From the NoTricksZone
By P. Gosselin
Blackout News reports here on the hidden high price for “green energy”.
Wind farms are often celebrated as a shining symbol of the energy transition – clean, renewable and future-proof. But behind this “green” lies an underestimated chain of destruction that is causing extensive, potentially irreversible damage to our ecosystems.
Photo on the North Sea coast: Copyright P. Gosselin.
Recent research shows that the true cost of wind energy is far higher than commonly believed and is paid directly and painfully by nature.
Erosion and nutrient loss
While the massive towers are the most visible aspect of wind farms, the real damage begins deep underground.
The construction of wind turbines, including the necessary access roads, leads to significant soil erosion. Studies show that hundreds of tons of valuable topsoil are removed per turbine every year. This loss weakens existing vegetation and exacerbates erosion problems.
What is often left is depleted soil with a decline in vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon. At the same time, the moisture content of the soil decreases. The result? The balance of local ecosystems is collapsing, a process researchers call a “cascade of ecological consequences.”
When the soil loses nutrients and moisture, vegetation growth is severely limited. Plants do not reach the height and density found in undisturbed areas. This is particularly noticeable in sensitive habitats such as forests and hedges. This then affects the insect population. A study conducted in the Ningxia steppe in China shows a clear connection: the number and diversity of insects decreases dramatically as turbine density increases. Insects lose their food source, which puts additional strain on the natural cycle of soil and topsoil. The result? A “Chain of Destruction”: Soil damage leads to unhealthy plants and plant shortages, which in turn leads to loss of biodiversity.
Disturbs the animal’s behavior
Wind farms also cause other, more extensive damage to nature. They disrupt the mating behavior of animals. Noise pollution and electromagnetic radiation can affect the reproduction and orientation of various species.
Large-scale local damage, no impact on climate temperature
Wind farms are not the perfect solution they are often portrayed as. The massive interventions in soil and vegetation and the associated burden on biodiversity show that a significant part of climate protection policy is carried out at the expense of nature. While a single wind farm theoretically affects global temperatures by a few millionths or billionths of a degree, the damage it causes to the surrounding area is enormous.
The invisible chain of destruction – from earth to insect – weakens entire ecosystems and casts a new shadow on seemingly “green” energy.
It’s time to be honest about their real impact on nature.
Full article at Blackout News
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