Unpacking stereotypes about sustainable energy: Knowledge, policy, and public misperceptions of solar energy and coal in China

Some negative stereotypes regarding solar energy and positive stereotypes regarding coal are incorrect and could easily result in misunderstandings and prejudice that would hamper sustainable energy development. However, residents' stereotypes regarding solar energy and coal, and the factors influencing them, particularly in China, remain an area that needs more academic research. This study indicated that solar energy was commonly positively stereotyped as being clean, abundant, and sustainable, and negatively stereotyped as being unreliable and regionally restricted. Furthermore, 50% of the participants slightly or strongly agreed that solar energy was costly and difficult to store. The two most common negative stereotypes of coal as a source of energy were, it being unsustainable and a major source of pollution. Some positive stereotypes regarding coal included low price and mature technology. The survey results also indicated that television and the internet were the top two knowledge sources regarding solar energy and coal. The correlation analysis results indicated that the knowledge sources of the participants could influence stereotypes. Some policies have been proposed to undo the negative effects of the existing stereotypes, such as comparative thinking, providing appropriate information, and governmental promotion.

Automated summary

Some negative stereotypes regarding solar energy and positive stereotypes regarding coal are incorrect and could lead to misunderstandings and prejudice hindering sustainable energy development. More research is needed on residents' stereotypes of solar energy and coal, particularly in China. Participants commonly viewed solar energy as clean, abundant, and sustainable, but also unreliable and regionally restricted, while coal was largely seen as unsustainable and a major source of pollution, despite some positive stereotypes such as low price and mature technology. The study showed that knowledge sources could influence stereotypes, with television and the internet being the top sources of information on solar energy and coal. Proposed policies to combat negative stereotypes include comparative thinking, providing accurate information, and governmental promotion.