RESEARCH PAPER
Social Attitudes towards Wind Farms and other Renewable Energy Sources in Poland
1
Department of Humanities in Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. Head: B. Mroczek, PhD, Assoc. Prof.
2
Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland; Acting Head: A. Mastalerz-Migas MD, PhD
3
Institute of Cosmetology, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Poland. Head: I. Dzieńdziora MD, PhD
Corresponding author
Bożena Mroczek
Department of Humanities in Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin 31 Grudziądzka St., 70-204 Szczecin, Poland phone: +48 91 44 14 751
Department of Humanities in Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin 31 Grudziądzka St., 70-204 Szczecin, Poland phone: +48 91 44 14 751
Med Srod. 2014;17(4):19-28
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The development of the wind power industry brings benefits for humans and the natural environment through the reduction of pollution emitted into the atmosphere, the creation of new jobs, and the improvement of the energy security of the country. At the same time, however, it causes people’s anxiety about adverse effects of wind farms on the environment and human health. The purpose of the study was to analyze the social attitudes of Poles toward wind power and other renewable energy sources.
Material and Methods:
The research was carried out using the street survey method throughout the whole of Poland It involved 1,169 respondents, including 680 (58.2%) from urban and 489 (41.8%) from rural areas; 354 (17.2%) respondents lived at a distance of more than 3 km from wind farms.
Results:
The majority of those he surveyed support the development of the renewable energy source and wind industry, and can see the sense of investments in this sector. Every fifth respondent is prepared to pay more for renewable energy, bearing in mind that it reduces the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. The use of wind power contributes to: the protection of human health, the purity of the natural environment, the creation of new jobs, technological progress of Poland, the reduction of the air pollution, the improvement of energy security of the country, the prosperity of the region and its dwellers.
Conclusions:
Poles who do not live near renewable energy investments support the development of this sector. Nevertheless, the NIMBY syndrome cannot be excluded. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on two groups – a group of people living near renewable energy investments and residents of places where such investments are not planned. Polish people also support for pro-ecological actions and demonstrate positive attitudes toward wind power and other renewable energy sources. They can see benefits for humans and the environment resulting from the development of wind energy and other renewables, and declare pro-ecological actions.
The development of the wind power industry brings benefits for humans and the natural environment through the reduction of pollution emitted into the atmosphere, the creation of new jobs, and the improvement of the energy security of the country. At the same time, however, it causes people’s anxiety about adverse effects of wind farms on the environment and human health. The purpose of the study was to analyze the social attitudes of Poles toward wind power and other renewable energy sources.
Material and Methods:
The research was carried out using the street survey method throughout the whole of Poland It involved 1,169 respondents, including 680 (58.2%) from urban and 489 (41.8%) from rural areas; 354 (17.2%) respondents lived at a distance of more than 3 km from wind farms.
Results:
The majority of those he surveyed support the development of the renewable energy source and wind industry, and can see the sense of investments in this sector. Every fifth respondent is prepared to pay more for renewable energy, bearing in mind that it reduces the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. The use of wind power contributes to: the protection of human health, the purity of the natural environment, the creation of new jobs, technological progress of Poland, the reduction of the air pollution, the improvement of energy security of the country, the prosperity of the region and its dwellers.
Conclusions:
Poles who do not live near renewable energy investments support the development of this sector. Nevertheless, the NIMBY syndrome cannot be excluded. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on two groups – a group of people living near renewable energy investments and residents of places where such investments are not planned. Polish people also support for pro-ecological actions and demonstrate positive attitudes toward wind power and other renewable energy sources. They can see benefits for humans and the environment resulting from the development of wind energy and other renewables, and declare pro-ecological actions.
FUNDING
Research was carried out with grant support from the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA)
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| eISSN: | 2084-6312 |
| ISSN: | 1505-7054 |
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