Wind power is touted as a climate-friendly energy source, but a new study shows that wind farms themselves contribute to warming.
According to Harvard University physicists, wind turbines increase temperatures by mixing warm air from above with air below. This effect is especially noticeable at night.
👉 If the United States met all its electricity needs with wind power, it would immediately raise surface temperatures by 0.24 °C, which is comparable to the warming projected from greenhouse gases by 2030.
👉 In Texas, measurements even showed warming of 0.72 °C per decade in regions with wind farms.
According to the study, the impact of photovoltaics on the climate is ten times smaller than that of wind power. Therefore, the researchers urge to choose renewable energy sources based not only on CO₂ emissions, but also on their direct impact on the climate.
I don't even know how to comment on this. 😁
