When comparing the results with those from the previous year, general stability as well as some noteworthy changes can be observed. Interesting trends can be seen in the results in the longer term. Furthermore, the time series shows the seesaw nature of the popularity of various energy forms: when the popularity of one production method increases, the popularity of another or several others usually decreases.

The attitudes towards coal have become more and more negative over the years. The breaking of this trend registered in the last survey proved to be a false alarm. Together with the result of 2005, the current result is the most pessimistic in the entire history of the survey. The figures are rather desolate and clearly more negative than the lowest figures in the early 1990's (affected by the debate over forest deaths and acid rain at the time). Undoubtedly, the latest development in attitudes has been accelerated by the debate on climate change, in which coal has clearly been given much of the blame. With the start of emissions trading, coal as an energy source has become an outright outcast. It is evident that since 1986, when the use of coal was hoped to be increased rather than decreased, the support for coal has radically declined [Figure 2a].

The approval of peat has slightly decreased when compared to the previous survey. The development of the support for this energy form shows clear variation, i.e. gradual increases and decreases in approval. During the last four years, attitudes have shown a declining trend. The latest peak of support eight years ago has not been reached. The long-term trend in the fluctuation in attitudes does not seem to be directly connected to the debate on greenhouse gas emissions. However, the attention that peat has received in connection with emissions trading is probably reflected in the figures for the previous years to some extent [Figure 2a].

The popularity of natural gas has also decreased. The change, and also the more major shift detected in the last survey, is most probably a result of the attention given to certain international events. The policy of closing supply to those who voice unwanted opinions is also reflected in other indications which show a growing concern about the availability and price development of natural gas. The history of the opinions regarding this energy form is peculiar in other ways as well. Its permanent popularity in the early part of the follow-up period - the attitudes towards this energy form remained incomparably positive for sixteen years - turned into a visible downswing eight years ago. After this somewhat surprising change, the figures became even more negative, as if they were seeking the correct level. The three surveys preceding the latest two (2003-2005) indicated an attitudinal stabilization. It seems that there are several reasons for the development of attitudes. In addition to issues relating to availability and price, the decline in the environmental image of the energy form likely added to reservations. Natural gas, traditionally considered environmentally viable, has been 'revealed' as a fossil fuel, not necessarily a good friend to the climate [Figure 2b].

The attitudes towards nuclear power have remained at the same acceptance level into which they rose in the survey four years ago. However, the current distribution is slightly more reserved than the figure obtained in last year's survey, which was by a narrow margin the most positive towards nuclear power during the entire survey period. The share of those in favor of increasing the use of nuclear power remained the same, but there are clearly more of those who demand a decrease. The latest result also confirms the previous view: the trend in the popularity of nuclear power is a relatively permanent shift instead of a momentary swing in public opinion or a statistical error due to random fluctuation [Figure 2b]. The change in attitudes is also assessed below in connection with the attitudes towards the building of a fifth nuclear power plant (Chapter 2).

The popularity of hydropower has remained high for a long time. The extensive acceptance of this energy form has remained steady for a noteworthy period. When studied by decade, the development of its support takes a gradually rising shape: the average opinions in the 1990's were more accepting than those in the 1980's, and the opinions in the new millennium are more accepting than those in the 1990's. The current figures represent the greatest sympathies towards hydropower during the entire follow-up period [Figure 2c]. The time series shows that support has increased 'on the sly' for a long time, slowly increasing without any major leaps. The firm support is, above all, a result of the Finnish origin of the energy source and its lack of emissions. The attitudes towards hydropower do, however, still show a contradiction between support in principle and practical measures. Despite extensive support, the construction of new hydropower plants is shunned due to the disadvantages for the environment and the fishing industry.

Wood and other bioenergy sources were as desired sources of energy in electricity generation as in the previous years. The support is not only strong but also relatively stable. This fuel category has only been included in the comparative series of questions in eight surveys, so it is not possible to give any description of a longer-term development for its support [Figure 2c]. The other follow-up questions on the use of wood indicate, however, a steady trend of positive basic attitudes. Considerations regarding employment and wood's Finnish origins have been deemed the key factors in favor of its use as an energy source. Positive attitudes can also be seen in the respondents' willingness to promote the use of bioenergy, even by means of tax reliefs. Furthermore, the view that it would be more beneficial to use biofuels in production of energy and heat than to refine them to be used in vehicles gains fairly extensive support.

For wind power, the survey also shows unambiguously high figures. In the survey two years ago, a slight decrease was observed. This did not, however, indicate any significant increase in scepticism - it was more likely a temporary hiccup in the trend. As is the case with wood, this form of energy was only included in the comparison for the eighth time [Figure 2c]. Even earlier, the popularity of wind power has proven high practically every time that this question has been brought up in any form. Views on wind power are also studied in this survey under the subject of attitudes towards alternative energy forms (Chapter 5).

On the other hand, oil - another more recent candidate in the comparison - is shunned even more than before. Attitudes towards the use of oil as an energy source in electricity generation (naturally, the principal uses of oil are elsewhere) have now reached a new low. Even though the time series for a certain period already indicated some alleviation of the criticism, the four latest surveys indicate that this stage has come to an end [Figure 2c]. In addition to its dark image, oil is burdened by its price which continues to increase and is sensitive to fluctuations caused by the global political situation.