James Lovelock windturbine blast.

Ground breaking scientist James Lovelock is rarely ever a stones throw away from controversy. In an article published in the Guardian last Sunday (29 March), the veteran environmental campaigner claimed that a new planning regime for wind farms “is an erosion of our freedom and draws near to what I see as fascism.” (1)

The blast was in response to Ed Miliband’s suggestion that opposing wind farms should be as socially unacceptable as failing to wear a seatbelt. Mr. Miliband, the UK climate change minister, had appeared at a screening of the climate change documentary The Age of Stupid and suggested that the government need to be resilient against local opposition to wind farms. He said: “The government need to be saying, ‘It is socially unacceptable to be against wind turbines in your area- like not wearing a seatbelt or driving past a zebra crossing” (2)

Apparently, Prof. Lovelock feels the comments made were hot air. In his piece entitled “Fascism in the wind,” Lovelock describes Miliband’s declaration as an attempt to use “the social rejection of political correctness” to nullify the rights of those who oppose wind farms. He continued: “As part of this campaign, the great and the good are now hectoring on the moral need to embrace wind energy.” (1)

But Prof. Lovelock’s hard words didn’t go unchecked. The ever crusading campaigner George Monbiot reminded The Guardian readers of one of the main facets of fascism: Violence. And in a mocking dig he suggested that “if Prof. Lovelock knows of people who have been killed as a result of their opposition to wind farms, he should tell us.” (3) Fascism, Mr. Monbiot concedes, “is not a charge that could be laid at the door of Mr. Miliband’s department.” (3)

This flurry of claim and counter claim comes at a time when investor interest in wind generated electricity is blowing cold. Energy giants are putting money back into coal now that the price of fossil fuels has fallen. Monbiot goes on to cite the companies with cold feet: “Shell has pulled out completely. Centrica, E.ON and BT are reviewing their plans. Sun Microsystems has suspended its projects.” (3) As a result, he believes that the government’s attempt to meet an EU target of producing 20% of all energy through renewables by 2020 is “unrealistic.” (3)

So, is the government’s planning scheme an act of fascism, as Lovelock suggests? He is not the only high-profile figure to oppose the erection of wind farms. Melvyn Bragg, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and David Bellamy have also been involved in campaigning against it too. Bob Barfoot, the Devon chair of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has also chipped in, saying that if the plans were given the go ahead, the government would be “undermining democracy.” (2) The people are divided; should the government press forth with their 2020 targets regardless of the opposition? Or should they follow the path of democracy by heeding requests not to wreck the rural British landscape?

Sources:

(1) Ministerial hectoring on green energy is fascism in the wind – James Lovelock, The Guardian, Sunday 29 March.
(2) Opposing wind farms should be socially taboo, says Ed Miliband- Allegra Stratton, The Guardian, Tuesday 24 March
(3) Just when we need him, the professor has an acute attack of the Bellamoids- George Monbiot, The Guardian, Tuesday 31 March.