Communication: the real energy gap
Mr. Zentner feels that a coalition of energy will be used, but the public distrust and misunderstanding of energy companies, communications media, and the public must cooperate to make energy facts available and comprehensible. A comparison of recent and current public attitudes with factual published data reveal a serious communication gap that makes it difficult to formulate national and international energy policies. Domestic policy must determine how and by whom energy sources will be developed and how energy will be used, but the public distrust and misunderstanding of energy companies and the market economy keeps these companies from being effective. Data from fuel companies and the government is given little credibility by the public, largely because of widespread misunderstanding of corporate profits. Mr. Zentner further feels the public misunderstanding of the world energy situation hampers a realistic foreign policy with both energy-producing and energy-consuming countries. Public interest in energy began only in 1973 and, although inflation continued to be the prime concern of the majority, the energy problem was generally viewed from the perspective of inflation. Blame for the energy shortage is consistently placed on government and business. Polls indicate that Americans feel they have taken dramatic steps to reduce energy consumption, while the International Energy Agency ranks the U.S. effort 14th among the 18 member nations. (DCK)
- Research Organization:
- Shell Oil Co., New York
- OSTI ID:
- 7125400
- Journal Information:
- J. Energy Dev.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Energy Dev.; (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN JENDD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY POLICY
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