Shared vision for a decarbonized future energy system in the United States

Abstract

How do people envision the future energy system in the United States with respect to using fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy? Are there shared policy pathways of achieving a decarbonized energy system? Here, we present results of an online survey (n = 2,429) designed to understand public perceptions of the current and future energy mixes in the United States (i.e., energy sources used for electric power, transportation, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors). We investigate support for decarbonization policies and antidecarbonization policies and the relative importance of climate change as an issue. Surprisingly, we find bipartisan support for a decarbonized energy future. Although there is a shared vision for decarbonization, there are strong partisan differences regarding the policy pathways for getting there. On average, our participants think that climate change is not the most important problem facing the United States today, but they do view climate change as an important issue for the world today and for the United States and the world in the future.

Climate change risk perception in the USA and alignment with sustainable travel behaviours

“…Therefore, future studies interested in examining factors that could contribute to climate change risk judgement should include political views, values and worldviews. That being said, a study investigating Americans’ perceptions of what they think future energy systems will look like in the year 2050 found little difference between liberals and conservatives regarding what they expect to be the main energy sources [ 63 ]. This could suggest that Democrats and Republicans may have similar expectations of how climate change will affect the future; however, this would need to be further explored in future studies.…”

“…difference between liberals and conservatives regarding what they expect to be the main energy sources [63]. This could suggest that Democrats and Republicans may have similar expectations of how climate change will affect the future; however, this would need to be further explored in future studies.…”

Investigating similarities and differences in individual reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis

“…COVID-19 risk perceptions (concern about effects on self and others) were only moderately correlated with climate change risk perceptions. Many also perceived the two threats as unfolding on different timescales: unlike COVID-19, many viewed climate change as a “future problem” (see Miniard et al 2020 ; Brügger et al 2021 ). These differences suggest that communicating about COVID-19 risks may not necessarily promote awareness of the climate risks.…”

“…For example, individual-level behaviors such as social distancing and mask wearing are key in fighting COVID-19, whereas addressing climate change is more dependent on system-wide changes (Attari 2021 ). Many Americans view climate change as geographically and temporally distant (Miniard et al 2020 , but also see Brügger et al 2021 ) and may view COVID-19 as more of a present problem than climate change.…”

Multi-input, Multi-output Hybrid Energy Systems

“…This new approach expands traditional energy strategies for evaluating how the natural resource potential of each location can be leveraged in the most efficient and costeffective manner to provide needed energy services while meeting social and environmental objectives within a country context. 10,11…”