Ohioans Views of Energy and Household Responses to Increased Energy Costs Presentation to SL Peak Oil/Global Warming Group Jeff S. Sharp & Lazarus Adua Ohio State University December 14, 2006

Survey Project is a core Project of the SRI

Goals of Survey Project Study topical and emergent FAE issues Study topical and emergent FAE issues Local Foods, Farmland Preservation & Land-use, Food Safety, Animal Welfare Local Foods, Farmland Preservation & Land-use, Food Safety, Animal Welfare Data for planning and evaluation Data for planning and evaluation Track changes across time Track changes across time Cohort effects: older versus younger generations Cohort effects: older versus younger generations Intervening events, such as Mad cow; energy, etc. Intervening events, such as Mad cow; energy, etc. Changes in knowledge, awareness or behavior due to an educational campaign, societal trend, etc. Changes in knowledge, awareness or behavior due to an educational campaign, societal trend, etc.

Outline of Presentation Describe Ohioans views of Energy circa Spring 2006 Describe Ohioans views of Energy circa Spring 2006 Quick examination of Ohioans views of “ecological crisis” Quick examination of Ohioans views of “ecological crisis” Identify household adjustments to energy costs Identify household adjustments to energy costs Consider adjustments by key demographics (place of residence, class, and debt) Consider adjustments by key demographics (place of residence, class, and debt) Thoughts on next steps Thoughts on next steps

2006 Survey Mail survey returned from 1,729 Ohioans Mail survey returned from 1,729 Ohioans Response rate of 55% Response rate of 55% Respondents compare favorably to known characteristics of Ohio population Respondents compare favorably to known characteristics of Ohio population A higher proportion of respondents were homeowners than is true of Ohio’s general population A higher proportion of respondents were homeowners than is true of Ohio’s general population

Ohioans Views of Topical Agro-Environmental Issues: 2004, 2006

Issue Concern (% Very Concerned) Rising Cost of Gas/Heating Fuel -92 Rising Obesity among Americans 6973 Loss of Ohio jobs due to globalization -73 Pollution of rivers, streams or groundwater 6572 Loss of farmland due to urban growth 5570 Loss of family farms 6063 Terrorist attack on U.S. food supply -60 Avian Influenza (Bird flu) -57 Mad cow disease 4251 Global Warming 2941 Genetic modification of plants 3340 Large-scale poultry/livestock development 2940

Ohioans’ Energy Related Views & Attitudes

Views of “Peak Oil” There are sufficient oil and natural gas supplies around the world to meet U.S. needs for the foreseeable future There are sufficient oil and natural gas supplies around the world to meet U.S. needs for the foreseeable future 38% agree or strongly agree 38% agree or strongly agree 22% neutral 22% neutral 40% disagree or strongly disagree 40% disagree or strongly disagree

Views of “Peak Oil”(cont.) The era of abundant and cheap fossil fuels is coming to an end The era of abundant and cheap fossil fuels is coming to an end 45% agree or strongly agree 45% agree or strongly agree 37% neutral 37% neutral 18% disagree or strongly disagree 18% disagree or strongly disagree

Gas Prices In a couple years, the cost of gasoline will probably be about the same or even less that it is today In a couple years, the cost of gasoline will probably be about the same or even less that it is today 17% agree or strongly agree 17% agree or strongly agree 13% neutral 13% neutral 70% Disagree or strongly disagree 70% Disagree or strongly disagree

Solutions Even if oil and natural gas supplies do decline, new technologies and alternative energy sources will ensure Americans maintain their current standard of living Even if oil and natural gas supplies do decline, new technologies and alternative energy sources will ensure Americans maintain their current standard of living 41% agree or strongly agree 41% agree or strongly agree 34% neutral 34% neutral 25% disagree or strongly disagree 25% disagree or strongly disagree

Solutions (cont.) More should be done to develop alternative fuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel, derived from Ohio grown crops More should be done to develop alternative fuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel, derived from Ohio grown crops 87% agree or strongly agree 87% agree or strongly agree 11% neutral 11% neutral 2% disagree or strongly disagree 2% disagree or strongly disagree

