More Wind Turbines, More Habitat Harm, Loss
Scientists (Krekel and Zerrahn, 2017 ) report that the installation of wind turbines near human populations “exerts significant negative external effects on residential well-being” and a “significant negative and sizable effect on life satisfaction” due to “unpleasant noise emissions” and “negative impacts on landscape aesthetics.”
“We show that the construction of wind turbines close to households exerts significant negative external effects on residential well-being …
In fact, beyond unpleasant noise emissions (Bakker et al., 2012; McCunney et al., 2014) and impacts on wildlife (Pearce-Higgins et al., 2012; Schuster et al., 2015), most importantly, wind turbines have been found to have negative impacts on landscape aesthetics (Devine-Wright, 2005; Jobert et al., 2007; Wolsink, 2007). … We show that the construction of a wind turbine within a radius of 4,000 meters has a significant negative and sizeable effect on life satisfaction. For larger radii, no negative externalities can be detected.”
If human well-being and life satisfaction is seriously compromised by the nearby presence of a wind turbine, imagine the physiological effects on birds, bats, and land-dwelling mammals in general.
Six new papers expose the systematic destruction of natural wildlife habitats via the installation of wind turbines.
1. A 20-Fold Loss Of Bat Habitat At Wind Turbine Sites … A ‘Worldwide Phenomenon’
“Wind turbines impact bat activity, leading to high losses of habitat use … Island bats represent 60% of bat species worldwide and the highest proportion of terrestrial mammals on isolated islands, including numerous endemic and threatened species (Fleming and Racey, 2009). … We present one of the first studies to quantify the indirect impact of wind farms on insectivorous bats in tropical hotspots of biodiversity. Bat activity [New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, which hosts nine species of bat] was compared between wind farm sites and control sites, via ultrasound recordings at stationary points [A bat pass is defined as a single or several echolocation calls during a five second interval.] The activity of bent-winged bats (Miniopterus sp.) and wattled bats (Chalinolobus sp.) were both significantly lower at wind turbine sites. The result of the study demonstrates a large effect on bat habitat use at wind turbines sites compared to control sites. Bat activity was 20 times higher at control sites compared to wind turbine sites, which suggests that habitat loss is an important impact to consider in wind farm planning. … Here, we provide evidence showing that two genera of insectivorous bat species are also threatened by wind farms. … To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies quantifying the indirect negative impact of wind turbines on bat activity in the tropics. … The lower attractiveness of the foraging habitat under wind turbines, both in a tropical and in a temperate climate, indicates that the indirect impact of a wind turbine is a worldwide phenomenon.”
2. A ‘Distinct Physiological Response’ (Stress) Caused by Wind Turbines’ ‘Disturbance Factors’
“Living in habitats affected by wind turbines may result in an increase in corticosterone levels in ground-dwelling animals … Environmental changes and disturbance factors caused by wind turbines may act as potential stressors for natural populations of both flying and ground-dwelling animal species. The physiological stress response results in the release of glucocorticoid hormones. … The common vole showed a distinct physiological response − the individuals living near the wind turbines had a higher level of corticosterone [physiological stress affecting regulation of energy, immune reactions]. … This is the first study suggesting the impact of wind farms on physiological stress reactions in wild rodent populations. Such knowledge may be helpful in making environmental decisions when planning the development of wind energy and may contribute to optimization of conservation actions for wildlife.”
3. Wind Farms’ ‘Known Impacts’: Mortality Increase, Habitat Destruction, Enhanced Human Interference, Reduced Breeding Opportunities
“According to a review by Lovich and Ennen (2013), the construction and operation of wind farms have both potential and known impacts on terrestrial vertebrates, such as: (i) increase in direct mortality due to traffic collisions; (ii) destruction and modification of the habitat, including road development, habitat fragmentation and barriers to gene flow; (iii) noise effects, visual impacts, vibration and shadow flicker effects from turbines; (iv) electromagnetic field generation; (v) macro and microclimate change; (vi) predator attraction; and (vii) increase in fire risks. … Helldin et al. (2012) also highlighted that the development of road networks associated with wind farms could promote increased access for traffic related to recreation, forestry, agriculture, and hunting. The consequence, particularly in remote places, is the increase in human presence, affecting large mammals via significant disturbance, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation. These negative effects are expected to be particularly relevant for species that are more sensitive to human presence and activities, such as large carnivores. Large carnivores, such as the wolf, bear, lynx or wolverine, tend to avoid areas that are regularly used by humans and—especially for breeding—show a preference for rugged and undisturbed areas (Theuerkauf et al. 2003; George and Crooks 2006; May et al. 2006; Elfstrom et al. 2008; Sazatornil et al. 2016), which are often chosen for wind power development (Passoni et al. 2017). … Results have shown that the main impact of wind farms on wolves is the induced reduction in breeding site fidelity and reproductive rates. These effects, particularly when breeding sites shift to more unsuitable areas, may imply decreasing survival and pack viability in the short term.”
