Social reflections of renewable energy: Wind energy in Turkey

Abstract

The Renewable energy consumption is promoted nationally by various organizations and countries due to its environmentally friendly feature within the measures taken against the global climate crisis. Wind energy, which is one of the clean energy sources, can provide important environmental, economic, and social contributions. Wind power plants, which have been increased in Turkey, are causing social change within environmentalist views, thanks to the benefits. Social views on environmentalism can characterized as a driving force for development by forming the social footing for the spread of renewable energy. Thus, public consciousness is seen as with cause and effect. The environmental awareness of individuals living in Çanakkale city, where Çanakkale Wind Power Plant, one of the wind power plants producing the largest amount of electricity in Turkey, is located. The study was carried out with 591 participants by a survey method in Çanakkale. According to the results of the research, the education variable is the most important factor in environmental awareness. The place of residence of individuals is both the cause and the result of education.