1.2. Changes in attitudes

The comparison of the latest results with those received a year earlier reveals that there are fairly few changes on the whole. The most important of these changes is an increase in the acceptability of nuclear power. When the development of attitudes is considered in a longer term, it can be seen that public opinion has changed partly even drastically [Figure2a.] [Figure 2b.].

The increase in the rejection of coal, which can be seen as a trend - opinions became more negative continuously in seven measurements - seems to have stopped. However, the figures are almost desolate and more negative than the rock-bottom figures in the early 90s (which were made even gloomier by the debate over forest death and acid rain at the time). Undoubtedly, the latest development of attitudes has been speeded up by the debate on climate change, in which coal has clearly been given the role of scapegoat. It is evident that since 1986 support for coal has declined radically. In the co-generation of power and heat, the attitude towards coal is more permissive (cf.chapter 9. )

The support for peat also shows a certain stabilisation. The 'curving', gradual increases and decreases in acceptance, which characterised the time series in the past decades, is not clearly verified in the results for the 21st century. The main difference between the results of this measurement and those of the previous measurement is the increase in neutral opinions. It is still a long time from the latest peak of support five years back (in 1999). The latest attitudes towards peat correspond relatively closely to the average value of the entire follow-up period. It does not seem likely that the fluctuation in attitudes is connected to the debate on greenhouse gas emissions.

The breakdown in the permanent popularity of natural gas - the attitudes towards this energy form remained fairly positive for sixteen years - can no longer be regarded as a temporary change in opinions. This is true despite the fact that the negative trend, started at the end of the 90s and seen as a bit surprising, has now come to an end. Even though attitudes towards natural gas are a little more permissive than a year ago, no direct reversion can be seen. It is obvious that there are several factors behind the deteriorated picture of this energy form. According to the other results in the study, there is increasing concern about the availability and price development of gas. The recent discussion about green electricity may be one reason for this. Natural gas, which is traditionally regarded as environmentally friendly, has had no place in the contest as it is a fossil fuel.

On the other hand, the popularity of hydropower has held on for a long time. The extensive acceptance of this energy form has continued since the early 90s. The figures in this research report, together with other recent results, represent the greatest sympathies towards hydropower in the entire follow-up period. However, this steady support is probably still overshadowed by a contradiction between support in principle and the practical measures: the building of new hydropower plants is shunned due to the disadvantages for the fishing industry and the environment. However, it is deemed that this problem can be alleviated by building so-called fish ladders. Citizens do not have a clear opinion about the Vuotos decision. However, the decision not to build Vuotos is considered a correct rather than incorrect decision (cf. chapter 9. ).

Opinions on nuclear power have become more positive since the previous measurement. Although the change is not dramatic, it is historical in the respect that following this - with two parallel small steps - the present distribution shows the most positive attitudes towards nuclear power in the entire follow-up period. An increase from the swoon three years ago is visible. The tug-of-war, which has been steady for a long time, has now taken a new turn. The change in attitudes and its connection with the nuclear power decision made by the Parliament of Finland is assessed later in the examination of attitudes towards the fifth nuclear power plant (chapter 2.).

Wood and other bioenergy sources now proved to be nearly as desired sources of energy for electricity generation as in the previous years. The support is strong, but also stable. This fuel category has only been included in the comparative set of questions in the last four measurements, so we cannot present a longer-term development for its support. The remaining follow-up questions on the use of wood, however, indicate a steady trend of positive basic attitudes. Domestic origin and employment considerations have been deemed the key factors in favour of the use of wood as an energy source.

The indicator of wind power has also stayed almost in the extreme position. As is the case with wood, this form of energy has only been included in the comparison four times. Even earlier, the popularity of wind power has always proved to be very high in practice when this question has been brought up in any form. Views on wind power are also examined in this study under the subject of alternative energy forms (chapter 6.).

On the other hand, oil - another more recent candidate in the comparison - is not a popular choice. Although attitudes towards the use of oil as an energy source in electricity generation (naturally, the principal uses of oil are elsewhere) have remained unambiguously negative, the time series indicates certain alleviation. The change from the record low figures of autumn 2000 is significant. This change is probably explained by the fact that, at the time, this energy form had not only a gloomy image but other baggage as well: the accelerating debate on the oil crisis and the considerable increase in oil prices.