Coastal Management 2017

2017 Coastal Opinions
Energy

By Chad Tapie, Josiah Latthitham, and Timothy Sullivan

                             –  Out with the old and in with the new says the public  –

                   Photo Obtained from George Miller                    Photo Obtained from Julia Botero

Introduction

The energy history of the United States is one of significant change with new forms of energy frequently developed and implemented. These three fossil fuels have dominated the U.S. fuel mix for well over 100 years with the three fuels being (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), accounting for 87% of total U.S. primary energy over the past decade. Recent increases in the domestic production of petroleum liquids and natural gas has instigated shifts between the proportion of fossil fuels, largely in part from coal-fired to natural gas-fired power generation. Regardless, these three energy sources are likely to continue dominating our energy production into the future (EIA 2013).

Overview of Current Situation

In 2016, about 4.08 trillion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity were generated at utility-scale facilities in the United States (EIA 2017).  About 65% of this electricity generation was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases), about 20% was from nuclear energy, and about 15% was from renewable energy sources. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that an additional 19 billion kWh (or about 0.02 trillion kWh) of electricity generation was from small-scale solar photovoltaic systems in 2016 (EIA 2017).

To better visualize the disparity between these three main sources, the results are represented in a bar graph.

(Data Obtained from US Energy Information Administration 2013)

Results Across California

In May of 2017, the California Public Utilities Commission conducted a poll of 5,000 state residents, accounting for ethnic, gender and county population.

Among their findings:

• 86 % said it is important to find alternative energy sources such as solar and wind
• 84 % said environmental challenges like climate change are important issues
• 81 % said they were willing to take an extra step if it means being more environmentally conscious
• 79 % said they believe California should do more to implement smarter, more efficient energy practices

Results More Localized

From September 2017 to November 2017, 1,487 Surveys were conducted in the Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties. This research was conducted by students at CSU Channel Islands. The following questions were particularly relevant for our understanding of energy perceptions.

Global Climate Change is a major problem we need to address now.

• 82% said Yes
• 10% said No
• 8%   said Unsure

Think about the different factors that may be influencing California’s coastal resources. Which factor do you think plays a bigger role: nature or people?

• 56% said Humans
• 5%   said Nature
• 38% said Both

The health of California’s coastal ocean is better now than 60 years ago.

• 51% said No
• 16% said Yes
• 33% said Unsure

Moving power plants inland/off our beaches/coastal wetland

• Very Positive 14%

• Positive 30%
• Unsure 30%
• Very Negative 3%
• Negative 5%
• Neutral 19%
  

Which of the following comes closer to your opinion of our economic system in the US:

• Rigged 65%
• Fair 12%
• Unsure 23%

Interpretation

Our key takeaway from this study, as far as energy is concerned, is that Californians’ views on climate change and renewable energy are changing over time.   More importantly, people are more aware than ever that our actions as humans are seriously affecting our biosphere as a whole, particularly our use of carbon based fossil fuels.  Across California people are aware of climate change, and of fossil fuel production being a major driving force. (84% are concerned about climate change and 86% want to change our energy sources).  (California Public Utilities Commission 2017)

Although the vast majority of people are willing to admit that climate change is an emergency issue we need to address now, a smaller percentage is willing to put all the blame on humans for over all issues regarding coastal resources.  Only 56% of people taking the survey say humans alone are to blame, while 38% say it is both humans and nature that are to blame for our coastal and marine issues (Anderson Opinion Poll 2017).  

About half the people (51%) questioned said that our coastal ocean is worse now than 60 years ago.  (Anderson Opinion Poll 2017)  This indicated to us that we have an awareness of our negative impacts on our oceans health.  In addition to 30% of the surveyors feeling positive in comparison to a mere 5% feeling negative about moving power plants off the beach, (Anderson Opinion Poll 2017) shows to us that we need to address new ways of producing energy that is less detrimental to our oceans and environment.  

While many people were unsure if moving powerplants off our beaches is a good thing, it was notably skewed toward positive feelings.  Many people know that powerplants are an issue (no matter where they are) due to encompassing pollutants like runoff and exhaust.  But just under half (45%) believe in the seriousness of having power plants near the coast.  (Anderson Opinion Poll 2017)  This coincides with the statistics regarding California’s coastal health and human influence on said health as all three have about half of the survey takers having views that suggest that California and its citizens need to improve their coast and lifestyles.  Larger percentages are willing to change lifestyles at 79% (California Public Utilities Commision), while our polls show smaller percentages are willing to commit to specific practices and beliefs when asked specific questions.  This may be due to a portion of the population reacting to the effects of income demographics. An income analysis showed slight disparities between the sentiment of two income demographics toward removing power plants from beaches. People with a household income of less than $90k per year felt more negatively and people with a household income greater than $90k per year felt more positively.  (Anderson Opinion Poll 2017)  While a majority of the population understands that ecological services benefit everyone in the long term, the opinion of certain demographics can be influenced by factors that influence them in the short term.

Around 30% of these poll takers say they visit natural areas, specifically beaches, but few say they visit the Channel Islands or other National Parks very often.  This is a much smaller percentage than the number of people who express environmental concern, proving you don’t need to be an outdoors person to be concerned with environmental health and resource management.  On the other hand, 65% of people believe our political system is rigged proving you don’t need to have knowledge of environmental needs to lack trust in our government.  

REFERENCES

Anderson, Sean.  “Marine Protected Areas-America & California Part 3” Lecture 2017

“Energy Sources Have Changed throughout the History of the United States.” Today In Energy, US Energy Information Administration, 3 July 2013, www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=11951.

Nikolewski, Rob. “When It Comes to Energy, Are Americans from Mars and Californians from Venus?” Sandiegouniontribune.com, San Diego Union Tribune, 5 Oct. 2017, www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/sd-fi-californians-venusmars-20170619-story.html.

“What Is U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source?” What Is U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source? – FAQ – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), US Energy Information Administration, 18 Apr. 2017, www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3.

California Public Utilities Commission ???????

Anderson, Sean.  “Opinion Poll Data” 2017,