Early public impressions of terrestrial carbon capture and storage in a coal-intensive state.
While carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered to be critical to achieving long-term climate-protection goals, public concerns about the CCS practice could pose significant obstacles to its deployment. This study reports findings from the first state-wide survey of public perceptions of CCS in a coal-intensive state, with an analysis of which factors predict early attitudes toward CCS. Nearly three-quarters of an Indiana sample (N = 1001) agree that storing carbon underground is a good approach to protecting the environment, despite 80% of the sample being unaware of CCS prior to participation in the two-wave survey. The majority of respondents do not hold strong opinions about CCS technology. Multivariate analyses indicate that support for CCS is predicted by a belief that humankind contributes to climate change, a preference for increased use of renewable energy, and egalitarian and individualistic worldviews, while opposition to CCS is predicted by self-identified political conservatism and by selective attitudes regarding energy and climate change. Knowledge about early impressions of CCS can help inform near-term technology decisions at state regulatory agencies, utilities, and pipeline companies, but follow-up surveys are necessary to assess how public sentiments evolve in response to image-building efforts with different positions on coal and CCS.
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-1701, United States. scarley@indiana.edu
Sanya R
SR
Carley
Rachel M
RM
Krause
David C
DC
Warren
John A
JA
Rupp
John D
JD
Graham
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D057965:Carbon Sequestration; D057231:Climate Change; D003031:Coal / Q000009:adverse effects; D003032:Coal Mining; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011639:Public Opinion
D003031:Coal