Articles
1. Would you support a global agreement to ban all fossil-fuel subsidies?
Yes: 51%
No: 35%
Don’t know: 14%
Half of PE readers think a global ban on fossil-fuel subsidies is a good idea. The received opinion is that fossil fuels are in decline, and that a managed transition to low-carbon fuels, with the dirtiest fuels phased out first, should be agreed upon and conducted
2. Do you agree that climate change should be the most influential issue when forming energy policy?
Yes: 47%
No: 48%
Don’t know: 5%
The equal split here represents the fine balance policy-makers are faced with. Other issues mentioned the most by readers were energy security and economic impact – there was a strong argument that the present day should be looked after first.
3. Do you think that the development of carbon capture and storage technology will lead to more fossil fuels being used in the future?
Yes: 40%
No: 41%
Don’t know: 19%
Many PE readers believe the relative abundance of fossil fuels and increasing global energy demands leave little option but to develop CCS technology. However, slightly more believe low-carbon sources of electricity will fill this future requirement, not fossil fuels.
4. Do you think developing countries such as India and China are justified in their use of fossil fuels to improve their industries and living standards?
Yes: 59%
No: 33%
Don’t know: 8%
Those questioned clearly place an improvement in living standards above other concerns. Most believe there is no moral room for manoeuvre for Western countries, and that developing economies need to be supported in order to direct them towards lower-carbon energy sources. A valid point also, though, is that the West should not feel over-obliged to help – countries such as China and India also have a responsibility to the environment.
5. Do you agree that this century will see the use of renewable energy sources overtake the use of fossil fuels?
Yes: 60%
No: 30%
Don’t know: 10%
The decline of fossil fuels is behind PE readers’ belief in renewables more than anything else. Many also berated the lack of the nuclear option in this question. Many believe both fission and fusion will be important sources of energy this century.
6. Do you think the growth and use of energy crops for fuel is more sustainable than the use of fossil fuels?
Yes: 37%
No: 49%
Don’t know: 14%
Energy crops are usually unpopular. People struggle to see the sense in the use of arable land for something other than food when the global population is growing. However a sizeable number of readers feel that, when done in a controlled and sustainable way, biofuels have a role to play in the future energy mix.
7. Do you think that the public health impact of fossil-fuel use in industrial and transport applications is properly accounted for?
Yes: 21%
No: 65%
Don’t know: 14%
This question is implicitly asking about emissions, tax and transparency. Overwhelmingly, PE readers believe the current set-up is ineffective. The most sensible option, many suggest, is for honest long-term policy and cooperation from big business.
8. Would you favour R&D investment for renewable sources of energy over investment for oil and gas exploration and exploitation?
Yes: 78%
No: 17%
Don’t know: 5%
A resounding ‘yes’ shows engineers’ faith in innovation to provide the answers to our future energy needs. For most, the overriding factor is that the remaining resources of fossil fuels are finite and potentially damaging to the environment. Strategic exploitation of our re-sources, whether renewable, nuclear or our remaining fossil fuels, to provide clean, secure and reliable energy is called for.
Would you like to participate in the PE reader surveys? If so send us an email to pe@caspianmedia.com with the words Panel Member in the subject box and we will add you to future correspondence.