, Congress will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs in all 50 states.”
Surprisingly, last June (2008) the percentage of Americans positively responding was 94% but this could also be the error margin according to the researchers involved with Kelton Research, the independent polling firm that conducted the research.
And this opinion transcends political ideologies and socio-economic backgrounds. The support for solar energy consistently pervades across political party affiliation with 89% of Republicans, 94% of Democrats and 93% of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.
According to the survey, 49% of Americans have shown an inclination towards the use of solar energy for domestic and business purposes in the next five years, but only 12 percent claim to be “extremely informed” about solar.