Solutions (cont.) The environment should be protected, even if this means some energy supplies are not available for use The environment should be protected, even if this means some energy supplies are not available for use 60% agree or strongly agree 60% agree or strongly agree 26% neutral 26% neutral 14% disagree or strongly disagree 14% disagree or strongly disagree

Solutions (cont.) More should be done to encourage energy conservation More should be done to encourage energy conservation 84% agree or strongly agree 84% agree or strongly agree 13% neutral 13% neutral 3% disagree or strongly disagree 3% disagree or strongly disagree Americans must change their consumptive lifestyles to avoid the onset of an energy “crisis” in the U.S. Americans must change their consumptive lifestyles to avoid the onset of an energy “crisis” in the U.S. 70% agree or strongly agree 70% agree or strongly agree 18% neutral 18% neutral 12% disagree or strongly disagree 12% disagree or strongly disagree

Willingness to see Reduction in Material Quality of Life What, if any, decrease in your quality of life would you accept to assure a fair distribution of energy resources throughout the world What, if any, decrease in your quality of life would you accept to assure a fair distribution of energy resources throughout the world 24% no reduction 24% no reduction 70% modest reduction 70% modest reduction 6% substantial reduction 6% substantial reduction

Comments/Discussion related to this section of presentation

“Ecological Crisis”

The so-called “ecological crisis” facing humankind has been greatly exaggerated The so-called “ecological crisis” facing humankind has been greatly exaggerated 22% agree or strongly agree 22% agree or strongly agree 39% neutral 39% neutral 39% disagree or strongly disagree 39% disagree or strongly disagree

“Ecological crisis” (cont.) The balance of nature is strong enough to cope with the impacts of modern industrial nations The balance of nature is strong enough to cope with the impacts of modern industrial nations 18% agree or strongly agree 18% agree or strongly agree 36% neutral 36% neutral 46% disagree or strongly disagree 46% disagree or strongly disagree Human ingenuity will insure that we do NOT make the earth unlivable Human ingenuity will insure that we do NOT make the earth unlivable 36% agree or strongly agree 36% agree or strongly agree 38% neutral 38% neutral 26% disagree or strongly disagree 26% disagree or strongly disagree

Energy Costs, Cutbacks & Hardship As reported Spring 2006

Overall, have increased gasoline or home heating costs during the last six months been…

Household cutbacks & increased energy costs A lot Some A little None Vacation or Holiday Trips Money put into savings Purchases of appliances/furnishings Recreational or social activities Dining out Purchase of clothes Use of car Communications/Media Health Care/Prescription Drugs Groceries

Cutbacks by Place of Residence Residence No or little cutback Some cutbacks Substantial cutbacks Urban Suburban Exurban Rural145333

Cutbacks by Household Income Residence No or little cutback Some cutbacks Substantial cutbacks <19, , , ,000 or more 53416

Cutbacks by Debt Stress Residence No or little cutback Some cutbacks Substantial cutbacks No Debt Stress Some Debt Serious Debt Stress 54055

Observations There is a significant social justice/hardship dimension to new energy era There is a significant social justice/hardship dimension to new energy era Short, medium, and long-term impacts Short, medium, and long-term impacts Income and debt are key factors Income and debt are key factors Spatial dimension may also be important to monitor Spatial dimension may also be important to monitor Cutbacks are one adaptation; conservation behaviors & improvements are another Cutbacks are one adaptation; conservation behaviors & improvements are another Anticipated class dimension to this, may further exacerbate social problems Anticipated class dimension to this, may further exacerbate social problems

Next Steps for Research Group Forthcoming report/academic manuscripts Forthcoming report/academic manuscripts Development of Lazarus's dissertation, possibly around the theme of Energy Development of Lazarus's dissertation, possibly around the theme of Energy 2008—Questions about conservation behaviors & reduced cutbacks/hardship analysis 2008—Questions about conservation behaviors & reduced cutbacks/hardship analysis Maintain core focus on local food systems and agriculture at the rural-urban interface Maintain core focus on local food systems and agriculture at the rural-urban interface

Questions? Contact Information: Jeff S. Sharp