Coastal residents’ attitudes toward offshore oil and gas drilling in China

Abstract

This paper reports findings from research which surveyed coastal residents’ attitudes toward offshore oil and gas drilling in China. An online survey was carried out in 22 coastal Chinese cities using a questionnaire aimed at collecting demographic information and measuring offshore drilling support, risk, and trust. The data reveal that coastal residents hold a low support, high risk-perception, and moderate trust over offshore oil and gas drilling. NIMBY (Not-In-My-Back-Yard) mentality shows up in citizens’ support towards offshore drilling. Coastal residents hold different levels of confidence in offshore drilling claims, based on source and contents. People tend to trust scientific statements more from environmental groups than from the oil industry and have more trust in information according to which offshore drilling is riskier instead of safer than previously anticipated. In addition, demographic differences were captured on support for and trust in offshore oil and gas drilling. Gender, occupation, religious attitude, and dietary habits are uncovered to be predictors of offshore drilling support.