Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
pros and cons of a wind energy project. Research by Robert hompson of
the University of Rhode Island found that a wind energy project's contri-
bution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission abatement will fail to mitigate
project resistance associated with concerns that the project will degrade the
aesthetics of a community.
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he lesson is clear: arguing that wind farms are
a necessary evil in light of climate change will simply not overcome opposi-
tion to poorly planned wind farms. A number of studies have also found that
the cause of public disenchantment over a given wind project is frequently
centered on concerns over erosion of aesthetic values rather than concerns
over degradation of ecosystems.
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A caveat with many of these studies is
that they were done in the United States, and may not be representative
of other advanced nations. However, there is enough anecdotal evidence to
indicate that these general principles apply in other nations (i.e., Denmark,
Sweden) as well.
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Overall, it is highly likely that in any community, the per-
ception that wind turbines represent aesthetic eyesores must be addressed
either through technical solutions (improved siting, camoulaging turbine
towers, etc.) or through better marketing of the community beneits associ-
ated with such projects.
2.5.4 Beyond NIMBY Opposition
Research shows that NIMBY resistance to wind energy projects is not the
only type of resistance. In attempting to understand opposing factions in
greater depth, Maarten Wolsink of the University of Amsterdam identiied
four types of resistance:
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•
Type A:
Individuals who support wind energy but are opposed to develop-
ing a speciic site (this is the classic NIMBY group).
•
Type B:
Individuals who are generally opposed to all wind power develop-
ments (NIABY—not in
any
back yard).
•
Type C:
Individuals who were initially positive toward a speciic project,
but develop negative feelings as a project develops.
•
Type D:
Individuals who are opposed to a speciic project due to poor
planning or other technical reasons.
he importance of delineating opposition across the four typologies rests
with the observation that each type of opposition demands a diferent
strategic mitigation approach. As mentioned earlier, mitigating opposition
from NIMBY opponents (Type A) involves a process that begins by seeking
to understand the often diverse drivers behind such opposition. Once the
