Coal and oil are still the world’s main energy sources, but there’s massive public support for a green future. According to a new survey, people across all ages, political standpoints, education, and geographies are in favor of a shift to green energy.
The backing for green energy is clear: In the largest survey of attitudes towards green energy ever conducted, 83% in the U.S. favor a change from black to green energy. The support mirrors other countries across the world, with 80% in agreement worldwide. The support comes from all age groups, educational backgrounds and countries surveyed.
Perhaps most surprisingly, there’s strong support from all political segments. The Green Energy Barometer, conducted by Edelman Intelligence, is based on interviews with more than 26,000 people across 13 countries, including more than 2,000 in the U.S.
And there’s every reason to go full speed ahead, says Henrik Poulsen, CEO of Ørsted: “We’re at a tipping point. Green energy has become cheaper than black, and the newly released Green Energy Barometer just released shows an overwhelming public support for a shift from black to green. We owe it to the planet and to future generations to transform our energy systems from black to green. And with the economics and public opinion now supporting a shift to renewable energy, there’s no reason not to speed up the transformation.”
Support in the U.S.
The survey shows that in the U.S., 83% support a shift to renewable energy, surpassing the global average. “Here in the U.S., green energy is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, and we are eager to help boost that trend by building the offshore wind industry here,” said Thomas Brostrøm, Ørsted’s President for North America. “The public support for green energy reminds us that we are moving in the right direction – from black to green energy.”
Job creation
Concern about climate change is a major driver for support of green energy, with 69% globally being concerned about the impact of climate change.
However, backing for renewables is also heavily rooted in a range of economic and societal benefits. Seven in 10 Americans surveyed believe that it will boost economic growth and create new jobs if their respective countries were to build and produce more green energy.
Taking action
The survey is released by the energy company Ørsted, whose North America headquarters is in Boston, MA. Over the past ten years, the company has transformed from one of the most coal- and oil-intensive European utilities to the greenest energy company in Europe.
By deciding to stop using coal, selling its oil and gas production and building the world’s largest offshore wind business, the company is today dedicated to green energy.
During the last six years, Ørsted helped reduce the cost of offshore wind power by 63% and by 2023, it will have reduced its carbon emissions by 96% compared to 2006. The company entered the North American market in 2015 by acquiring rights to Bay State Wind – a proposed offshore wind farm 15 miles from Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
The company is engaged in additional offshore wind projects in New Jersey, Virginia, and British Columbia, Canada.
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Projects
