Attitudes of South African environmentalists on the domestic use of renewable energy sources

Abstract

The paucity of literature on the perceptions and attitudes of South Africans on recycling, reusing, and reducing the number of resources used suggests the need for an exploration of these environmental issues. The current energy situation in South Africa may impact on South Africans’ perceptions on quality of life issues that are thought to accompany the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. This research aims to explore the attitudes and perceptions of environmentalists towards renewable energy, and to explore the lack of implementation from a psychological perspective. Attitudes and perceived implications for quality of life were explored by means of in-depth interviews with eight participants. A three stage qualitative analysis of the data culminated in six pattern categories: These are: participants’ learned attitude toward the environment, the role of responsibility and its influence on perceived quality of life, risk perception as inhibitor of action, renewable energy and the perception of self, renewable energy as available medium, and the possibility of change of attitude toward renewable energy sources. Each of these categories is discussed in depth. Specific recommendations for future research are outlined.