Healthy concerns

I believe it to be very revealing that the only tactic the likes of John Eoin Douglas can use (Letters, 19 April) to counter the concerns of those of us who object to the “carpeting” of our countryside with wind turbines (see Scottish Power’s full page advert, 18 April) is ad hominem argument.

He has obviously not noticed the fact that, like him, I am an urban dweller, in my case ten miles away from the nearest commercial wind farm, but having thus countered his accusation of Nimbyism, I direct his attention to the growing body of evidence that the presence of turbines close to dwellings is distinctly injurious to residents’ health, evidence which so far planners, the recipients of subsidy and government choose to ignore.

John Milne

Ardgowan Drive

Uddingston

John Eoin Douglas is scathing about those who are anti-wind farm and calls them Nimbies.

The basis on which our politicians said that we needed wind energy was to reduce mankind’s CO2 emissions and thus “save the planet” from global warming.

The planet has not warmed for 15 years and counting.

In Scotland it is the First Minister’s ego trip that will, unless it is stopped, see more than 8,000 wind turbines despoiling our landscapes.

Never mind Scotland has the “best CO2 reduction targets in the world”.

The cost of turbine subsidies is horrendous and the consumer/taxpayer pays.

Scotland has a meagre 0.15 per cent of global emissions (UK 1.5).

America, China, India, Brazil and Indonesia refuse to sign agreements to curb their CO2 emissions.

It is claimed, but disputed, that wind turbines save five million tonnes of emissions in the UK every year.

China and India add 100 million tonnes every month.

So, Mr Douglas, can you please tell me what difference our “expensive green wind turbine crusade” will make to the planet while other countries grow their economies.

CLARK CROSS

Springfield Road

Linlithgow

I THINK wind farms are beautiful. Whenever I come across them I feel like I’m living in a country that is planning for the future.

While I realise that they are perhaps not as efficient at producing energy as we once hoped they would be, we mustn’t give up on their potential to bring us clean, cheap energy.

DARREN BLOOMBERG

Ferry Road

Edinburgh