Environmental Engineering Reference
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perception that the erection of wind turbines will adversely afect tourism.
Yet surveys conducted in tourist areas in Germany, Belgium, and Scotland
indicate that such concerns are unfounded. 39
he trouble is that the general public rarely has ready access to informa-
tion necessary to assess the pros and cons of wind power projects. Media
reports tend to emphasize storylines that have popular appeal (i.e., famous
igures who are opposed to a development, accusations of scandalous
behavior, etc.). 40 Consequently, media coverage often fails to provide the
full information that the public needs to efectively evaluate the merits of
a project. 41 Moreover, as one wind expert points out, a great deal of misin-
formation about wind power has purportedly been propagated by fossil fuel
and nuclear power special interest groups. 42
he lesson for policymakers is that some forms of opposition can be miti-
gated by providing community members with more comprehensive infor-
mation on a given project. In fact, not only will a more proactive media
management strategy help mitigate opposition, it may actually engender
enhanced support.
2.5.2 Perceptions Improve
Research also indicates that public perceptions generally improve after wind
projects become operational. 43 Polls conducted with residents from communi-
ties that host wind energy developments in the United Kingdom, Scotland,
France, the United States, and Finland have all demonstrated that wind
farms that are properly planned and sited can engender positive project per-
ceptions. 44 In fact, wind energy projects that have been planned to minimize
adverse social and environmental impacts can even positively inluence per-
ceptions of wind energy once completed. 45 Even in Denmark, where there is
a higher degree of wind power saturation, respondents to a survey who were
living closer to wind turbines were not found to be more negatively disposed
toward wind power, and overall attitudes toward additional on-land turbines
were found to be positive. 46 From a project management perspective, it is note-
worthy that positive perceptions are particularly strengthened when commu-
nity members are ofered opportunities to invest in the development. 47
2.5.3 Aesthetic Concerns Overshadow All Others
Research indicates that local concerns trump global concerns and aesthetic
impacts trump ecological impacts when community members evaluate the
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