[svenrufus]

Think for a minute about how many birds, mammals, insects, etc etc will be killed by climate change unless we take substantive steps to reduce our carbon footprint. Tragic as it is for the birds in the pictures above to have been in a collision with a turbine, don't allow your sentiment to get in the way of what needs to be an objective, scientifically validated and long term strategic decision.

Put blunty it may be that we are being asked to make a choice between a few birds at one end of the scale, or a few species of birds at the other end.
Our loss of landscape (views) is not comparable to the potential for Bangladeshi loss of landscape (flooding of actual land, an area of 15000 square kilometres, where 7 million people live, is less than 1 metre above sea level)

Wind turbines are not the magic bullet, not by any means. But they do have the advantage over other stategies of being relatively cheap to build and install, and a hell of a lot quicker to bring on line than nuclear for example, where even if we really go for it, it will be at least 10-12 years before any new nuclear power comes on line. We may not have that long to wait.

A good mix of renewable energy technology can provide a significant part of our energy needs. Another sigificant contribution can be made by increases in energy efficiency and reducing unnecessary use. Add it all up, and we get where we need to be.

Oh, and before anyone trots out the already tired argument that there is no point us doing anything while China is building one or two coal fired power stations a week, just think why they are building them - to supply energy to the factories churning out endless consumer junk for us in the West. Their emissions are underwritten by our lifestyle and spending patterns. We are the ones that can make the difference.

If all you can do to help is turn off the standby button or change to a green energy tariff, then do it.
If you get the chance to comment on plans for wind turbines, welcome them with open arms.

We only have one planet, there is no plan B.