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. However, interesting trends can be seen in the results in a longer term, [Figure 2a.] and [Figure 2b.].

The increasing trend in the rejection of coal has continued. Therefore the stoppage observed in the previous measurement did not mean the final point of the development towards a more negative attitude, even though there were only a few steps left on the scale. The present figures are almost desolate and substantially 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 development of attitudes has been speeded up by the debate over climate change, in which coal has been given a clear role as 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 somewhat more permissive, however (not in the figure).

The support for peat shows 'curving', gradual increases and decreases in acceptance, also in the current results. Attitudes in recent years reflect a downward trend rather than an upward one. The distribution shows slightly more reservations compared to the previous year, and the last peak of support six years back (in 1999) is even farther away. Nevertheless, the latest attitudes towards peat are not too far from the mean value of the entire follow-up period. It does not seem likely that the fluctuation in attitudes is directly connected to the debate on greenhouse gas emissions.

The popularity of natural gas is similar to the previous year's figures. However, the history of the opinions on this energy form is peculiar. Its permanent popularity in the early part of the follow-up period - the attitudes towards this energy form remained fairly positive for sixteen years - showed a visible downswing five years ago. After this somewhat surprising change, the figures became even more negative as if they were seeking the correct level. The results of recent measurements indicate that attitudes have stabilised. It seems that there are several reasons for the development of attitudes. 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 (not in the figure).

Opinions on nuclear power have practically remained at the same level as in the previous measurement. The result is significant due to the fact that the previous measurement (autumn 2003) registered the most positive figures for nuclear power in the entire follow-up period. Thus the change observed at that time has remained effective, and this does not seem to indicate a sporadic fluctuation in the public opinion or statistical random variation. This interpretation is supported by the development of attitudes immediately preceding the results in question. Several smaller steps in the same direction have been observed since the downswing at the turn of the millennium - in autumn 2000 support for this energy form had dropped below the average. The change in attitudes is also observed later in connection with the attitudes towards a 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 relatively stable. This fuel category has only been included in the comparative set of questions in the last five 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 five 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 5.).

On the other hand, oil - another more recent candidate in the comparison - is not a popular choice. Attitudes towards the use of oil as an energy source in electricity generation (naturally, the principal uses of oil are elsewhere) are unambiguously negative. Even though the time series indicated some slackening in criticism in the meantime, the distribution observed now is almost as negative as the result in autumn 2000. At the time of that measurement, 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.