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The researchers found that Americans had a pretty sophisticated understanding of what steps would make a major difference in terms of saving energy.
Americans are worried about the nation’s energy problems and take some personal responsibility for them, but they don’t necessarily feel like they have the ability to make major changes soon to address them.
That’s according to a new survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was conducted earlier this year and released Thursday.
The survey found that 78 percent of Americans say energy issues are extremely or very important and 72 percent feel that way about gas prices.
Still, they place even more importance the economy, education and health care. And when it comes to finding solutions, they are looking to the energy industry and the government.
The poll found that 65 percent of Americans say the energy industry has major responsibility for increasing energy savings in the United States. About 58 percent said the government has that level of responsibility, and 57 percent said it fell to individuals such as themselves.
Nevertheless, Americans were willing to admit that they are at least partly to blame for the nation’s energy woes.
Nearly two-thirds of those polled said a major reason for the nation’s energy problems is that people use a lot of energy and are not willing to reduce that demand.
But the people surveyed were nearly equally likely to say that a major reason is that energy industry does not do enough to make energy-saving products and services more affordable. More than half also felt that the government should be extremely involved in finding solutions to the country’s energy problems.
The researchers found that Americans had a pretty sophisticated understanding of what steps would make a major difference in terms of saving energy, such as buying a more fuel-efficient car or installing insulation.
But they were much more likely to say that, realistically, they could make more moderate changes, such as turning down the thermostat or turning off lights, in the next year.
A major barrier to the bigger changes: The cost.
“Some of the more expensive things, like (buying a) fuel-efficient car or changing out the insulation in your home, those were some of the hardest thing that people thought to do,” said Jennifer Benz, a research scientist with NORC.
Benz said the researchers didn’t define what they meant by “energy problems,” and she noted that the term may mean many different things to many different people.
“Some people think of it in terms of cost. Some people think about it in terms of concerns about energy and the environment,” she said.
With money tight and the economy weak, Americans have been closely watching rising and falling gas prices, and paying close attention to things like heating and air conditioning bills.
But as economic concerns have taken a front seat, other research has shown that Americans are growing less concerned about the environment. After years or prioritizing the environment over economic development, a long-running Gallup poll has found that since 2009 Americans have placed higher priority on saving the economy than the planet.
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I'm not sure why the energy industry would even want to find more energy efficient ways to do things or alternative energy. As oil gets more scarce, the cost goes up and the oil companies may have less to sell, but will make more profit. So, it is a win-win for the oil companies.
There is thus little incentive for energy companies to develop alternative fuels, solar power, etc, since to do so will drive down the cost of oil. As I've observed multiple times, when there is an oil shortage, oil companies make their biggest profit. Since all companies are out to maximize their profits, not to help America or Americans, then it doesn't logically follow that those companies would develop alternative fuels or solar power, as that would just cost them money.
Thus, I see that the only way out of this is for the government to lead the way.
Of course big oil says that they are developing alternative energy sources with their profits.....but I don't think they are.
As you said, if the price of oil goes up so do their profits. Americans have to get fed up, and do something about it themselves.
Don't demonize green energy its the future.
May be the future but it is NOT cost effective yet.
No alternative will ever be "cost effective" until we stop giving the oil companies so many tax breaks and declaring high gas prices as a problem, instead of a key driver for the solution. In the mid-20th century, our government started giving huge incentives to the then fledgling oil industry (all of which are still on the books); we should now shift that support to other energy industries. We fight wars to keep the oil flowing, yet the cost of those wars is not included in the price of gas -- a primary flaw, according to our "pay to play" market philosophy. The government tax on gas sales doesn't even cover the cost of road maintenance, never mind the new roads. It's a dream scenario for the oil companies, and a nightmare for any alternative! It's a big batch of socialism in a land where people claim to loath socialism.
Stop subsidizing oil companies, and stop whining about high gas prices! In a free market country, high gas prices are the only way we'll move to more advanced sources of energy. The key role of the government right now is to educate the population about the economics of energy -- that it's expensive because it's rare and should be conserved.
Republicans deride any conservation movement, using their redneck mentality to support our "right" to a good lifestyle, the foundation of which is cheap energy. Romney chuckles, "you can't put a windmill on a car," which is an idiotic statement. He doesn't want us to think that electric cars have a future, because the business interests that he represents make higher profits if we continue the energy status quo. The only time Bush said that we should conserve was right after Katrina and Rita -- and he characterized conservation as a "temporary" need, "until we get that refinery capacity up and running again." Other than that, he said that Americans "deserve" our good lifestyle.
This is NOT good leadership, and it is a very short-sighted policy. People are like children -- they do whatever they can individually get away with. They will tend to waste that which is cheap, and conserve that which is expensive, regardless of what they think about the environment, or the geo-political instability caused by the oil trade. Adam Smith said that, and he was right.
And of course people feel helpless about this problem: it takes billions of dollars to develop alternative fuels, solar power, etc. Thus, it's the oil companies and the government that have that kind of dough.
Other countries are developing smart alternate energies, because their energy is Nationalized. Its the only way to move forward. History of the energy companies, mandate, this is our only solution, as they absolutely corrupt everything they touch.
But goodluck with that simple solution, as we can't even get voters to vote for anything but entertaining corrupt yelling and screaming. Americans will continue to suffer more and more.
As long as people insist on "choice", their huge Hummer or incandescent lights versus CFL's etc., we will have a problem.
Yes Eric, but Hummer is GONE, and incandescent 100 watters are also GONE. At least we are in the right direction.
