Not all NIMBYS’ activity should be seen negatively
MANY years ago the published a letter from me in which I extolled what I thought were the utility and beauty of wind turbines and their environmental benefits and for which I was roundly criticized by dissenting correspondents.
It is sad then that I find the article in the
disappointing in that the “academic backing wind farm support” dismissively deprecates “NIMBY haters dominating the debate with their arguments on landscape aesthetics”.
Academics have subtle minds, a purview of information and a respect for facts and ought not to selectively and partially deploy a perspective that shelters under a legitimate umbrella of climate change concern.
In England’s green and pleasant land some areas are protected by statutes which mirror a multitude of voices, represented by such as the National Trust, not just those of a minority NIMBY nature.
It is perhaps possible to sometimes see some NIMBY activity positively. Resisting another runway at Heathrow or protecting ancient woodlands under threat from HS2 by local communities might be regarded as NIMBY led – but also environmentally welcome.
In an appropriate setting wind turbines should be avidly supported, especially at sea where the technology is proven. They are more productive due to better wind and where noise pollution and visual amenity are not issues.
Besides they might in time provide marine sanctuaries as a form of artificial reefs, as wrecks do, or as havens for sea life protecting the sea bed from degradation by trawling.
Global Briefing was a little confusing
YOUR Global Briefing
tells of 2019 as recording the biggest falls in global electricity generation from coal and power sector carbon emissions since at least 1990.
The statement seems rather crammed, electrical power is not generated from emissions perhaps also in this assurance, should have been at least two appropriate units of measurement.
Given the statement’s use of the plural (falls and not fall), does this refer to a number of weeks in 2019 rather than the entire year, and were these weeks in the summer, perchance?
Maybe the report is a lot clearer on how to survive 10 weeks of potentially big-freeze UK winters when the sun isn’t shining warmly, wind turbines are occasionally static, and millions of vehicle batteries are charged every evening.
Build affordable housing in centre
WHAT marvellous common sense Stephen Dorril wrote in his letter
A radical idea to my mind is why not make Huddersfield town centre into more of a village with afffordable housing?
I wonder how many acres of land is going to waste in the town centre and surrounding areas for example where the old technical college is, the sports centre site and many more empty buildings just going to rack and ruin.
Not just handshakes that are unhygenic
SO the Football Association has banned handshakes before matches because of the threat of the coronavirus outbreak?
But the same players continually spit and clear their noses during the game and then fall over the pitch no doubt falling onto these deposits. I just wonder how hygienic that is?