Bipartisan support for reduced dependence on carbon-based energy sources by 2050 exists in the United States, but the policy preferences for achieving this goal show strong partisan differences, according to a study. In the United States, a majority of carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels used for energy production. Shahzeen Attari and colleagues sought to understand public perceptions of current and future energy mixes in the United States to help engage the public in carbon reduction. The authors surveyed 2,429 US residents online, asking about their perceptions of the current mix of energy sources and hopes for that mix in 2050. Regardless of self-described political leaning, participants generally underestimated the contribution of oil and natural gas to the current energy mix, overestimated the contributions of wind and solar energy, and did not feel that climate change was the most important issue currently facing the United States. Participants also showed a strong preference toward a steep increase in solar and wind energy and a steep decrease in oil, natural gas, and coal for 2050. Participants differed in their preference for policies to drive decarbonization. According to the authors, pursuing a decarbonized energy system may represent a politically viable path.
Article # 19-20558: "Shared vision for a decarbonized future energy system in the United States," by Deidra Miniard, Joseph Kantenbacher, and Shahzeen Z. Attari
MEDIA CONTACT: Shahzeen Z. Attari, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; tel: 812-855-1467; e-mail: sattari@indiana.edu
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences