Drenthe residents with damage to their homes due to gas extraction in Groningen more often suffer from stress and have less confidence in the government. This is evident from research by the Nivel research institute and the University of Groningen. “The impact of the gas extraction problem does not stop at the provincial border of Groningen,” they say.
Earthquake damage due to extraction from the Groningen field mainly occurs in North Drenthe. Residents there experience feelings of anger and powerlessness more often and have more health problems due to stress, the research shows. The feeling of security did increase between April last year and April this year.
This has to do with stopping gas extraction in the Groningen field. But people in North Drenthe with earthquake damage still feel less safe than people without earthquake damage. Confidence in the government decreased among these people, especially in their own municipality. The national government and the province are also less trusted.
The study is part of Gronings Perspectief, which conducts research into the impact of gas extraction and the earthquakes caused by it on residents of the region. The research project has been running since 2016 and will be expanded to the province of Drenthe in 2024, because people there are also damaged by the earthquakes. Between 1100 and 1300 people from Drenthe took part in the various measurements.