Renewable energy is the way to go, say residents. Ninety-one per cent of Mid-North Coast residents surveyed recently said that Australia should develop more renewable energy, and 85 per cent agreed that a price on pollution would act as an incentive to increase clean energy. The survey was undertaken by Climate Change Australia (CCA) Hastings Branch, as part of the 100% Renewable Energy Survey, a national effort to collect 20,000 surveys from all over the nation. CCA president Harry Creamer said he is delighted the local branch took part in the campaign, which involves over fifty groups and hundreds of volunteers across Australia. Results of the surveys will be tabled in parliament by key Independent MP Rob Oakeshott. “Ninety-two per cent of people we spoke with think the government should be implementing strong policies to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy,” Mr Creamer said. “Perhaps the most surprising result is that 89 per cent of those surveyed are in favour of increasing renewable energy to help manage rising energy prices. “Research shows that Australia could generate fifty per cent of its power needs and create an additional 700,000 new jobs from renewable energy by 2030, a target that would match that of Germany. Meanwhile California is aiming to reach 33 per cent renewable energy by 2020,” he said. “Australia’s target is 20 per cent by 2020, but there are no targets beyond that.”
