An overview

Loving Earth is about so much more than holding fond thoughts of our planet and cherishing it in a metaphysical way. It is about bringing those feelings of caring onto the material plane and manifesting them in the world of form. This we can do by becoming well educated about issues that concern us, and then taking appropriate direct personal action in our daily lives. Our actions may be both large and small. Each matters. Collectively, by way of our beliefs, intentions and actions, we create change in our world. If enough of us continually hold to the sacredness of all life, the changes will be good.

Getting specific

By now most of us are familiar with the term “peak oil.” Peak oil refers to the fact that petroleum resources on the planet are finite. For many years we humans have drilled for, extracted and used oil as if it were limitless. In fact, this is not true. This resource is in finite supply. Because oil does not replenish itself, what we use is forever gone. Many credible geologists believe that we have either just passed or are rapidly approaching the point at which supplies will “peak,” that most of the major sources of oil have already been discovered, and that petroleum resources are now either in dwindling supple or soon about to be.

Wise people would approach this situation with concern. In the industrialized world, petroleum is presently our major source of power. At the same time our supplies are diminishing, our global usage is actually increasing.

Unfortunately history tells us that when faced with situations of shrinking vital resources, humanity often chooses to ignore or deny the inevitability of change; then fight over what little of the critical resource is left (and with oil, squandering that resource during the fighting process). We enter into a downward spiral of violent behavior which creates hate, which causes more violent behavior at a time when cooperatively working on necessary change would be a better choice of action for all involved.

Making wholesome choices

Before the curtain fully rises on this disturbing scene, we can agree to make some conscious choices and changes. We can each determine ways that we can, both directly and indirectly, use less petroleum. We also can research alternative sources of power and ways we might make use of them. We can do this on personal, organizational and governmental levels.

Currently both the Natural Resources Defense Counsel and the Union of Concerned Scientists are actively encouraging the use of wind-derived power on a far larger scale than is presently possible with the facilities we have available. These organizations, along with numerous others, suggest building new facilities.

The technology for wind power has been around for a long time. Over the last few years it has improved significantly. For commercial use, large wind turbines with blades that run up to over 100 feet in length are grouped in appropriately windy areas on “wind farms” many acres in size, where they “harvest” the wind and convert it into electricity. Roughly speaking, this electricity is directed to the electrical grid and becomes a commodity which is sold to us by utility companies. We then use the electrical power in the usual ways. Smaller towers and turbines are available for individual and small business use and can be set up to supply electricity directly to the owner, without accessing the grid or a utility company.

A Caveat

To the best of our understanding, the wind itself blows whether we harvest it or not. This makes wind a “sustainable” fuel for power. Unfortunately there are some issues with wind farms. When spinning, the turbine blades kill both birds and bats in fairly alarming numbers. In particular, bats are at risk. Bat fatalities have been documented worldwide in Australia, Canada, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

In the U.S. during the summer of 2004, Bat Conservation International conducted an intensive investigation of bat fatalities at two wind farm locations, both of which were offered for the study by Florida Power and Light Energy. The study took place at Mountaineer, West Virginia (a 44-turbine installation) and at Meyersdale, Pennsylvania (with 20 turbines). Funding for the project came from Bat Conservation International, the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and alternative energy initiatives from several states.

BCI conservation scientist Ed Arnett (wind energy research coordinator), Boston University researcher Jason Horn, statistician Wally Erickson of Western Ecosystems Technology and biologist Jessica Kerns from the University of Maryland conducted the investigation.

The study documented alarming kill rates at both facilities: in a single six-week period between 1364 and 1980 bats were killed at Mountaineer and between 400 and 660 were killed at Meyersdale.

Scientists are concerned that with high kill rates such as these some bats could be pushed toward extinction unless methods are found to prevent or minimize fatalities. Meanwhile Bat Conservation International is analyzing the data and continuing to study the problem, looking for information which might indicate how wind farms could be best located and operated to reduce bat fatalities. In addition the organization is currently experimenting with acoustical bat deterrents.

In summation, although we believe the wind is pretty much without limit and thus a sustainable source of power; the way we currently harvest the wind is not sustainable without damaging our ecosystems.

Good information is important

Meanwhile many utilities, organizations and businesses are promoting wind power as clean and green. To this writer’s mind, often the strong inference is that the process is ecologically sustainable. Whether the parties doing this are unaware of the bat problem, denying it, or think it isn’t important; we, the consumers or potential consumers, are not getting all the information we need to be well informed about our power.

Working toward solutions

The good choice is to neither consider a ban on wind farms nor to eliminate bats, but for all concerned to work cooperatively toward a solution based on sound scientific information that will permit both bats and turbines to coexist in the best possible way.

There are a number of things we as individuals can do. If we are contemplating or already using wind generated power from a utility, we can contact the utility. We can explain the bat problem and let the utility know we want our power and the way it is generated to be ecologically sustainable. We can ask that they contact Bat Conservation International, find out what steps they can take to minimize damage and work cooperatively with BCI. We can follow up with our utility to be sure our suggestions are being taken seriously, that specific action results from our contact and that we know what that action is.

If we are considering our own wind turbine, we can assess its configuration and location. Although the formal studies have been made at wind farms, in the absence of hard data, it is no more logical to think individual towers are not harmful than it is to think they are.

We spoke with wind research coordinator Ed Arnett of BCI in an attempt to gather some information on the best way individuals who wished to use wind turbines might proceed. Locate turbines away from the edge of wooded areas and away from water sources. Lights on wind towers can attract insects and thus bats, so if possible, omit lights. When the machines are not in use, anchor the blades so they do not spin. Do not use the machines in minimal wind when very little electricity is generated and, as before, anchor blades when the machines are idle.

These precautions are for bats. Although we don’t have room to list them here, please check on precautions for birds as well. Working cooperatively together, we can make a difference.

Sources:

Bat Conservation International; www.batcon.org
Power Down, options and actions for a post-carbon world, Richard Heinberg
Problems of Wind Power, Robert Bradley, Jr.
American Bird Conservancy, Wind Energy Policy
National Resources Defense Counsel; www.nrdc.org

Pat Foley attempts to live a green life just outside of Cornish, Maine. She is a professional writer, artist, shamanic practitioner and the owner of Earthrest, a retreat center, definitely on the green side, offering space for groups and individuals. You may contact Pat at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (207) 625-4179.

© 2007 Pat Foley