By Kenneth Richard on 15. March 2018
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 metres 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’
Millon et al., 2018
“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 wind turbine is a worldwide phenomenon.”
2. A ‘Distinct Physiological Response’ (Stress) Caused by Wind Turbines’ ‘Disturbance Factors’
Lopucki et al., 2018
“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 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 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
Ferrão da Costa et al., 2018
“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 on 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 on 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
Watson et al., 2018
“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)
Naylor, 2018
“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
Lange et al., 2018
“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).”
Posted in Green Follies |
These adverse effects of wind turbines have been well recognised for some years.
However “big wind”, supine governments and environmental zealots have conspired to conceal and ignore them.
Only now, with Trump enabling opposition to the more deluded aspects of AGW, are such real world observations starting to enter the wider public domain.
Small price to pay to achieve “sustainable development.”
https://americanpolicy.org/2018/02/20/sustainable-development-code-reorganizing-human-society/
And also no room for the environment, the protection of which was supposed to be at the top of their agenda.
I.e., lie, cheat and steal in order to con people into abandoning what works and embracing what destroys, for the perceived (by them) short term benefit of a few (themselves).
What a bunch of nonsense. Where do you find these hallucinating websites anyway?
You link to sites like them regularly, seb.
And you don’t even realise that these aims of the AGW Agenda has been spoken loud for many years.
That is how pitifully naïve you are.
DNFTT
I recently posted this to another article, but it would seem to be more appropriate here.
http://www.caithnesswindfarms.co.uk/fullaccidents.pdf
Three videos on how destructive the wind industry is – here’s the first (other two should be listed below it).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x4WVOp4QCFQ
There is no reason any of these monstrosities should ever have been built in the first place.
Now this is funny, yonason. The “monstrosities” and Kenneth writing about “systematic destruction” … why the hatred towards wind energy as if it would be personally destroying your lifestyle?
Do you have equal hate for electric vehicles in you? What about solar panels? A possible shift to a hydrogen/methane (energy) economy? What else do you hate so much that you feel the need to do anything possible to “prevent” it from happening?
Habitat and avian destruction is OK BY YOU, isn’t it seb.
You know they will not put any big wind turbines near your granny’s inner city basement.
Yup, bat-bursting, bird-blasting monstrosities- given a free-pass by the ecoloons who are usually all over the slightest perceived damage to the environment, like flies on sh1t.
Hypocrisy is strong with these idiots.
For many people who are unfortunate enough to have to live near wind turbines, it does just that.
Krekel and Zerrahn, 2017
“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 metres has a significant negative and sizeable effect on life satisfaction. For larger radii, no negative externalities can be detected.”
Seb doesn’t care what other people have to put up with.
Expensive electricity costs, local environment degradation, huge waste of funds that could have been spent elsewhere actually helping people improve their lot in life.
None of that is important to him.
So long as he has somewhere he can chant his baseless AGW mantra, and yap mindlessly about things he is basically ignorant about..
… why would he care !!!
That is his life.
He only cares about his self-preening but baseless ego-trip.
What hatred there is needs to be put into proper context. Not all hate is bad. As an Orthodox Jew I have been taught – “Hate evil, and do good.” So, when I see anyone criticizing others for “hate,” I have to investigate what it is they hate. So far…
We hate evil, and being conned into having it foisted on us.
They hate good, and do all in their power to destroy it.
Accusing us of being hateful will fool some of the simpleminded into thinking we’re the bad guys. Fortunately we are mature enough not to posture in appeasement to fools.
Also, hating evil doesn’t mean hating those fools, just their stupid ideas. It’s a sad little man whose ONLY arguments against his opponents are slanders.
Good to know. My favorite author during my late teens to early 20s was the brilliant Elie Wiesel. I visited Williamsburg in Brooklyn in the 1980s to familiarize myself with the Hasidim. Also read many Chaim Potok books. A fascinating culture.
@Kenneth Richard
Thanks for the feedback.
@Kenneth Richard
PS – We met Chaim Potok briefly at a book signing in Jenkentown PA, for his at the time new “Book Of Lights.”
