In Everyone's Backyard? Facing the Challenge of Energy Sprawl.

This article explores the growing opposition to wind and solar energy projects, both domestically and globally. Concerns raised by opposition groups include the impact on local communities, such as noise, vibration, and changes to landscapes. Indigenous groups and rural communities in the Global South have also clashed with wind project developers, accusing them of land theft and bribery. The article highlights the arrest of climate activist Greta Thunberg for protesting a wind farm on indigenous land in Norway. It raises questions about the feasibility of a high renewables strategy and the need for an honest debate about energy options. The article also discusses the challenges of meeting climate targets and the significant land area required for wind and solar installations. It concludes by mentioning the growing movement to prohibit solar energy systems on farmland in the Midwest, with several townships and counties adopting restrictive ordinances. The article emphasizes the importance of taking the concerns raised by opposition groups seriously and adopting a principled approach to address the opposition to renewable energy. [Extracted from the article]