This paper analyses a participatory process related to the plan to construct an offshore wind farm in the Sea of Trafalgar, off the coast of Cádiz, in Andalucía (southern Spain). This case study shows the complexities of public participation in energy development, indicating the vital importance of context. The stakeholders' values and attitudes in the controversy are highly dependent on the specific situation, including the concrete characteristics of the project proposal. In fact, they may diverge sharply from the stakeholders' core beliefs. It is important for decision making to take account of this contextual and dynamic element in stakeholder behavior, contrary to suppositions of static and predetermined behavior. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
This paper reports the analysis of a recent study of public perception of food safety governance in Spain, using genetically modified (GM) foods as an indicator. The data make clear that Spanish food consumers are aware of their rights and role in the marketplace. They are critical of current regulatory decision making, which they perceive to be unduly influenced by certain social actors, such as industry. In contrast, consumers demand decisions to be based primarily on scientific opinion, as well as consumer preferences. They want authorities to facilitate informed purchasing decisions, and favor labeling of GM foods mostly on the grounds of their right to know. However, consumers' actual level of knowledge with respect to food technology and food safety remains low. There are several ambivalences as to the real impact of these attitudes on actual consumer behavior (specifically when it comes to organizing themselves or searching out background information).
Wind energy has experienced a dramatic increase in Spain in the last years. As a result, Spain has become one of the leading countries in wind energy production. However, wind plants location has an ambivalent social perception: while, in general, the public consistentely favours the promotion of renovable energies, the opposition to specific projects is very significant, in this paper, we analyse the social debate surrounding a project of offshore wind energy in Cádiz (Southern Spain), on the basis of semistructured interviews with relevant social actors. Factors like previous experience, trust, scientific expertise, local knowledges, and traditional values have played a role in local opposition. From the analysis of the public conflict and the political answers, we reflect upon the problems and tensions of the interaction among politicians, experts, ecologists and citizens involved in environmental conflicts. KEY WORDS Environmental conflicts, public participation, wind energy (c) Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Licencia Creative Commons 3.0 España (by-nc) http://arbor.revistas.csic.es 2. Energía eólica en Europa y España: implantación e integración En el problema del abastecimiento energético se combinan de maneras habitualmente complejas aspectos ambienta
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