Question: A company wants to put a few wind turbines in your community, do you...
Welcome it with open arms? We need more green energy -- 12 Votes (50%)
Learn more about them and get a community group together that could possibly invest in the project? Community power has its advantages -- 10 Votes (41%)
Go about your usual business? Who really cares anyway -- 3 Votes (12%)
Vehemently oppose it and fight the project to the death? They are an eyesore and could be dangerous to my health -- 1 Vote (4%)
Get the hell out of dodge? There's no way I'm hanging around near those behemoths -- 0 Votes (0%)
As expected, most people voted in support of the project. This is fairly common throughout Canada, as the majority of Canadians are generally supportive of wind power. However, things might change if it is in your community. Studies have found that support for projects can be very high initially, but as the details of the project come closer to reality, support can often drop drastically. Even the most staunch environmental supporters can find themselves opposing a project, especially when they didn't expect to in the first place -- which helps to explain why so few are opposed to any project.
The second most popular choice was to learn more about wind power projects. Most people don't know the ins and outs of these things and know only things through word of mouth. In many cases, these things can be false and exaggerated, be it supportive or oppositional to wind power, so it is very important that people get involved and start to learn the facts about that particular project. One of the best ways to do that is to get involved in the project itself by gathering up community members to invest in the project. Community ownership can influence the design of the project to make it more socially acceptable and appropriate in your community.
Just leaving it to others and going on with your own routine was also popular for some. While we at Enviro Boys are fascinated by this stuff, it is likely that many people just don't care whether or not there are any wind turbines put up. This is completely fair. Everyone has their priorities.
Only one person elected to fight it vehemently. This is gaining ground in Ontario as more wind projects are being put up. Some wind developers have undercut communities over the years and left an unappealing mark on the industry, resulting in an all out battle against wind power in Ontario, regardless of the project type. Other regions face this, too. While it is important to recognize the drawbacks of projects, sometimes this opposition can get a little carried away and reject any type of compromise.
No one decided to leave, but it is a reality. Some people can't stand the sight, the sound or even develop health issues related to wind energy -- although the latter is still up for debate. Some also leave before their property values plummet.
Being supportive of wind in general is nice, but the game can change drastically when it becomes a reality in your community.
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