Links Page
The links below provide much more detailed information. Developers are frequently criticised for overstating the benefits of wind energy and down playing the negative effects. Some of these issues are addressed here.
The links are presented under different headings so you can choose which ones you want to look at in more depth. (You may need to permit 'pop ups' from our web site on your computer to get these links):
Please take some time to think about the information that the links contain. You may not agree with some of the things which are said, but please do not simply believe the information put out by supporters of wind energy without questioning what they say, and why they say it..
For those of you who are inclined to support wind farms all we would say is “By all means be ‘Green’ but please do not be naïve”.
Videos
'"Wind Madness"- Country Guardian initiated the national campaign against industrial wind turbines in 1991. This brief video gives a graphic introduction to the horrors of wind farms in the countryside for those who have never fully considered their impact.
Wind Farm Noise - This video was made by a protest group in Lincolnshire. It is based on the experiences of a community in South Cumbria. This film is copyright © LBV Television Ltd. Reproduced with the kind permission of LBV Television Ltd. Our thanks also to Stop Wadlow Windfarm Group for allowing us to link to the film..
BBC Radio 4 'Listen again'
BBC Radio 4 broadcast a programme called 'Costing the Earth'. The programme interviewed a number of experts who claimed that wind farm developers exaggerate the outputs of wind farms and are motivated by the huge profits that are available due to the subsidies that are paid. The programme provides thought provoking information.
The link above will take you to the BBC Radio 4 page. You need to click on the link that says 'Listen to 30 August' which is above the photograph of the presenter Miriam O'Reilly.
You may need to download 'Real Player' to listen to the programme if your own media software does not work.
Articles & Papers - 'Technical stuff'
Windfarms – Rape of the countryside or salvation of the World:
Dr Mike Hall. This article goes to the heart of the debate about the role of wind energy in electricity generation. The question posed is the reason why groups like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, who passionately believe in conserving the biosphere, often find themselves at loggerheads with organisations such as National Park Authorities, the Council for the Protection of Rural England, or Friends of the Lake District, who believe no less passionately in our landscape heritage.
Cumbria Under Siege: This article draws attention to the ever increasing number of wind farm proposals across Cumbria. You must read this to see how our county is threatened from these developments.
National Audit Office report on Renewable Energy: Whilst stopping short of calling for wholesale policy change, this report clearly states that there are much cheaper ways to reduce production of greenhouse gases, such as promoting energy efficiency than continuing to subsidise wind turbines.
Wind power is just a gesture: The inventor of the 'Gaia Theory' and inspiration for the green movement, Dr James Lovelock, explains why windfarms do not address the problems of global warming
Location, Location, Location - An investigation into wind farms and noise by The UK Noise Association
A rebuttal for eekers of the truth - The BWEA published what it called the ‘Top Myths about Wind Energy’ (1-15) and what it claimed were the true ‘facts’. Follow this link to read what they say and a rebuttal of the claims they make.
Other Campaign Groups
The following links take you to the web sites of other groups campaigning against wind farms in their communities. These will give you a sense of just how widespread these proposals are affecting people and why they are fighting them.
S.T.I.L.E. - (Stop Turbines in Lunesdale Environment) is an Action Group formed in April 2005 to oppose the spread of wind turbines in conspicuous locations within the Lune Valley.
FELLS - (Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery) was founded in 1999 to oppose the construction of wind-turbines wherever they would damage the beautiful countryside of the Eden Valley, the Lake District and Lunesdale.
BWFOG (Berrier Wind Farm Opposition Group) - an action group opposed to the construction of wind turbines on Berrier Hill near Blencathra. This site provided some excellent information and slide shows on wind energy.
National Wind Watch presents the facts about industrial wind power". With lots of facts, stories and reports from around the world.
Country Guardian is not opposed to all forms of renewable energy but believes that neither on shore nor offshore windfarms are valid, sustainable forms of electricity generation. In particular Country Guardian expresses concerns about the damage that can be caused in environmentally sensitive areas.
National Centre for Policy Analysis - a US site where the issues of renewable energy are discussed in depth.
The Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) is a registered charity encouraging the development of renewable energy and energy conservation whilst emphasizing that such development must be governed by the fundamental principles of sustainability.
REF has produced some of the most thorough and reliable information on wind power and other renewables in the UK, and has published numerous commentaries on Government policy. If you want to get to the heart of the issues then a visit to this web site is a must.
