[LMB] "Civilization isn't just electricity."

[Tora K. Smulders-Srinivasan]

On 2/7/08, anmar mirza <anmar.mirza at gmail.com> wrote:

> Wind, on an appropriate site, is actually one of the best and least
> environmentally damaging alternatives we have.

Windfarms seem to be more abundant here in the UK and in Europe.  But
what seem to be the biggest problems (not an expert, but I've hear)
are actually ecological.  Birds get caught in the blades and that can
be huge problem for the killing of certain species.  Also, since they
tend to be put just off-shore because of the NIMBY problem, there are
problems for coastal species of many types, not just the birds.
Again, I don't know the details of which birds, which other species,
but the coastal areas of oceans are their own ecological niche, and
already around Europe, they're being highly disrupted.

Only saying this because I thought the windfarms would be great and
didn't realize that they cause so many problems for animals.

Coincidentally, my husband was just telling me about a PhD student who
came to talk to him yesterday or the day before.  She's trying to
study the electromagnetic effects of the huge cables going from land
to the windfarms on the animals in the ocean.  Perhaps another big
consideration.

-Tora