Poll finds European and American adults unwilling to pay for CO2 reduction
A February ’08 Financial Times/Harris Interactive poll has found that while many European and American adults are quick to claim that they support for green and renewable energy, when the costs of using that energy are revealed, support rapidly drops off.
The online poll interviewed "6,448 adults aged 16-64 within France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and the United States."
Initially, a majority of British and German respondents (54% and 50% respectively) that were described as "having some form of responsibility for paying household energy bills," said they would not be willing to pay an increased rate for energy from renewable resources. Similar responses were given by fewer Italian (44%), French (42%), American (40%), and Spanish (35%) respondents.
When European Commission figures, estimating an addittional € 150, £ 110, or $220 per month to cut greenhouse gas emissions and use renewable energy, were added, "strong majorities … in all six countries say they would be not at all likely to pay this extra amount."
The report on this poll wraps up by noting that while there is support for the idea of renewable energy, it is abundantly clear that the vast majority of adults in both Europe and the United States will simply refuse to pay the added costs for so-called green energy, unless it becomes far more competitive or they are forced to do so through legislation.
"When it comes to food or solar power," the report states, "food will win for the consumer each time."