My trips to NY have always been to Crown Heights.
My Name Is Asher Lev and The Chosen (made into a movie) were my favorites of his.
The passion for learning among the Orthodox community…
[snip]
We? As in skeptics or are you now talking for the Orthodox Jews group?
[snip]
Us who? You are full of hatred. It shows in all your comments. You hate everything that is different from the status quo. While I wouldn’t put you in the bad guys camp, you definitely are a disinformer and that is bad.
Only thing YOU bring here is HATE, seb.
HATRED of HUMANITY, and HATRED of ALL LIFE ON EARTH.
Its shows in your every post.
So much so that you want to starve that life of one of its MAJOR BUILDING BLOCKS.
Why do you HATE yourself so much, seb ?
snip? wth …
AndyG55, best example of a hateful post. Anyway, have fun … censorship is not my thing.
Don’t blame it on “censorship”. Rather it has to do with comment not meeting standards. We’ve in fact been quite lenient.
P.S., here’s video 3 in the series I mentioned above. It deals with the high toll on human health.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MnvazYxglJM
Is that so?
Google “wind turbine syndrome” then … wasn’t there a study that found out that people felt the effects whether or not the wind turbine farm in their vicinity was actually running or not?
I’d guess living in the 4000 meters radius around a wind turbine is no worse than living next to an Autobahn/highway, a factory, a school, a loud pub … or … wait for it … a conventional power plant.
To me it sounds like you are the guys who want to live in a Wagnerian opera landscape … you know, like those first Greenies (according to you guys), the Nazis wanted to.
Sick.
“I’d guess living in the 4000 meters radius around a wind turbine”
seb YET AGAIN shows his ABJECT IGNORANCE of anything to do with sound, physics or ANYTHING.
And it seems he actually RELISHES the DESTRUCTION of hinterland and habitat.
Wants everyone down to his basement/cave dwelling status.
As you say, K, TRULY REPUGNANT..
Seb,
Why the hatred towards people? What have they done to you? Can’t you resolve whatever personal problems you have without involving the rest of us?
bats.. maybe one of those 30,000 species going extinct ?
… but wind and solar MUST take precedence over wild-life preservation.. ALWAYS.
It really is a sad indictment of the environmental movement that they have allowed themselves to be CONNED in this way.
CONNED into an irrational, anti-science belief that enhanced atmospheric CO2 is anything but TOTALLY BENEFICIAL to the life cycle it builds.
May be there is one small upside to wind turbines – Tamworth NSW Aust has been experiencing a problem with bats (known here as flying foxes) they defecate in the streets of the city and nest in trees along the river causing great annoyance to the local residents. They are also carriers of Hendra Virus which is deadly to humans and animals particularly horses.
Perhaps they could erect a few wind turbines and kill a few thousand of these nasty little beasts.
If and when I find where I have it stored I’ll post a study by The Royal Australian Air Force into the effects of Infrasound on Pilots
You could not put any turbines close enough to the town to have any effect on the bat population.
The Greenie environmentalists that live there would not allow it.
“NIMBY” would be their cry. !
It seems that the human race has finally achieved “peak stupidity” in creating a solution to a non-existent pollution problem and achieved extra marks for making the solution far worse in every way than the original “non-problem”.
Wind turbines involve serious real pollution issues in production, greatly increase the cost for electricity, have intermittent and unreliable supply, they damage wildlife, both airborne and ground based, as well as having adverse health effects on people.
They only exist because of the irrational, anti-science CO2-hatred that has somehow been brain-hosed into society, especially politicians.!
You really have to wonder what happened to human COMMON SENSE. !
On a related note
GOLDSTEIN: Wynne spills the beans on carbon pricing
According to a certain forum yapper, extinctions have gotten worse over the last few decades. (even though he can’t name one)
It should be noted that his assumed accelerated extinction rate is directly correlated with the advent of the climate change environmental brain-hosing/propaganda/con on a vast scale..
