Public Opinion

Although fracking has recently attracted a lot of media attention the majority of the public are still relatively uneducated on the topic (Boudet et al., 2014).  It is important to know how well understood the topic is before asking peoples opinion on it.

It is a concern that due to the internet and films such as ‘Gasland’ many people have been swayed against fracking as it has been badly perceived causing prevention of exploration, e.g. fracking is banned in France and Bulgaria despite large potential in these countries. Many recent public surveys have found a decline in the number of people supporting fracking and a rise in the number of people opposed to it. This could cause a problem for the government as they try to push fracking as an alternative to importing gas from Russia. A survey taken at the University of Nottingham (sample no. 3657) found that the number of people in favour of fracking in the UK has fallen to 49.8% while 31.4% are against it with the remainder undecided. However, public polls taken in Pennsylvania and Michigan, USA where fracking has been used for many years, found that the majority of people believe fracking to be important to their states economy (Ford, 2013). 

A survey taken by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) seen in the figure below found that only 24% of the population support fracking as an alternative energy source with over 50% having a neutral opinion. However, the UK Onshore Operators Group (UKOOG) is arguing that 57% of people are in support (sample no. >4000) and the reason for the difference in these polls is the phrasing of the questions. The UKOOG gave people a ‘don’t know’ option rather than ‘neutral’ as uninformed participants are more likely to oppose if they are forced to choose a side.

Source.

Opinions on fracking are also related to the respondents involved in the survey. A survey conducted by The Guardian in 2013 found that women are much less in favour of fracking than men with only 34% compared to 55%.  Boudet et al. (2014) states that women, people who read newspapers more than once a week, people more familiar with the topic and people who associate it with environmental impacts are more likely to be against fracking while older people, people with a bachelor degree and people who associate it with positive economic outcome tend to support fracking.

The fracking industry in the UK is in rapid retreat due to increasing public opposition, the sudden switch from renewables back to fossil fuels has put the public in distress. It is confusing to understand why the government would be pushing hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas when just a few years ago they were making such a fuss to move away from fossil fuels and for everyone to reduce their individual emissions. What’s changed? Are fossil fuels not bad any more? Is it just because it’s cheaper? What are the benefits to us? The public need a reason behind this sudden switch otherwise they will be protest more than ever, the public will not support something they don’t or can’t understand.