Kirstie Robertson, Columnist, Pincher Creek Voice
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| Windmills at Cowley Ridge Kirstie Robertson photo |
Wind turbines have been proven to have a variety of health risks for humans and animals alike. With more turbines being constructed every day, and encroaching closer on human habitation, what cautions should we be considering when living among these machines?
Dr. Nina Pierpont has been studying the effects of a clinical phenomenon known as ‘Wind Turbine Syndrome’. A well known physician and scientist, she brought forth her findings through the publications of a book titled “Wind Turbine Syndrome” in 2009. Through her research, she has found that many people living within a 2km radius of these spinning giants become ill.
Living in Pincher Creek, none of us are strangers to the idea of living and working among the turbines. We often go about our daily lives without giving much thought to how they may be affecting us. With more of these machines being built every month, and plans to put up even more, we are almost literally surrounded by them in every direction – with some being placed less then a kilometre from human dwellings. The wind power companies will often have to pay a substantial amount to be allowed to do this, but is it really worth having these machines so close to home and directly above your livestock?
On March 7th, 2006 for the New York State Legislature Energy Committee, Dr. Pierpont stated that ‘These are large, industrial installations. They make large-scale, industrial noise.’ She goes on further to describe characteristics of the symptoms; ‘The symptoms start when local turbines go into operation and resolve when the turbines are off or when the person is out of the area.’
Some of the symptoms she identified in her testimony include:
- Sleep problems: noise or physical sensations of pulsation or pressure make it hard to go to sleep and cause frequent awakening.
- Headaches which are increased in frequency or severity.
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea.
- Exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression.
- Problems with concentration and learning.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
She notes that; ‘Not everyone near turbines has these symptoms. This does not mean people are making them up; it means there are differences among people in susceptibility’.
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| Near Cowley Ridge Kirstie Robertson photo |
As they do with humans, these turbines can affect animals as well – most noticeably in wildlife. By removing natural habitat and altering the original ecosystem, they can cause complications within the natural cycles. The more prominent of the effects can be identified as indirectly lower fertility rates due to loss of habitat and environmental stresses. If this has the ability to conflict wildlife, is it possible that it may be affecting local livestock? These turbines may cause unnecessary stresses that could be affecting the fertility rates of local cattle and equines. This could mean lower efficiency and more problems and associated costs for local ranchers.
A few questions to consider;
Just how much are these wind turbines costing us, physically, emotionally, and financially? Is it worth having them built so close to home, or should they be constructing further distances from habitation? They have already been proven to have negative effects on people and animals, could it be affecting us?
Sources:
http://www.savewesternny.org/docs/pierpont_testimony.html
http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com/news/2011/headaches-so-bad-you-cant-think-straight-australia-canada/
Voice Columnist Kirstie Robertson is a horse trainer, lifeguard, and High School student from the Cowley area
It is encouraging to see a young person publicly articulating her concerns about the industrialization of the landscape. The prevailing perception in the hallways of power is that the land is essentially unoccupied, and therefore available for ongoing exploitation without regard for the broader cumulative impacts. Perhaps we can find some encouragement in the recent ruling by the AUC regarding a planned transmission line through the Oldman Basin and/or across the South Porcupine over to the Livingstone. Those unseen citizens spoke out, and a faulty process has been halted. Ms. Robertson is brave. She is to be commended for acting as the conscience for her community, and her future. It is she, and her generation, who will have to live with the consequences of the current headlong rush to riches, such as that manifested by poorly controlled and excessive wind-farm development.
ReplyDeleteThis should be must reading for the MD council.
ReplyDeletePut it on their agenda..!