Wind farming and the not-in-my-backyard syndrome: A literature review regarding Australia's challenge in relation to climate change and CO2 emissions

The syndrome of Not-in-my-Backyard, NIMBYism, is powerful and persistent. Opponents to wind farming have developed criticisms regarding biodiversity (birds and bats are being killed), reliability (wind power can only be used as intermittent source of power), the economic costs (wind turbines are costly but contribute very little to the reduction of CO2), and health (the noise). The main argument, however, refers to the destruction of the view of the landscape, visual amenity or the aesthetics. This literature review looks at these claims and argues that the concept of NIMBYism should be looked at critically, that its relevance is debatable if we look at the environmental damage of increasing CO2 emissions, and that governments and developers need to better promote wind power, including the jobs this new industry creates. Often people object to the siting of wind turbines because their sense of place is interrupted; an issue to be addressed by the proponents of wind energy. Some case studies are presented and it is argued that NIMBYism is based on non-rational arguments but has very rational consequences.