Public opinions of biofuels: attitude strength and willingness to use biofuels

Abstract

Most surveys of public opinion regarding biofuels focus on overall evaluations, but not all support or opposition is created equal. Some opinions are more consequential than others. The current article discusses the literature on attitude strength and presents the results of a national survey of United States citizens. Attitudes predicted a willingness to purchase biofuels and flexible-fuel vehicles, especially when the attitudes were associated with high levels of knowledge or low levels of ambivalence. Therefore, overall support or opposition for biofuels does not provide a complete picture of public opinion. If consequential support for biofuels and related technologies is to be developed, attention must be paid to features of the opinions that predict lasting impact.