More people than ever support building wind farms, despite a concerted campaign against them over recent months. A new poll by ICM, released today, shows that 80 percent support government plans to significantly increase the number of wind turbines in Britain, with just eight percent opposed.
The poll is released as the leaders of the two major political parties make speeches on global warming. Michael Howard will speak tomorrow morning at the Institute of Directors while Tony Blair will address a business and environment conference hosted by Prince Charles on Tuesday.
The new poll also shows that seven out of ten support the construction of wind farms in their local area.
Greenpeace climate campaigner Jim Footner said: "Some notable people have been working hard these past months to bring about the demise of wind power, but this poll shows that the public support for wind power is increasing."
He added: "Michael Howard is right when he says Bush should sign the Kyoto Protocol, but on the ground his party is a serious impediment in the fight against global warming. Conservative councillors have tried to scupper wind projects across the country while Mr Howard himself has shared a platform with prominent anti-wind campaigners like David Bellamy, who denies global warming is even real. Despite a vocal celebrity-led campaign against wind farms, featuring Noel Edmonds and David Bellamy, this poll shows people don't just want renewable energy, they want wind farms in their own areas."
The government has pledged to generate 20 percent of Britain's energy from renewable sources by 2020. Tony Blair says he intends to put climate change at the centre of his EU presidency and Britain's hosting of the G8 summit next year. In his speech Blair will reportedly refer to climate change as "the greatest threat".
Jim Footner added: "We hope Tony Blair's speech will put the fight against global warming at the centre of his agenda and signal a genuine commitment to get tough on climate change at home and abroad. Unless he gets squarely behind wind energy in the UK his government will miss its renewable energy targets and damage our efforts to tackle climate change. If the Prime Minister is worried that building wind farms is unpopular he can put his mind at rest. Wind energy is one of New Labour's most popular policies."
