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ANALYSIS |
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All respondents were asked, “Given the debate over global warming and
greenhouse gas emissions, which of the following descriptions best
describes your views on the issue of global climate change?” Twenty-one
percent of respondents when asked concerning the issues of global
warming and greenhouse gases, stated that this is a real problem.
Fifty-two percent stated that these issues are overblown, 12% stated
that it is a serious problem, and 11% stated it’s an imaginary problem. |
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Forty-three percent of respondents stated they do indeed take the
threat of global climate change seriously. Over half (54%) of
respondents stated that they do not take the threat of climate
change seriously.
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Thirty-two percent of respondents stated they think that their farm
productivity is threatened by changing climate. While a majority (65%)
of respondents do not think climate changes are threatening the
productivity of their farm.
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Over half (59%) of respondents stated they think that gasoline and
diesel emissions contribute to greenhouse gas buildup. There are
still 28% of respondents who do not think that gasoline and diesel fuel
emissions contribute to greenhouse gas buildup. |
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Fifty-six percent of respondents stated that greenhouse gas emissions
could be reduced through no-till or nutrient management, while 22%
stated that they could not.
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All respondents were asked, “Various proposals suggest putting a per ton
value on carbon that is sequestered (stored) in soil. What price
per ton of carbon would be necessary to get you involved in such a
program?” Three percent of respondents stated that $5 per ton of carbon
is enough to get them involved in a program. Four percent stated
$10 per ton of carbon to get them involved, 2% stated $15 per ton, 5%
stated $20 per ton, 5% stated $25 per ton, 7% stated $30 per ton, and 3%
stated greater than $30 per ton to get them involved in such a program.
However, a majority (67%) of respondents stated they did not know of a
price that is sufficient for their involvement in such a program. |
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All respondents were asked, “If wind powered energy helps reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and that helps to reduce the threat of global
warming, should farmers, industry and public institutions promote wind
power as an alternative energy source?” A vast majority (85%) stated
farmers, industry, and public institutions should promote wind power as
an alternative energy source, while 10% stated that it should not be
promoted. |
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Seventy-six percent of respondents stated they would invest in wind
power generation if it did not produce any harmful emissions and it
helped clean the environment. Seventeen percent of respondents stated
they would not invest in wind power generation. |
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A vast majority (88%) of respondents stated they support wind energy
development. Eight percent stated they do not support the
development of wind energy. |
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Half (50%) of respondents stated that wind energy can provide additional
farm income. Thirty-five percent of respondents stated that they do not
think that wind energy is able to provide additional farm income. |
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Almost half (47%) of respondents stated they would be willing to invest
in wind power projects. Thirty-five percent of respondents stated they
would not be willing to invest in wind power. |
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Thirty percent of respondents stated, “Lease a small portion of their
farm to a power generator for the placement of wind turbines” as a way
to gain financial rewards from wind power. Thirty-eight percent of
respondents stated, “Invest in a farmer-owned wind cooperative”, 16% of
respondents stated, “Purchase a small turbine for individual use”. |
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Sixty-two percent of respondents stated that the government should
provide financial incentives to farmers who want to become involved in
the wind industry. However, 31% stated that the government should
not have to provide financial incentives to farmers who want to be part
of the wind industry.
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Analysis
Fig 1 |
Return to
Table of Contents |