4. Installation Of Wind Turbines Have ‘Population-Level Effects’ For Rare, Endangered Species
“The global potential for wind power generation is vast, and the number of installations is increasing rapidly. We review case studies from around the world of the effects on raptors of wind-energy development. Collision mortality, displacement, and habitat loss have the potential to cause population-level effects, especially for species that are rare or endangered.”
5. An ‘Urgent Concern’: ‘Wind Power Has Negative Effects On Proximate Wildlife’ (Collision Fatalities, Habitat Loss)
“While wind energy provides a viable solution for emission reductions, it comes at an environmental cost, particularly for birds. As wind energy grows in popularity, its environmental impacts are becoming more apparent. Recent studies indicate that wind power has negative effects on proximate wildlife. These impacts can be direct—collision fatalities—and indirect—habitat loss (Fargione et al. 2012; Glen et al. 2013). Negative impacts associated with operational wind farms include collision mortalities from towers or transmission lines and barotrauma for bats. Habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as avoidance behavior, are also consequences resulting from wind farm construction and related infrastructure. The potential harm towards protected and migratory bird species are an urgent concern, especially for wind farms located along migratory flyways. In terms of mortality, wind turbines kill an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 birds, annually (Smallwood 2013). The high speed at which the fan wings move and the concentration of turbines create a gauntlet of hazards for birds to fly through. … [T]he height of most wind turbines aligns with the altitude many bird species fly at (Bowden 2015). Birds of prey— raptors—are of particular concern because of their slow reproductive cycles and long lifespans relative to other bird species (Kuvlesky 2007).”
6. Wind Farms Negatively Affect Waterfowl Via Habitat Loss, Disturbance Displacement, Compromised Foraging Opportunities
“Results from our surface water extractions and aerial surveys suggest that the wind farm has negatively affected redheads through altered hydrology and disturbance displacement. Our surface water extraction analysis provides compelling evidence that the local hydrology has been greatly affected by the construction of the wind farm. … Our results suggest the occurrence of direct habitat loss and disturbance displacement of redheads from the wind farm along the lower Texas coast. Although our study was directed solely toward redheads, it is likely that this wind farm has affected other species that use these wetlands or migrate along the lower Texas coast (Contreras et al. 2017). Studies in Europe investigating the effects on waterfowl by wind turbines have reported similar results, showing that turbines have likely compromised foraging opportunities for waterfowl through disturbance displacement (Larsen and Madsen 2000).”
Read more at No Tricks Zone
That refutes all previous information I have read about them.
Honestly, it’s impossible to know what to believe now.
Actually, I rather like the look of them, especially when driving to Cornwall from Wiltshire and when we heard that they were noisy, we went and stood right underneath one of them. All we could hear from it was a slow Whoosh, whoosssssh – not noisy at all.
I’d rather see them than the black, shiny solar panels that are increasingly placed over green fields and ruin the panoramic views from the top of my favourite Wiltshire Downs. Solar panels could easily be installed on the HUGE box-like constructions that litter the landscape on once green fields. And nobody could see them.
Wendy: A lot of people will say they stand under them and hear very little. There’s a few reasons for this (imo):
1) they tend to go on nice days.
1.1) they go during the day.
2) they stand in front of them.
3) they stand under them.
4) they stand too close
5) they are placed in rural areas
Which would be noisier, a plane flying over you or standing behind a plane? I know which one I’d rather do.
Point 1) and 1.1) They go on nice days, during the day – high humidity adds to noise (a lot to explain why), wind direction/shear adds to noise, daytime adds to noise. During the day there tends to be more low level wind, at night, in general, this wind dies down leaving the upper level wind which the turbines slice through – no longer masked by the low level wind. Also in the day time you have other noises like nature and possibly traffic. Throw in high humidity (or worse, icing conditions), certain wind or direction and lack of low level wind and you get some very noisy turbines.
