Older generation oppose wind farms, says IPB
Independent research by Manchester-based public consultation firm IPB Communications has come to the conclusion older people are blocking the building of wind farms.
IPB Communications commissioned the research and presented its findings at the 2010 Renewable UK Conference in Glasgow.
The research found more than 75% of people polled said they would be in favour of plans to build a wind farm producing green energy close to where they live, with 86% of 16 to 34 year olds surveyed saying they would back the proposals.
IPB said nobody under the age of 24 said they would oppose a wind farm in their area and only one third of wind farm planning applications are actually getting approved.
The research showed that 61% of people aged over 55 were in favour of building a wind farm near their home and twice as many retired people opposed wind farms than those who are working.
IPB said spoilt views and increases in noise were the main concerns of those who said they oppose wind farms, while those in favour said protecting the environment for children, and renewable energy being the only way forward were the main reasons for supporting developments.
Speaking at the conference, John Quinton-Barber, from IPB Communications, said: "Younger people are clearly in favour of building wind farms for green energy, but they are not getting their message across.
"It is these generations, and their children, who are going to have to live with the long-term consequences of climate changes, so it is vital they stand up and have their say now.
"At the moment the statistics don't add up. The opinions of older people seem to be taking priority when it comes to decision making. The silent majority need to find their voice and take their views to councillors when it comes to renewable energy."
Quinton-Barber added that councils are rejecting two thirds of wind farms applications at planning committees.
Young people don’t have time!
By Jack
jake – that and the fact that the over 55s own 90% of the assets. You cant be a NIMBY if you cant even aspire to own the back yard.
By boywonder
quite to the contrary – young people have more time left on this planet than older people, which is perhaps why they are more concerned about preserving what remains, so they can buy a ‘back yard’ in a world that has a future (notwithstanding it is near a windfarm)!!!
By Enviro Champ
Why should they even have a say in our future energy resources? They will all be dead by the time most of the wind-farms will be built and surely they should want to safeguard the futures of their Grandchildren? This baby-boom generation are the same people that started the wanton over-consumption of natural resources and are the same generation that are in the Boardrooms of the Banks that caused the financial crisis (that’s if they haven’t already retired with a fat golden handshake and are now trying to scupper our chances of clean energy production for the future). Wouldn’t surprise me if half of them have hefty investments and shares in energy companies and don’t want their assests devalued by alternative energy sources!
By Rubytuesday
old people read the Daily Mail
By oxygen thief
I am a forward thinking 62 year old, still working, who agrees that wind farms should be built, so please go ahead and put them up for the sake of my children and grandchildren and stop listening to all the grouches!!!!
By Young Age Pensioner
I UNDERSTAND THAT WIND FARMS ARE NOT VIABLE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. WE ARE CREATING A PROBLEM FOR THE FUTURE THAT WILL LEAVE US RELIANT ON AN UNSUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCE WHEN FOR EXAMPLE, WE SHOULD BE DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BY WAY OF NUCLEAR OR WASTE DERIVED FUEL. THE LATTER HAS A DOUBLE WHAMMY BENEFIT, IT AVOIDS LANDFILL AND PRODUCES ENERGY FROM OUR DOMESTIC WASTE. WHAT COULD BE BETTER. IF COMMERCIAL WASTE WERE BROUGHT INTO THE EQUATION SUBSTANTIALLY MORE POWER COULD BE OBTAINED AND FURTHER LAND FILL AVAOIDED. AS A PILOT I SEE THE VISUAL DAMAGE WINDFARMS ARE CAUSING TO OPEN COUNTRYSIDE. WHY RELY ON A SOURCE THAT ONLY WORKS WHEN THE WIND BLOWS WHEN OTHE METHODS WORK ALL THE TIME. IF THE OLDER GENERATION ARE MORE VOCALLY AGAINST WIND FARMS THAT IS POSSIBLY BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE USED TO OUR GOVERNMENTS MAKING THE WRONG DECISIONS JUST TO APPEAR TO BE GREEN. THE CYNICAL AMONGST US WOULD CONSIDER THAT THE TICK IN THE BOX IS OBTAINED BY AN AWFUL ESTATE OF WIND TURBINES THAT ALL CAN SEE RATHER THAN A WASTE TO ENERGY POWER STATION THAT IS NOT EASILY VISIBLE AND HIDDEN IN A BUILDING. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OF OUR GOVERNMENT WANTING TO “APPEAR” TO BE DOING THE RIGHT THING RATHER THAN ACTUALLY DOING IT.
By A W GODDARD
I’m afraid that people of all ages are quite vehemently opposed to incinerators too!
By Chris Stuart
Perhaps older persons aren’t as easily fooled, they can see a scam.
By james