Induced seismicity or political ploy?: Using a novel mix of methods to identify multiple publics and track responses over time to shale gas policy change
Induced seismicity or political ploy?: Using a novel mix of methods to identify multiple publics and track responses over time to shale gas policy change
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DOI：
10.1016/j.erss.2021.102247
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发表时间：
2021-08-21
影响因子：
6.7
通讯作者：
Bartie, P.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Devine-Wright, P.;Ryder, S.;Bartie, P.
迄今为止，很少有研究调查公众对禁止或限制化石燃料开采政策的看法是如何随着时间的推移而变化的；然而，随着世界各国寻求向“净零”经济过渡，这个话题至关重要。本研究通过使用包括意识、解释和意见在内的分析框架，以及结合全国调查、社交媒体和当地案例访谈的混合方法，重点关注公众对2019年英国页岩气开采暂停的反应，从而解决了这一差距。调查结果显示，对暂停禁令的认识和支持程度很高，但基于意识形态、规模和人口统计学的利益联盟之间存在差异。社交媒体分析显示，在大选期间的几天里，不同政党在页岩气问题上采取了不同的立场，公众的反应达到了顶峰。全国范围内的调查证明了公众对暂停建设的支持，并将诱发地震活动作为暂停建设的主要原因，然而，正如社交媒体活动和当地案例采访所显示的那样，公众对暂停建设的时间、范围和动机持怀疑态度。对一些公众来说，暂停是一种策略，以确保选举支持，嵌入公众的不信任。本研究表明，随着时间的推移，混合方法可以理解公众对政策变化的反应的心理和制度背景，并讨论了政治态度对能源转型的长期影响。
To date, little research has investigated how public perceptions of policies to ban or restrict fossil-fuel extraction change over time; yet this topic is of crucial importance as countries worldwide seek to transition towards 'net zero' economies. This study addresses this gap by focusing on public responses to the 2019 moratorium on shale gas extraction in England, using an analytical framework comprising awareness, interpretations and opinions, and a mixed-method approach combining national survey, social media and local case interviews. Findings show high levels of awareness and support for the moratorium, yet differences between coalitions of interest based on ideology, scale and demographics. Social media analyses reveal a peak in public response across several days during a general election campaign in which different parties took divergent positions on shale gas. Public support for the moratorium - and induced seismicity as the primary reason for its introduction - was evidenced by the national survey, yet coincided with scepticism about its timing, extent and motivation, as indicated by social media activity and local case interviews. For some publics, the moratorium was a ploy to ensure electoral support, embedded in public distrust. This study indicates the merits of a mixed-method approach to understand the psychological and institutional context of public responses to policy change as it unfolds over time, and discusses the longer term implications of politicised attitudes for energy transitions.