In order to build wind turbines, materials must be mined, manufactured, processed and transported as with all conventional power plants. The energy consumed to manufacture and transport the materials used to build a wind power turbine is equal to the new energy produced by the wind turbine within a few months. While a wind farm may cover a large area of land, many land uses such as agriculture are compatible, with only small areas of turbine foundations and infrastructure made unavailable for use.[1][2]
There are reports of bird and bat mortality at wind turbines as there are around other artificial structures. The scale of the ecological impact may[3] or may not[4] be significant, depending on specific circumstances. Prevention and mitigation of wildlife fatalities, and protection of peat bogs,[5] affect the siting and operation of wind turbines.
There are anecdotal reports of negative effects from noise on people who live very close to wind turbines.[6] Peer-reviewed research has generally not supported these claims.[7][8]
The production of permanent magnets used in some wind turbines makes use of neodymium.[14][15] Primarily exported by China, pollution concerns associated with the extraction of this rare-earth element have prompted government action in recent years,[16][17] and international research attempts to refine the extraction process.[18] Research is underway on turbine and generator designs which reduce the need for neodymium, or eliminate the use of rare-earth metals altogether.[19] Additionally, the large wind turbine manufacturer Enercon GmbH chose very early not to use permanent magnets for its direct drive turbines, in order to avoid responsibility in the bad environmental imprint of rare earth mining.[20]
That depends on your point(s) of view.
Use of wind generator, no; other than the claims of bird kills, (unverified by my OWN unit,) and some noise pollution due to operation.
Maintenance requires petroleum products or synthetic equivalents, which could be considered pollution causing either in manufacture or disposal.
Manufacturing of the wind unit could produce unwanted byproducts.
I'm a volunteer for a local bat population survey, so the biggest drawback to wind power in my mind is the reduction to the bat population, as mentioned by other posters.
Wind turbine blades create areas of very low-pressure air behind the blades as they turn. Any bats or birds that enter these low-pressure areas are instantly killed--their lungs and organs basically explode.
Bats are critical for insect control. The bat populations are already in serious decline. The insect control provided by bats reduces the number of times farmers need to apply pesticides to crops. "The value of the pest control services bats provide for cotton producers in south-central Texas was estimated to be $741,000 per year." "Insect consumption by bats reduces the pesticide bill of the agriculture industry in the United States by roughly $22.9 billion per year on average."
Bats are also important pollinators for plants. Some varieties, such as Agave, are pollinated almost exclusively by bats.
The wind is important & constructive part of the environment even though it may carry things that are harmful without it most of the life on earth would not able to go on.
Absolutely they add noise pollution causing harm to people and wildlife. There's supposed to be damage to underground habitats because large wind turbines require very deep foundations, they also kill birds that fly into them.
These wind enrgy operates without any technical support, that means no pollution at all.
they are powered by wind and don't create pollution like coal or gas powered generators
It is said that they devastate the bat populations.
do wind turbines harm the environment?
