Polling reveals climate concern rises in country regions; locals name bushfires, heatwaves and floods as key reasons for this
Energy company profiteering blamed most for high bills
63% of residents living in regional Renewable Energy Zones support the shift to clean energy, just 17% oppose
Concern about climate change is increasing; country people blame energy companies for high bills, and support for clean energy is very strong: these are the results of polling of residents of Renewable Energy Zones.
The news was revealed in a poll of 1,965 residents across Renewable Energy Zones in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, completed on March 20 . The research was carried out by 89 Degrees East, a member of The Research Society of Australia.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt, said it was time the voices of regional communities were listened to.
"Some 32% of regional people polled are more concerned about climate change than they were a year ago. Those polled say their concern is driven by bushfires, heatwaves and floods," Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.
"Energy company profiteering was blamed as the main driver of high energy bills (50% of those polled). Others named coal breakdowns and international events as causes for high energy bills; just 16% thought clean energy was responsible.
"Solar is seen as the 'significant energy source' of the future, named by 67% of REZ residents, followed by onshore wind (43%), offshore wind (41%) and pumped hydro (39%). Coal and gas trail at 29% each, with nuclear last at 24%.
"Support for coal, gas and nuclear is particularly low in the Hunter, Illawarra and Gippsland. In the Hunter, coal was seen as a significant future energy source by 30%, gas by 25%, and nuclear by 22%. In the Illawarra: coal 25%, gas 28%, nuclear 26%. In Gippsland: gas 31%, coal 28%, nuclear 24%. In Central Queensland, solar support is especially strong at 68%, while nuclear is the least supported energy generation source at 25%.
"The data showed a striking gap between real and perceived support for clean energy in the regions. Many who support the shift to clean energy do not realise they are part of the quiet majority. Media and social media algorithms will continue to promote conflict, and FCA will continue to listen to farmers, not Facebook."
