Sierra Club Canada 1.1: Time to confront anti-wind fear campaign

Sierra Club Canada last week reposted its report "The REAL Truth About Wind Energy" (see "Sierra Club Canada: Time to confront anti-wind disinformation campaign," June 3, 2011) after the report was briefly removed from the Web due to "notice of legal action," according to an accompanying news release.

"People want to know the truth. We will not be deterred from speaking out by bullying, intimidation or attacks on our reputation," said John Bennett, the group's Executive Director.

Sierra Club Canada said it "is just the latest target of anti-wind energy groups who appear to be out to destroy the reputations of those who do not share their views."

"We have been accused of being paid off by government and industry–which is simply not true," said Bennett. "Even our youth wing has been smeared because it's a partner in the 'High School Climate Challenge' (HSCC). The alleged crime? HSCC is a program of Clean Air Champions which receives funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

"The real public health risk is from climate change and air pollution. This week the United Nations reported that in 2010, over 42 million people lost their homes due to natural disasters, including climate change-related storms, floods and drought," said Bennett. "That's 17 million more than the year before."

The group said it "remains strongly supportive of wind turbines but notes the importance of locating them away from residences, known migratory bird flyways and other sensitive areas."

Related articles:

Environmental Defence (Canada): 'No basis' for health impact claims, June 6, 2011
Sierra Club Canada: Time to confront anti-wind disinformation campaign, June 3, 2011
WINDPOWER report: New study finds minimal low-frequency and infrasound impact from wind turbines, May 25, 2011
Does the sound of money soothe Wind Turbine Syndrome?, April 25, 2011
WHO guidelines on sound are … guidelines, March 28, 2011
Scientists, doctor weigh in on wind and health, November 30, 2010
Wind turbine sound: The neighbors speak, March 18, 2010
Expert panel concludes wind turbine sounds not harmful to human health, December 15, 2009

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