The survey of 60 students at Balfron High School in Scotland found the following: 1) 31 students believed climate change has been caused by human activities, while 9 believed it was due to natural processes. 2) When asked to rank renewable energy sources based on their environmental impact, onshore wind was ranked as having the least impact. 3) Wind (onshore and offshore) and solar were most often cited as the most important renewable energy sources for Scotland's future. 4) 48 students could not see a wind farm from their house or school, while 12 could. Of those who could see a wind farm, most had a positive view of them.

1. Comenius project survey - Attitudes
Towards Renewable Energy
Survey Results for
Balfron High School
Scotland
June 2011

2. Number of Surveys = 60
35
Q1. Do you believe that recent climate
change has been caused by?
31
30
25
20
15
15
10 9
5
5
0
Human Activites Natural Processes Combination of Both No response
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3. Many answers to question 2a were incorrectly completed. Only a sample group of 15 correctly completed question 2a are charted
below.
Q2 a Order the renewable sources of energy from 1 (most) to 8
(least) on their negative impact on the environment
8
7
6
1
5 2
3
4 4
5
3 6
7
8
2
1
0
Wind (onshore) Wind (offshore Hydro-power Solar power Tidal power Wave power Geothermal Biomass
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4. Q2 a Order the renewable sources of energy from 1 (most) to 8
(least) on the amount of energy produced
10
9
8
7 1
2
6
3
5 4
5
4 6
7
3
8
2
1
0
Wind (onshore) Wind (offshore Hydro-power Solar power Tidal power Wave power Geothermal Biomass
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5. Q2 a Order the renewable sources of energy from 1 (most) to 8
(least) on their value for money
10
9
8
7
1
2
6
3
5 4
5
4 6
7
3 8
2
1
0
Wind (onshore) Wind (offshore Hydro-power Solar power Tidal power Wave power Geothermal Biomass
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6. Comenius project survey - Attitudes Towards Renewable Energy
Number of Surveys = 60
2b. Which of the renewable energy
sources listed above do you think will be
the most important in your country in
the future ?
4 8
3 Wind
4
2 Hydro-power
9
Solar Power
Tidal Power
Wave Power
13
Geothermal
17 Biomass
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7. Comenius project survey - Attitudes Towards Renewable Energy
Number of Surveys = 60
3a. Can you see a wind farm from
your house or school?
0
12
Yes
No
No response
48
3b. How do you feel about that wind
farm or wind farms in general?
17
Positive
Negative
36 Don't mind
3
Q3c) A small number of people answered this question however a sample of answers are as follows:
• It is a better way to produce electricity however it spoils the view
• They are an eye sore
• They are good however they take up lots of space
• They do not damage the surroundings
• They are ugly but not as ugly as some other power sources
Q4) No response received for this question.
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8. Comenius project survey - Attitudes Towards Renewable Energy
Many thanks to the Intermediate 2 Computing classes and to Michael Green Form V who assisted in
the analysis of the data from the questionnaires and in the production of this report.
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