Dispute over wind turbines in the forest: danger to the climate and nature?

Dispute over wind turbines in the forest: danger to the climate and nature?

In Brandenburg something is happening - and not everyone understands the excitement about the renewable forms of energy, especially when it comes to wind turbines in the forest. While the construction of wind turbines has long been seen as the key to the energy transition, the trend is now increasingly being questioned. Resistance is particularly stable in sensitive landscape protection areas, such as that between half, Teupitz and Freidorf, where wind turbines are planned for up to 261 meters. These highly oversized colossi, which are ten times higher than the surrounding pine, not only bring economic aspects into play, but also fuel worries about nature and environmental protection.

Pierre Ibisch, professor of social ecology at the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde, has clearly formulated his concerns. He warns that wind turbines can represent additional stress sources for the forests. After all, Germany has historically lost an enormous forest area; Today only a third of the country are forested, and that is often in fragmented sections. At this point it becomes clear that forests not only act as wood suppliers, but also have essential functions to regulate the climate and to bind carbon dioxide.

forest and wind: a difficult relationship

The construction of wind turbines also changes the microclimate in the forests. Measurements show temperature differences of up to 10 degrees between surfaces with wind turbines and undisturbed forest areas. The result: an increased risk of drying out and the associated forest fires. This also affects animals such as birds and bats, the habitats of which are disturbed by the huge systems.

Another aspect are the economic considerations: forest owners see a promising source of income in wind turbines. While only around 100 euros per hectare are generated from the traditional wooden harvest, a single wind turbine could bring up to 70,000 euros annually. This temptation does not make the decision easier for many forest owners and raises the question of how economic interests can be weighed against ecological aspects.

climate change in focus

But the wind power is not only tested in Brandenburg. Climate change is also intensively discussed in Austria. The research project "Climate Media Frames" at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences examines how different communication strategies can help to convey the challenges of climate change. Dr.in Franziska Bruckner and her team analyze various media formats to get to the bottom of how climate change is perceived and what role wind power plays.

in Brandenburg and beyond, the discussion about the right balance between renewable energy generation and the protection of our nature remains a major challenge. In the coming years, the answers to these questions will be decisive for how we deal with the challenges of climate change. It remains to be seen whether a rethink will take place that meets both human needs and the requirements of nature.

Berliner Zeitung reports about the turbulent discussion about wind turbines in the forest. You can also learn more about the communication strategies in climate research at Environment and Energy and about climate change and adaptation strategies Hlnug .