The Real Truth About Wind Energy

Sierra Club Canada has, for many years, championed the cause of renewable energy with the goals of protecting Canadians from the dangerous health effects of hydrocarbons; protecting our environment from climate changing greenhouse gas emissions; and creating a sustainable economy. Toward these goals, Sierra Club Canada has supported the Ontario Green Energy Act and the resulting investment in the wind industry in Ontario and Canada. The Green Energy Act provides a springboard for the development of renewable energy through investment in small and large-scale projects, helping Ontario to move away from dangerous fossil fuels such as coal and oil.

Recently in Ontario, there has been backlash and opposition to wind power. As a leading Canadian environmental organization, Sierra Club Canada sees this reaction as an indication of the need to further evaluate the safety and value of wind turbines and wind farms. After a thorough review of the science we are confident in saying there is no evidence of significant health effects that should prevent the further development and implementation of wind turbines, wind farms and wind energy. In fact, the further development of wind energy as a growing portion of our energy supply will reduce direct carbon emissions, improve the quality of the air we breathe, and generally improve the health and well-being of Canadians, our families and the environment in which we live. 

With a full review of available information Sierra Club Canada adds its voice to the overwhelming majority of governmental, non-governmental, scientific, and environmental groups in saying that a link between well-sited wind turbines and health concerns is unfounded. After a review of the pertinent information we hope that Ontario, and indeed all Canadian municipalities and citizens, can embrace wind power and the role it will play in a clean, safe, sustainable future.