All to the light bulb

A matter of public importance | They know, but do nothing | The main thing is not to overpay

Neither the horrors of global warming that ecologists scare us, nor the growth of electricity tariffs taught people to be more leaning. Saving energy is a great thing, but let someone else do it. So the majority of consumers in the world thinks and, of course, in Russia. Accenture consulting company interviewed 9,000 people in 22 countries and found out that the vast majority concerns the increase in electricity prices, energy deficit and possible dependence on other states. But at the same time, few are ready to take responsibility and reduce their personal energy consumption. The bulk of consumers think that this is the problem of private companies. And if they do not want to deal with it, then let the state force them. 90% of respondents are concerned about the increase in energy prices, 76% are afraid that their country will not have enough energy, and it will fall into dependence on other states, and 80% disturb climate changes. But only a third of the respondents believe that the main solution to the problem is to reduce personal energy costs (including households). Only 37% are sure that less energy should be used to preserve the reserves of fossil fuel longer, and 36% - that such behavior will help the country maintain energy independence. The vast majority of consumers (85%) - for strengthening the role of the state in the energy sector. 54% most concern about energy prices, and 41% believe that the state should stimulate investment in alternative energy.

Know, but do nothing

Ecologists have long complained that the restructuring of energy has stalled: the demand for innovation is weak, and society does not show any real enthusiasm. The head of the research group Accenture in Germany Arne Tissen says

that the average American and European consumer, reading newspapers and watching TV (not to mention the Internet), has long been aware of world energy problems. But no one wants to make your most modest contribution to their decision. To proclaim a “green” attitude to life - easily and even fashionable, sociologists agree , only often - this is self -deception.

But when it comes to energy prices, consumers immediately occupy a fundamental and active position. According to other polls, Accenture, increasing electricity prices have always been in the list of main problems that disturb American and European consumers. Only the prices of food products and medicines are more concerned about them.
And it is clear why the respondents are so advocated for strengthening state regulation in the energy sector: the consumer is not worried about the fact that energy companies are pumping out of the planet all raw materials or clogging the atmosphere, but about making them lower prices.

The Russian consumer does not yet know what a liberalized energy market is. And the inhabitants of the West are aware of: despite significant competition, prices in such a market are growing faster than in the regulated markets. Hence the distrust of private companies in the UK and the United States (according to the survey, there are more than half of the inhabitants against the private business without the participation of the state to fight for energy efficiency). According to the population, the companies, hiding behind the slogans of the new energy, simply wind up prices.

The main thing is not to overpay

The “practical passivity” of consumers, which Tissen is talking about, is noticeable in other areas. For example, consumers are completely not ready to buy hybrid cars or electric cars, if all that they are offered is environmental bonuses and energy savings.
The study of Accenture showed that although Americans and Europeans are aware of the importance of alternative transport, they are guided by the functionality of the car. 6 out of 10 consumers are ready to buy a hybrid or electric car only if it exceeds traditional gasoline cars in all respects: the convenience of buying and service, safety, technical filling, communication, navigation, etc. “Consumers are interested in models that are a new stage in the evolution of the car as such, and not just the evolution of the engine,” the analysts summarize.
A similar situation with global warming. According to the December survey of the World Bank , the population of the United States, France, Germany and Great Britain recognizes the problem and as if very worried about the fate of the world. But less than half in these countries are ready to pay more for energy and other goods to fight climatic changes.
In Russia, however, there are even fewer - only 11%. And in general, if we talk about energy efficiency, then the “practical passivity” of Russians is comparable to the western one. For example, citizens, as VTsIOM found out , for energy efficiency, but are not very happy about the initiative of President Medvedev about the ban on traditional incandescent lamps.
And, judging by the results of the Superjob.ru survey , more than half of our consumers (57%) are familiar with energy -saving lamps firsthand, used them in practice and recognize their effectiveness (“Electricity consumption was reduced 2.5-3 times!”; “This is very profitable!”). But more than half, as VTsIOM found out, are not ready to pay for progressive energy -saving lamps more than for ordinary incandescent lamps.
True, there are pluses in this passive attitude: although citizens are ready to oppose the growth of tariffs, they are unlikely to go out into the street with protest against new technologies.