The moment we slow down the consumption of energy is the very same moment energy costs will increase. I have spent a lot of money trying to save and reduce my energy costs, just when I see a savings the energy rates increase! You will never slow the profits of the energy company's. Of course the same can be said of any commodity driven industry, "I have it, you need it, pay up"!
Yes the only silver lining is comparison to the people who did not replace their bulbs with CFL's and insulate they are paying WAY more than you.
Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor. Problem = Solved (at least for the next couple hundred years).
Interesting that so many worry about energy, yet, 50% Vote for candidates connected with corrupt energy policies, which have to support corrupt military policies, that are absolutley needed, to protect our energy.Are American voters so weird, thay can't make positive choices, for a better world?
The collective stupidity of the American people should never cease to amaze you. Although they did wake from their stupor on the Scott Walker issue and DID the right thing. Also criminal Ben did not turn on the printing presses yesterday. MAYBE I will change my tune. Remember the comrade Obammy pledge, "under my cap and trade energy prices will necessarily skyrocket".
Americans claim to loath socialism, yet our current attitude toward energy is more socialistic than in any European country. Energy is an expensive good, yet Americans scream at our government to to spend common resources to make it cheap, so we can continue to waste it. That's a stupid use of common resources. We should instead scream at our government directly and effectively address the risks caused by so much oil consumption.
Expensive gas is not a problem. It's both a symptom and a key part of the solution. The real problem is our dependence on an imported good that comes from unstable, highly socialistic countries, and is getting harder to find. The best way to address THAT problem is to ensure that the stuff is expensive, while ensuring that the additional profit doesn't flow to OPEC -- ie., by ensuring that a big chunk of the price increase is in tax, whatever the form. Otherwise, trying to decrease our dependence is like pissing into the wind.
Obama has the right attitude toward energy. Unfortunately, America is filled with rednecks who want to have their cake and eat it too.
I just know my power company "Pepco Holdings Inc" who charges some of the higest rates on the east coast cried to its shareholders that "Profits were down because of a warm winter". Global warming ate into their profits one time & they made that statement. Hows it fair to the consumers for big business to expect an easy payout all the time?
We worry about energy, but feel powerless to act - With comrade Obammy in the White House you are completely correct in your headline.
The collective stupidity of the American people should never cease to amaze you. Although they did wake from their stupor on the Scott Walker issue and DID the right thing. Also criminal Ben did not turn on the printing presses yesterday. MAYBE I will change my tune. Remember the comrade Obammy pledge, "under my cap and trade energy prices will necessarily skyrocket".
As long as energy companies are for profit we all will loose. I'm all for nationalizing the energy companies al though it will never happen in the US because of our corrupt politicos who are beholding to their rich corporate masters.
NOT the companies, But the Natural rescources , Nationalize all of them, and Lease out the TERMS by which they are SOLD, Refined and Used. PS, NO MORE EXPORTS.
We are incredibly wasteful and arrogant. We are only 5% of the population but use 20% of the energy? My "footprint" is very low as I drive little, conserve electricity, recycle my table scraps into compost, grow my own veggies and I have rainbarrels that allow me to conserve water. Who knew I was eco friendly? LOL!
I recommend Resilient Communities.com to anyone trying to find solutions to these problems: high energy prices; a bad (and worsening) economy, and a seemingly crappy future. The site presents some novel do-it-yourself solutions that can help you and your community be better prepared to face these problems.
The Government can regulate that provide low cost energy , using OUR NATURAL rescoruces. Period. They are the only ones that can help us.
Expensive energy is not the problem; it's the symptom of the market forces at work. It's also a key part of the solution. We waste that which is cheap, and conserve that which is expensive. (Adam Smith.) We should first address the consumption problem, and the cost hurdles that alternative energy sources have to get over, and only THEN start worrying about how much oil we're not getting from under our national parks and sensative offshore fisheries.
Increased drilling in America is a very short-sighted focus. It doesn't solve anything, and only puts us further behind in the race to find alternative energy solutions.
I work for a coal fired power plant. With the new pollution controls we have, 99.6 percent of our particulates are removed from our exhaust. Obama has called for closing coal fired plants. We wholesale power for 6 cents a kilowatt. The green plants produce for 15 cents a kilowatt but are subsidized by the government at this point. When the government stops subsidizing, expect your bills to double, if not triple. Coal is cheap and abundant. It is a very efficient source of energy and if our plant has a blow out, it doesn't affect the community like nuclear.
Obama/Biden "We will lie for your votes, and were being honest"
The present President and Congress, can no longer be trusted to administrate this Nation, its People and our Rescources. "GA Berry"
Did you know that Government has blocked New Sustainable Living Construction Techniques at Every turn... Government puts obstacles in the way as stumbling blocks to frustrate innovative individuals. Instead of Utilizing Recyclable Materials that improve energy performance, We must all Pay and Pay to the Powers that Be. Government makes HUGE MONEY On energy taxes. Government Needs that Money since we have been bankrupt for nearly 100 years now.
How is it that a Bankrupt Country can be the wealthiest country? How is it that a Bankrupt country can be the Hegemony of the World??
How is it that American Corporations can take jobs out of the country, Hide their money overseas and SQUEEZE the government to give them a tax break or they will not bring that money home??
Does the phrase "Traitorous Action" Mean Anything anymore?? Those corporations have done Far more damage to the American People than all of the terrorists over all of the History of this country. And those Wall street Fat Cats get their 10 million dollar a year bonus's because they figure out ways to separate the working man from his hard earned wages, retirement and now finally, his Home.
Is that the new American Way?? Legal Theft??? RANT OVER!!!
400PPM of planet warming gas & climbing with highs forecast at 97 degrees next week on the eastcoast of the US.