The wind industry utilises fraud and corruption. A New Zealand case study.
http://newzealandjusticeandpolitics.weebly.com/
It’s pretty obvious to most skeptics, but nice to know there’s finally something official to rely on,
Thx.
Official?
WIND POWERED FACTORIES
In 1750, there were 6,000 to 8,000 windmills in the Netherlands, in 1850 there were 9,000 of them. For comparison, this is almost 5 times as much as there are wind turbines in the Netherlands today (1,974 turbines as of September 2009).
In the UK there were 5,000 to 10,000 windmills in 1820.
France had 8,700 windmills (and 37,000 watermills) in 1847.
Germany had 18,242 windmills in 1895 (compared to around 18,000 wind turbines today) and Finland had 20,000 windmills in 1900.
I somehow knew that you would argue that wind turbines are not a new technology. I guess you would also argue that the internet is not new, since we could communicate before it existed.
Yes seb, LOTS of computers in the 1800’s.
EMPTY.
At least the windmills back then had a purpose.
Modern wind turbines are a massive financial and environmental BURDEN on modern society.
btw: it’s almost 30000 wind turbines/mills in Germany today. It was 18000 wind turbines back in 2005. Is this usage of old figures the root of your problem with understanding growth and your disbelief in wind/solar having more than a 10% share in just a few decades?
Sebastian H really has not got a clue and obviously is suckered in by the wind industry maybe he works for them..
Check out these facts about Germany’s failed renewable gambit..
“While USA’s greenhouse gas emissions have declined impressively over the past decade, Germany’s have gone nowhere.
Germany’s energy actions (Energiewende) are a raft of different policies that can be boiled down to the following plan: phase out nuclear energy while boosting wind and solar by guaranteeing producers long-term, above-market rates called feed-in tariffs. It was a plan that from the outset reflected all the unexamined beliefs central to the modern green movement, and it’s been plagued by problems at every step. 3
The plan resulted in aggressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power, causing German consumers to shoulder the cost of those feed-in tariffs in the form of sky-high electricity bills. Those power bills have encouraged some of Germany’s heavy industries to look around for a better environment in which to do business.
Germany’s Energiewende and its high costs are hammering consumers, many of whom are no longer able to pay their electric bills and are thus losing power by the tens of thousands of households. One study estimates that Energiewende cost Germany 150 billion euros in 2015 alone, and by 2035 it could cost $520 billion euros”
https://canadafreepress.com/article/germany-failing-energy-policy
I have no clue? The author you cite is the one with no clue. USA’s decline is as impressive as a 200 kg person losing 50 kg while the other person remained relatively constant at 80 kg.
Also, any idea how cheap new utility solar/wind has become in Germany? Take a guess!
And last but not least, industry has never paid the residential rate. Please name companies that left because of high electricity prices and not because of cheaper labor cost and tax incentives elsewhere.
And yet another MINDLESS analogy from seb.
Hilarious clown performance, seb. 🙂
So increasing temperatures cause less snow except in cases where they cause more snow. And in places where it hasn’t warmed, but cooled (i.e., the U.S.), global warming causes, uh, cooling and more snow…except in places where it warms. Then it causes more snow too.
#HowAGWworks
Yes, 19th century technology and its concomitant lack of reliability has returned. I think most people would understand that that was the point of linking to a 2009 report on the history of industrial wind energy — and not the number of wind turbines today vs. 9 years ago.
For that matter…
—
Renewable Energy Is Africa’s Poverty Trap
“In 1800, 94 per cent of all global energy came from renewables, almost all of it wood and plant material. In 1900, renewables provided 41 per cent of all energy; even at the end of World War II, renewables still provided 30 per cent of global energy. Since 1971, the share of renewables has bottomed out, standing at around 13.5 per cent today. Almost all of this is wood, with just 0.5 per cent from solar and wind.”
—
And the transition to solar/wind energy is cheap today: just $16.5 trillion. Such a small cost to save the planet. Right?
—
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-13/climate-deal-requires-16-5-trillion-investment-to-cut-pollution
“Making the energy industry safer for the climate may not cost as much as you think, even if the price tag is $16.5 trillion.”
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