Exploring support for shale gas extraction in the United Kingdom

Andersson-Hudson, Jessica; Knight, W. Andy; Humphrey, Mathew; O’Hara, Sarah L.

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2016.09.042

Cited by 36 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…These results differ from the findings of the September 2014 Nottingham tracker survey, which showed that respondents who answered the knowledge question correctly were more likely to support fracking than others (Andersson-Hudson et al, 2016). However, that survey design was significantly different: the question about support was asked after several questions about impacts associated with fracking, more of which were positive than negative.…”

Section: Support For Frackingcontrasting

confidence: 87%

“…Although conceptually there may be some difference between these amalgamated responses, this recoding is justified because if a 'don't know' option had not been offered it would have been natural for respondents to choose the neutral point of the scale, expressing no decided opinion; further, an uncertain response is clearly between a positive and a negative response when considering the ordering of responses for non-parametric statistical tests (cf. also Andersson-Hudson et al, 2016). Differences in opinions between those who answered question 1 correctly (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the USA, some studies suggest that greater knowledge/familiarity is associated with lower levels of support and higher risk perceptions (Boudet et al, 2014;Choma et al, 2016), but Stedman et al (2016) found support and knowledge about fracking to be unrelated in the USA. In contrast, knowledge appears to be positively associated with support in the UK (Andersson-Hudson et al, 2016;Stedman et al, 2016;Whitmarsh et al, 2015). Why, then, has support decreased and opposition increased as more people become aware of fracking in the UK?…”

Section: Public Opinionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The first question was taken from the Nottingham tracker survey (see Andersson-Hudson et al, 2016); it is designed to test whether respondents possess basic knowledge about hydraulic fracturing, rather than relying on self-assessment of their understanding of the term. The question read:…”

Section: Survey Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

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UK public beliefs about fracking and effects of knowledge on beliefs and support: A problem for shale gas policy

Howell

2018

Energy Policy

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This paper discusses a survey of public opinions on hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') for shale gas, conducted with a representative sample of 1745 British adults. Unusually, it examines beliefs about positive and negative statements about fracking as well as support/opposition. A majority of respondents correctly answered an initial question testing basic knowledge of shale gas extraction. More respondents supported fracking in Britain (36%) than opposed it (32%) but only 22% supported fracking locally, while 45% were opposed. Respondents were more united in negative beliefs than positive beliefs about fracking. More knowledgeable participants held more polarised views and were significantly more likely than others to agree with negative statements and to oppose fracking in their local area. More respondents disagreed than agreed that it is possible to compensate for fracking risks by payments to local communities. Policy implications include: increasing public knowledge about fracking will not necessarily lead to more positive beliefs and support regarding shale gas developments; promoting alleged economic benefits of shale gas is not enough to ensure support; engaging in genuinely inclusive participatory decision-making may be more likely to increase support than offering payments to communities; alternatively, developing more renewable energy capacity promises to be more popular than fracking. Highlights ► Results of a survey of a representative sample of 1745 British adults ► Respondents were more united in negative beliefs than positive beliefs about fracking ► More knowledgeable respondents more likely than others to agree with negative statements ► Much less support for fracking 'within 10 miles of home' than in Britain generally ► Acceptance of alleged economic benefits of fracking does not ensure support

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Section: Support For Frackingcontrasting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Public Opinionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Survey Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

UK public beliefs about fracking and effects of knowledge on beliefs and support: A problem for shale gas policy

Howell

2018

Energy Policy

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“…In August 2013, Cuadrilla drilled an exploratory borehole at Balcombe, West Sussex, United Kingdom. Protests against hydraulic fracturing for shale gas development that took place at the drilling site between July and September 2013 were widely publicized (Andersson‐Hudson, Knight, & Humphrey, ).…”

Section: Cases Of Suspected Induced and Triggered Seismicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the risks of induced seismicity in subsurface energy operations

Porter

Striolo

Mahgerefteh

et al. 2018

WIREs Energy & Environment

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Shale gas could help address the insatiable global demand for energy. However, in addition to risks of environmental pollution, the risk of induced seismicity during the hydraulic fracturing process is often considered as the major showstopper in the public acceptability of shale gas as an alternative source of fossil fuel. Other types of subsurface energy development have also demonstrated similar induced seismicity risks. This article presents an interdisciplinary review of notable cases of suspected induced seismicity relating to subsurface energy operations, covering operations for hydraulic fracturing, wastewater injection, conventional gas extraction, enhanced geothermal systems and water impoundment. Possible causal mechanisms of induced seismicity are described and illustrated, then methods to mitigate induced seismicity, encompassing regulations, including so‐called traffic light systems, monitoring and assessment, and numerical modeling approaches for predicting the occurrence of induced seismicity are outlined. Issues relating to public perception of energy technologies in regards to induced seismicity potential are also discussed. This article is categorized under: Photovoltaics > Climate and Environment Fossil Fuels > Climate and Environment Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy Energy and Development > Systems and Infrastructure

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Public perceptions of shale gas in the UK: framing effects and decision heuristics

McNally

Howley

Cotton

2018

Energ. Ecol. Environ.

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Using two equivalent descriptions of the shale gas development process, we asked individuals to indicate their levels of support as well as their perceptions of the risks and costs involved. In version 1, shale gas development was framed as 'fracking', whereas under version 2 it was framed as 'using hydraulic pressure to extract natural gas from the ground'. We find that individuals' support for shale gas development is much lower when using the term 'fracking' as opposed to the synonymous descriptive term, and moreover, these differences were substantive. Our analysis suggests that these differences appear to be largely the result of different assessments of the risks associated with 'fracking' as opposed to 'using hydraulic pressure to extract natural gas from the ground'. Our proposed explanation for these differences rests on the idea that shale gas development is a technical and complex process and many individuals will be bounded by the rationality of scientific knowledge when it comes to understanding this process. In turn, individuals may be relying on simple decision heuristics shaped by the way this issue is framed by the media and other interested parties which may constrain meaningful discourse on this topic with the public. Our findings also highlight some of the potential pitfalls when it comes to relying on survey research for assessing the public's views towards complex environmental issues.

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Exploring support for shale gas extraction in the United Kingdom

Cited by 36 publications

References 49 publications

UK public beliefs about fracking and effects of knowledge on beliefs and support: A problem for shale gas policy

UK public beliefs about fracking and effects of knowledge on beliefs and support: A problem for shale gas policy

Addressing the risks of induced seismicity in subsurface energy operations

Public perceptions of shale gas in the UK: framing effects and decision heuristics

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