( CNN ) -- After a year of tumultuous weather and global change , it should not be surprising that 2012 proved to be a transformative period for public opinion on energy . Changing attitudes on the most hotly debated topics matter a great deal because they set the course for future policy decisions . Taking a closer look at trends over the past 12 months hints at what to expect in several key areas of the U.S. energy landscape in 2013 . Natural gas boom -- and controversy . Hydraulic fracturing , also known as `` fracking , '' has been around for more than half a century , but recently expanded rapidly because of advances in horizontal drilling deep underground . Despite this proliferation of new wells , 59 % of Americans say they are unfamiliar with the term , down from 63 % in March , according to the latest findings from the University of Texas at Austin 's Energy Poll . Although the majority still does not seem to know much about fracking , a deluge of media attention to this controversial extraction technology has likely raised its profile significantly since last year . However , increased awareness is not synonymous with public approval . Among those familiar with hydraulic fracturing , support decreased from 48 % to 41 % over six months . Similarly , a December poll by Bloomberg reported that 66 % of Americans would like greater government oversight of the process , up from 56 % in September . When Matt Damon 's new film `` Promised Land '' debuts in January , expect public recognition and heated debate over hydraulic fracturing to rise further . Climate change gets real . When Gov . Mitt Romney quipped , `` President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans '' at the 2012 Republican National Convention , his audience burst into laughter . During the debates that followed , neither party 's nominee mentioned climate change once as a policy priority . Weeks later , Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Northeastern United States , flooding many parts of New York City , New Jersey and other regions along the Atlantic Coast . Both candidates immediately canceled campaign events in the wake of the storm and Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama , citing his commitment to tackling climate change . After a summer of record-breaking drought followed by this single powerful hurricane in a major metropolitan area , attitudes shifted . In March , 65 % of Americans surveyed said they thought that climate change was occurring . By September , after the summer drought , that number reached 73 % , with the greatest gains among Republicans and independent voters . Earlier this month , The Associated Press-GfK poll followed up , reporting that after Sandy , 78 % of Americans now say global temperatures are rising . Because weather can influence opinions on climate change , it 's possible that a wet and stormy winter -- ironically , also exacerbated by climate change -- could push attitudes in the other direction . Regardless , in 2013 expect to hear less argument about whether the Earth is warming and a more serious policy discussion by elected officials across levels of government about how we might mitigate the effects of rising seas , changing ocean acidity , agricultural uncertainty and extreme weather events . Renewables gain ground . Renewable energy technologies have been available for decades , but 2012 may have been the tipping point for their wider adoption . There has been a significant increase in the percentage of Americans who say they are likely to buy hybrid or electric vehicles or use `` smart '' electric meters within the next five years . Most notably , between September 2011 and September 2012 , the percentage of Americans who say they are likely to install solar panels at home increased from 21 % to 28 % . These trends may reflect changing attitudes on climate , media attention to energy during the election cycle , rising gas prices or cheaper , widely advertised new alternatives . Most likely , it 's a combination of all these . What 's clear is that we are now on the cusp of a renewables revolution with greater options and cost-saving technologies than ever . They are finally becoming more affordable , reliable and practical , with solar power at the helm . Still , it 's important to note that as we ring in 2013 , China , not the United States , has taken the lead on renewables . The big picture . Polls tell the story of how attitudes are shifting , but short of having a crystal ball , there is no way to unequivocally predict what major world events will influence our nation 's energy future . For example , another nuclear disaster or offshore oil spill could play an enormous role in shaping the next generation of energy priorities . What can we count on in 2013 ? In the past year , the percentage of Americans saying they consider themselves knowledgeable on how energy is produced , delivered and used has increased from 24 % to 33 % . More are likely to seek added information about reducing their own energy use and a higher percentage rate energy issues as important to them . Amid economic uncertainty , volatile prices and global unrest , Americans are paying closer attention to the energy decisions that affect us all . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Sheril Kirshenbaum .
Public attitudes shifted on key energy issues in 2012 . Sheril Kirshenbaum says controversy has grown over natural gas fracking boom . She says climate change , renewable energy are likely to be on agenda for 2013 . Kirshenbaum : A turbulent year has increased public interest in energy issues .