Concern about climate change increases in country communities

Farmers for Climate Action

Polling reveals climate concern rises in country regions; locals name bushfires, heatwaves and floods as key reasons for this
Energy company profiteering blamed most for high bills
63% of residents living in regional Renewable Energy Zones support the shift to clean energy, just 17% oppose

Concern about climate change is increasing; country people blame energy companies for high bills, and support for clean energy is very strong: these are the results of polling of residents of Renewable Energy Zones.

The news was revealed in a poll of 1,965 residents across Renewable Energy Zones in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, completed on March 20 (polling tables available here). The research was carried out by 89 Degrees East, a member of The Research Society of Australia.

Farmers for Climate Action CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt, said it was time the voices of regional communities were listened to.

“Some 32% of regional people polled are more concerned about climate change than they were a year ago. Those polled say their concern is driven by bushfires, heatwaves and floods,” Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.

"Energy company profiteering was blamed as the main driver of high energy bills (50% of those polled). Others named coal breakdowns and international events as causes for high energy bills; just 16% thought clean energy was responsible.

"Solar is seen as the ‘significant energy source’ of the future, named by 67% of REZ residents, followed by onshore wind (43%), offshore wind (41%) and pumped hydro (39%). Coal and gas trail at 29% each, with nuclear last at 24%.

"Support for coal, gas and nuclear is particularly low in the Hunter, Illawarra and Gippsland. In the Hunter, coal was seen as a significant future energy source by 30%, gas by 25%, and nuclear by 22%. In the Illawarra: coal 25%, gas 28%, nuclear 26%. In Gippsland: gas 31%, coal 28%, nuclear 24%. In Central Queensland, solar support is especially strong at 68%, while nuclear is the least supported energy generation source at 25%.

"The data showed a striking gap between real and perceived support for clean energy in the regions. Many who support the shift to clean energy do not realise they are part of the quiet majority. Media and social media algorithms will continue to promote conflict, and FCA will continue to listen to farmers, not Facebook."

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]

Quotes from farmers:

Walcha (New England) wool and beef farmer Warwick Fletcher:

“People in the bush are very conscious of our environment. We’re in for a hard winter I feel, in the New England.

“People are thinking about alternative energy sources now with what’s going on in the Gulf. This (polling) just reinforces that the quiet majority believe in trying to improve the environment, doing something for the local economy and the NSW economy. We have a saying around here: Our future, our choice.”

Macka’s Pastoral Director Robert Mackenzie, Gloucester/Hunter Valley:

“As a farmer in the region, our focus is simply on running a more efficient and resilient business.

“We’re improving soil health, animal performance and energy use, with a clear focus on reducing our footprint, delivering benefits for both the business and the environment. For us, sustainability isn’t a statement, it’s just good farm management.”

See Saw Wine Export and Sustainability Manager Maggie Jarrett, who farms in central west NSW, south of Orange on Wiradjuri Country:

"Farmers have always worked with the sun, so it makes sense to harness it for our energy too, on our own terms.

“I’d rather harness the sun rather than rely on oil imported from reserves we don't have and markets we can't control. The polling shows the quiet majority in our region already agrees."

Warracknabeal (western Victoria) wheat, barley and lentil farmer Phil Koschitzke:

“I’ve been farming here for 30 years and I’ve had 28 years of below-average rainfall. If this is a result of something we’re doing, then we’re in deep trouble.

“I’m not pro-renewable energy, I’m just anti-stuffing the world up.

“We’re making a mess of this and our kids are going to have to deal with it. Renewables can be the next step forward. Maybe not the final answer, but the next step. Country people are fundamentally good people and they want to help out.”

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Contact details:

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]