To the editor:
In response to article “First Turbines Now Visible” by Ashley Saari, printed July 19, 2019 I find the visual impact of the wind turbines awe-inspiring. Our region needs every kind of renewable energy if we are to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
On to Facts: 1. Bird Kills: Domestic cats (2,400.000,00 bird deaths) are a far larger threat to birds, followed by: buildings (599,000,000), cars (200,000,000), power lines (30,600,00), cell and radio towers (6,600,000), then wind turbines (368,000). (StateOfTheBirds.org 2014). More wind turbines have come online since this survey, but I dare say the number of cars, buildings, power lines and cell towers have also increased. I doubt if the first five items in the list would be dropped from our lives for the sake of bird health.
2. Health: The World Health Organization has published guidelines for wind turbines and notes noise-related sleep deprivation causes a multitude of health effects. Lets us not forget that extraction of natural gas has caused irreparable harm to thousands of individuals and air pollution from consumption of fossil fuels causes an estimated 100,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S.
Scientific American reports researchers believe increasing planetary temperatures claim 150,000 lives each year around the world and that this number will continue to increase. Our climate is changing, and we are dropping the problem in our children’s’ laps.
The Antrim wind farm is a small step in the right direction. With enough small steps, we can change the world for the better.
Susan Durling
Hillsborough