U.S. Public is Clueless On Best Ways to Save Energy, Study Says

Many Americans believe they can conserve energy by taking relatively inconsequential steps, such as turning off lights, while ignoring far more important measures, according to a new survey. The survey of residents in 34 states, conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, said that only 2 to 3 percent of Americans cited major energy-saving steps — such as purchasing energy-efficient cars and appliances, and weatherizing homes — as being important in cutting energy consumption. Yet nearly 20 percent of Americans cited turning off lights as the best approach to conserving energy — an action that, in fact, saves very little electricity. Researchers said most Americans focus on what they can do that is cheap and easy at the moment, and do not think about the importance of taking basic steps, such as buying high-mileage vehicles. Another problem, researchers said, is that the public suffers from a “single-action bias,” meaning that after doing one or two things to save small amounts of energy, people feel they have done enough. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said the survey results show that environmental groups, scientists, and government officials have failed to effectively communicate the relatively painless steps people can take to slash their energy consumption.