Point 2) and 3) They stand in front of them – Turbines (for us) are the least noisy when they are pointed at us. Side on the whoosh is much more pronounced and back on (nacelle facing us) is the worst. The blades passing by the tower produce a thump which, at 1km to 1.4km away, we and a neighbour have physically felt as well as heard. Standing under them you may never notice because it’s not being thrown at you, it’s being thrown over you. Picture a loud car or motorcycle coming towards you, beside you, and passing you. Coming towards isn’t near as bad as beside or when it passes.
Point 4) They stand too close – Picture a funnel of sound coming out from the back of the blade part of the turbine, very little sound gets thrown straight down or relatively close to the base. Standing a few hundred meters away or more would likely give a different impression, more so if you can get higher up in line with the blade or the nacelle. Even more so if you can do so at night in higher humidity with the nacelle towards you (blades away on opposite side of the tower).
5) the place them in rural areas – the ambient background levels in rural areas tends to be much lower than sub-urban or urban areas. When you have an ambient background of, say 35 in an urban area a 40dB noise, while noticeable, isn’t a big deal. When you have an ambient dB level of 25, 40 is a huge jump. Lets put a few up on the edge of the cities, or in the cities, and see what the push back is like. 😉
A one day sample of standing under a turbines is not enough to form an opinion for me – try living in close proximity to one for years which being told everything is fine.
We live 1 to 1.4km away from 5 turbines and we can hear the hydraulics in our house. We can feel physical pulses coming from the blade passing the tower. Under certain conditions we can hear the ‘whooshing’ inside our house. We have shadow flicker. We actively avoid being in the yard because it’s simply no longer enjoyable. We would need to disclose the fact there is noise inside the house if we sold (there goes value). Seeing turbines when we’re out is a reminder that is what we will have to go home to. There are very real physical effects – they happen to us.
As for solar panels littering once green fields, there’s an excellent documentary about farming around and under panels in China. The shade creates it’s own little climate for growing certain plants, sometimes in areas that could previously grow nothing.
And to think, I had no problem with turbines going up and didn’t believe they cause physical problems – until the back yard happened to us.
None of this s meant to be a slam or dismiss your experience – just offering our perspective and experiences having lived with it for 4 years. We moved to an area with hundreds of acres of woods around us for peace and quiet, which we had for 4 years, until those things went up – now we’re trying to figure out how to move without losing our shirts.
Of course wind power is destructive — as engineers & scientists have explained for years, wind is the feeblest, least reliable source of energy. And, it consumes the most natural resources per kWHr ever delivered. Wind is to energy as Trump is to facts. ;]
And then there’s the massive pollution from wind’s ~2000 tons of raw materials all processed via fossil fuels, per each 1MW ever delivered by a wind generator’s 1st year. Some of the pollution…
https://tinyurl.com/n3frxms
https://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/9209-The-bottleneck-of-a-low-carbon-future
If one actually cares about facts and the environment we’re leaving our descendants, maybe read a bit: “The Non-Solutions Project”, “Roadmap to Nowhere”, “Unintended Consequences”, or “Renewable Energy Without the Hot air”. Or, call.
—
Dr. A. Cannara
650 400 3071
Birds and Bats yes Wind Turbines and Solar Panels No these eco-wackos need to get out of their rediculous ideologies and get to rolling up their sleeves and Plant Trees Build Bird and Bat Houses and cleaning up the litter they leave behind after one of their silly Earth Day Celebrations
We have perfectly good sources of reliable, dispatchable electrical power that we regulate so heavily they are basically outlawed. Instead, we crush our environment to enrich the politicians’ cronies. Still scratching my head over what makes that “renewable.”
Anyone who admires wind turbines as environmentally friendly must be on hallucinogens. They are Green billboards, mechanical behemoths with a long lasting, monumentally huge footprint. Plant trees instead.
Wind Energy is Not Enviromentaly Friendly its a hazard to Birds and Bats wind turbines are terribly noisie and it can not be relied upon and therefore we need to totaly defund Wind Energy and Solar Energy as well
Sure we can all burn fossil fuel till the cows come home,