Thu, 10 Feb 2005

Thursday 10th February: http://www.Yes2Wind.co.nz , a website to support and promote the use of wind power in New Zealand has been launched by Greenpeace, and endorsed and supported by national environmental groups: the Environment and Conservation Organisation of New Zealand (ECO), the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and WWF New Zealand.

The environmentalists say the technology can boost jobs and tourism while fighting climate change - the world's biggest environmental problem.

"There are many concerns and worries about wind power. This website is designed to answer those questions – and give the many New Zealanders who want to support a windfarm the information they need to do so," said Cindy Baxter, Greenpeace Campaign Manager.

A EECA poll in July 2004 showed 82% of New Zealand respondents approved or strongly approved of wind power. (1)

The website is based on a very successful site run by a similar group of environmentalists in the UK ( http://www.yes2wind.com ), where the wind energy industry is growing rapidly.

The website has detailed information for how people can support local windfarm applications and gives practical advice on how people can get more involved in promoting windfarms in their area.

It provides detailed answers to some of the myths around wind technology. One example is around the noise made by wind turbines. In Scotland, a MORI poll showed that 12% of people objected to a wind farm near their homes before the windfarm was built. However, after they were built, that figure shrank to just 2%. (2)

The new website has a map showing areas where current windfarms are and also where new sites are proposed.

Yes2wind outlines how windfarms must be a key part of New Zealand's efforts to tackle climate change, and can increase investment, create jobs and attract tourists, as well as reducing air pollution. This technology has the potential to greatly reduce New Zealand's dependence on fossil fuels like coal and gas.

"New Zealand can meet its current energy needs with wind three times over. It's time we turned our back on polluting power and embrace clean, renewable energy sources. We urge anyone who wants to get involved in fighting for our environment to say 'Yes' to wind," said Cindy Baxter.

(1) http://www.windenergy.org.nz/documents/040701-UMR-EnergySurvey.pdf (2)
(2) http://www.mori.com/polls/2003/windfarm.shtml

ENDS

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