Column: Jane Burd, Notts area networker for Greenpeace:

In the next few months it is likely that the Government will decide whether to give the go-ahead for a new coal fired power station in Kingsnorth in Kent.

The whole issue has been mired in controversy with environmental and development groups from across the country and the world coming out against the decision while the Government is minded to allow it to go ahead – and this just as it has passed the worlds first Climate Change Act.

Greenpeace highlighted the issue in 2007 when six activists, including one from Notts, scaled the tall chimneys of the power station and set up camp there.

Last year, all were acquitted on the grounds of lawful excuse - that they were acting to protect property at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Greenpeace activists here in Nottingham have also been campaigning against the use of coal in power stations for many months and have presented petitions in the form of boot prints to Broxtowe MP Nick Palmer and Newark and Sherwood MP Patrick Mercer.

Both MPs were supportive of our view and promised to oppose the decision.

Activists also collected letters to Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Milliband, asking him to refuse permission for Kingsnorth and signed people up to Greenpeace's on-line campaign 'Give Coal the Boot'.

As part of the local campaigning, activists carried out a short survey of people in the street in various parts of Nottingham – the city centre, Arnold, Beeston and West Bridgford.

We asked them six simple questions and asked for their opinions.

Eighty-seven per cent of people questioned said they were worried about climate change.

When asked about electricity generation, 70% said they thought coal was the most polluting form of electricity generation.

Ninety-four per cent of those questioned said they would prefer electricity to be generated by methods that don't damage the climate.

When questioned about who should be responsible for tackling climate change, 77% said we all should while ten per cent said the Government and eight per cent said industry should be responsible.

As some coal fired power stations are due to close in the next few years, we need to replace them.

Fifty-nine per cent of those questioned did not know this and when questioned about what should replace them, 82% of all respondents said we should replace them with renewables and 16% with nuclear.

Those questioned were equal numbers of male and female and were divided into four age groups to obtain a good cross section of the population.

Greenpeace local activists take part in all of Greenpeace's campaigns by talking to people in the street, at fairs and events, by writing to decision makers and by taking part in Greenpeace's non violent actions.

Getting involved in Greenpeace campaigns really empowers you and you feel you can make a difference.

It is a positive step towards making the planet greener and more peaceful.

If you would like to join us in our campaigns contact greenpeacenotts@gmail.com and find out more on our website http://www.greenpeaceactive.org.uk/group.php?cat=36.

Greenpeace is part of Climate Action Network Notts acting to reduce CO2 emissions in Notts and the whole of the UK