Windfarm application
Posted: Monday, 18 February 2008 |
Comments
It is with caution and respect for the people who are living on Lewis that I none the less reiterate what others have already said about the overiding need for global survival, see for example M. Lynas "6 degrees: our future on a hotter planet" (Harper Collins 2007). To sum up, the population of the globe has between 8 (yes, eight) and about 20 years to stabilise CO2 equvalents at 450 ppm, This is likely to result in a world 3 degrees warmer than baseline. Somewhere beween 3 and 4 degrees increase will lead to a > 50% probability of increased emissions of natural methane sources that will throw Gaia into a positive feedback loop that is no longer controllable (I say this on the theoretical supposition that the situation today is controllable given the polical will). So what the argument about wind farms is about, also for the inhabitants of the beautiful Western Isles, is not having a beatuful view 20 or 50 years on but having a view at all- after all, that requires that people are still alive there. We have a nuclear power station 5 km. away. The reactors were shut down in 1999 and 2005 because of Danish protests, which has lead to Sweden import electricity from Denmark generated from coal-fired power stations. Where is the sense in that? I would gladly see the nuclear power station reopened and thus diminish CO2 emissions by 9 millions tons annually. I would also be delighted to learn that a formula could be found to compensate Lewis dwellers by making construction and maintenance genuinly local and awarding them a more generous compensation from power revenues. I am prepared to accept almost any measures now to ensure a higher probability that grandchildren all over the world will have some kind of a life.
Barney from Swithiod a sinking feeling
I see on your list 'whisky distilleries'... I was told last night that there will be one going soon in Uig. Apparently the guy is bringing in the barley malt from elsewhere (since no one grows it here on the island anymore). So that's number one on your list ticked...
Heb Life from shaken not distilled
Desperate indeed. The ludricous idea to build 60 turbines to begin with and see if it affects wildlife is beyond belief. What happens if they go ahead and find that it does, indeed, affect wildlife? Are they going to take them all down again, remove all the concrete and roads and put back the peat (which presumable they will keep handy for this eventuality)? Complete nonsense and I hope that the Scottish Ministers are not so daft as to fall for it. All your ideas are sensible but - come on - how is any big company and its shareholders (who are not based on Lewis) going to make millions out of them?
Les Ellingham from Stafford
I will put money on this outcome. The big plan gets turned down but to save face you get to become an self serficient in energy - at great expense.
Anne from Argyll
Barney:I think everybody takes your point about the danger posed by global warming, although I think your 8 years forecast is somewhat over-alarmist. Remember how Aids, then Mad Cow Disease, then Bird-Flu were going to wipe us all out in 8 years? We need to remember that the USA is responsible for 36% of the world's CO2 emissions followed by China with 18% and India with 12%. Britain's contribution drops off the bottom of the page, and wind turbines on Lewis are not going to save the planet. It is private cars rather than power stations that are the principal cause of global warming, and the world needs a US President prepared to risk political suicide by facing down the oil lobby. I hate to accuse George W Bush of talking sense, but when he argues that technical improvements to car engines can lead to a major decline in CO2 emissions, he has a point. I think nuclear power is the answer and, yes, I know its potentially dangerous, but I have faith in the ability of human beings to devise ways of overcoming the dangers. The car was thought to be dangerous when it was invented, and a man had to walk in front of it with a red flag. I still have a car like that.
Malkie from Glasgow
Malkie, thanks for your reasoned comments to my contribution. On this subject there is no right or wrong, each individual can only state her/his view of the situation. We all know that we are in a really serious situation re. global warming but if this is due to CO2 emissions, increased atmospheric humidity, too many people on the planet, etc., etc., well, we just don't know nor can we. For all those who would like a good laugh and ammo. to oppose wind power generators, Google the following: vindmoelle-vaelter. This shows a wind turbine exploding during the high winds over Denmark last Friday - it's really impressive and I don't think it is a fake (though these days you can never be sure). A final word from me - there is no one solution, we have to try many - but of course the "cure" shall not be worse than the disease.
Barney from Swithiod ceeding a point
I think its fail-safe shut-down mechanism...failed! Surely when the wind gusts above a certain level, all windylights should feather and stop?
Flying Cat from gosh that was exciting
The grapevine says that the filum was shot by the service engineers, who didn't dare go aloft to fix the failed feathering mechanism. Rather sensible in the light of things. A number one expensive kabooom! And now I know what you mean by a windylight, although I don't really see how the term is derived. Explain, sagacious feline of impressive barbage!
Barney from Swithiod smashing
I have been in Lewis since late 2004 and am observing life on this fascinating island from an outsider's perspective. I look out at the lighthouse every day - as it looks out over the island and the sea. 
RSS Feed