Our sustainable future depends on renewable energy and rapid investment in this space. Traditional American consumption habits must be altered. Americans consume 40% more fuel to drive the same distance in comparison to Europeans. This is due to the historical love of powerful and large engines, pickups SUV's. Also it is due to the poor driving habits and high idling rates of our truckers, city buses and individual drivers.
Amid record gas prices, public support for greater energy exploration is spiking. Compared with just a few months ago, many more Americans are giving higher priority to more energy exploration, rather than more conservation. An increasing proportion also says that developing new sources of energy - rather than protecting the environment - is the more important national priority.
The public's changing energy priorities are most evident in the growing percentage that views increased energy exploration - including mining and drilling, as well as the construction of new power plants - as a more important priority for energy policy than increased conservation and regulation. Nearly half (47%) now rates energy exploration as the more important priority, up from 35% in February (see chart above). The proportion saying it is more important to increase energy conservation and regulation has declined by 10 points (from 55% to 45%).
In surveys dating to 2001, majorities or pluralities had consistently said that greater energy conservation and regulation on energy use and prices was more important than increased energy exploration.
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