Are wind farms really environmentally friendly?

[DaughterUK]

We've all heard about wind farms being a renewable source of energy. The question is, are they really friendly to the environment?

Aside from the obvious problems of noise pollution and their unsightly look on the landscape, what about the effects that the turbines have on wildlife, or more specifically, their effects on birds and other flying creatures?

If massive wind farms were to be constructed, including off-shore wind farms, wouldn't this be a hazard for the flying wildlife? What if seaguls were to become an endangered species as a result of being killed by the rotating blades of the turbines?

I think that the risk to birds and bats (which are already endangered in England) is too great to allow lots of wind farms to be built when there is a viable and more environmentally friendly nuclear option.

Thoughts?

[Jayvader]

I don't really know if they are dangerous you bring up a good point.

I suppose they could be dangerous for the birds going past, i think it depends on how big these wind farms are.

^_^

[CountryBoy]

I've got to be honest and say I'm not a huge fan of wind energy.
Despite being sustainable it costs a lot of set up and isn't hugely efficient. The turbines only last for 10 or 15 year too.
I favor nuclear energy. It's very efficient, produces a lot of energy and is clean apart from the waste when the plant is decommissioned. Most nuclear waste can be recycled now anyway.

[caledonia]

But for me, wind farms are still eco friendly too, they use wind energy as their source of electric power. Wind power consumes no fuel and emits no air pollution. And Regarding to the birds killed by the turbine is lesser than the result of human activities.