Hunter Valley residents show their green credentials

A majority of Hunter Valley residents who participated in a CSIRO survey last year believe the environment is as important as, or more important, than the economy according to new research.

The new report, prepared by the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship, found the surveyed Hunter Valley residents support a mix of energy supplies with a growing desire for renewable energy and carbon capture and storage to combat climate change.

The CSIRO conducted a series of workshops with residents of Muswellbrook and Singleton to gauge their understanding of, and attitudes towards, climate change and power generation.

CSIRO researcher Peta Ashworth, said the research underlined the challenges facing moves to reduce carbon emissions in Australia.

"Our research found participants understood the urgency of addressing climate change, they were prepared to look at alternatives and they were prepared to make changes such as putting in less energy intensive light bulbs," Ms Ashworth said.

"Initially, we found there was less support for paying more for power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, whether through paying for renewable energy, or because of an emissions trading scheme.

"We found however that as participants received more education about the effects of climate change and the issues involved, they were more supportive of taking such direct, personal action.

"This research shows residents are supportive of efforts to combat climate change and are prepared to take action and make personal sacrifices to do it.

"However, to do this they want to be properly informed and understand how their actions will contribute to this national, indeed global effort."

The research, the first of its kind and sponsored by Coal & Allied, was designed to understand what Hunter Valley residents know about climate change and how their knowledge and attitude may differ with the provision of balanced information.

"From the sample of Hunter Valley residents surveyed we found that people had fairly 'green' attitudes towards the environment and a strong desire was expressed for the government to take a leadership role in tackling climate change," Ms Ashworth said.

"Importantly, this research will help us understand how a person's knowledge and actions develop and change as they receive more information and discuss and debate the important issue of climate change.

The CSIRO workshops will be held in Muswellbrook at 11:00am-5:00pm on Tuesday 28 October, and in Singleton at 9:00am - 3:00pm on Wednesday 29 October 2008.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
Coal & Allied - Alison Smith 0438 787 038
CSIRO - Linley Davis (02) 4960 6116

Research findings in brief:
• 47.22% of respondents believed the environment was more important than the economy.
• 36.11% of respondents believed the environment was equally as important as the economy.
• Participants were most supportive of reducing their household energy consumption and buying electricity from renewable resources.
• Respondents were prepared to pay more for electricity, but preferred smaller increases.
• Government intervention was seen as a key component to changing people's behaviour and energy consumption.
• 92% of participants believed climate change was an important issue and should be addressed by urgent action.
• Participants believed industry should play a greater role in energy conservation.
• An equal number of participants were for and against the use of coal (42%).
• Many participants believed there was a need for a mix of energy technologies with preference for renewable energies in the long term.

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