You are causing “pollution” because you look ugly?

There are different types of pollution and visual pollution is one of them, even though it is less known by people. Unlike other types of pollution such as air pollution, water pollution and land pollution which are measurable and quantifiable, how do we define visual pollution since “ugliness” is immeasurable? 

Generally, visual pollution is defined as “any unwanted sight that mentally or physically affects the community or creates any health hazard”. It can be as simple as the ugly scene of huge mountains of waste on the roadside and unpleasant odour that affect your appetite or to a more serious extent which the overload of signboards that distract the road users and causing more road accidents. (Muthukrishnan)

Figure 1 Mountains of rubbish were piling up in the Spanish city of Seville

Source: (Watson, 2013)

Figure 2 Different Forms of Visual Pollution

Source: (Muthukrishnan)

A major conflict between renewable energy and aesthetical value is the wind farm. With the increasing concern of global warming issue, cleaner and more sustainable renewable energy are developed with lesser carbon emission. Wind turbines produce renewable energy by means of transforming wind energy into electricity; the process has no by-product of gaseous emission. (Grimm, 2009) Hence, there is an increase in popularity for wind energy.

World wind energy capacity has been doubling about every three and a half years since 1990.

Figure 3 Comparing Total Wind Energy Generation for 1993 and 2011

Source: (World Energy Resources 2013 Survey, 2013)

Due to the sitting requirements for efficient energy production, wind turbines need to be located in open unobstructed areas where strong winds are prevalent. For economic feasibility, they also need to be located close to a current grid network, reducing huge costs of transmission line connection. Consequently, ideal sitting locations are typically in conspicuous locations within close proximity to the outskirts of residential suburbia. (Grimm, 2009)

Figure 4 Wind Turbines in Natural Landscape

Source: (Terrabotics)

In the form of visual pollution, wind turbines also contribute to shadow flicker. Shadow flicker is defined as alternating changes in light intensity caused by the moving blade casting shadows on the ground and stationary objects, such as window on a dwelling. The major concern for it is the moving visual silhouettes across building windows and possible psychological effects of epilepsy and related health issues. (Grimm, 2009) However, this annoyance can be minimized with careful siting, planting trees or installing window awnings, or curtailing wind turbine operations when certain lighting conditions exist. (Environmental Impacts of Wind Power, 2013)

The video below shows how shadow flicker is caused by wind turbine. Do you think it is annoying?

Source: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbIe0iUtelQ)

Figure 5 A wind turbine is seen near to a gate of the ancient city of Wushu in Diaobingshan, Liaoning province

Source: (Zhu, 2012)

The wind energy is a form of renewable energy which reduces the impact of air pollution; however, it is hardly avoided to cause the visual pollution. Is wind turbine a nice sculpture for you or do you think it spoiled the beautiful scenery? 

Works Cited

(n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Terrabotics: http://terrabotics.co/

Environmental Impacts of Wind Power. (2013, May 3). Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-wind-power.html

(2013). World Energy Resources 2013 Survey. London: World Energy Council.

Grimm, B. (2009). Quantifying the Visual Effects of Wind Farms; A Theoritical Process in an Evolving Australian Visual Landscape. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/63374/2/02main.pdf

Muthukrishnan, N. (n.d.). Visual Pollution - More Dangerous than You Think It Is. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from C.P.R ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE: http://cpreec.org/161.htm

Watson, L. (2013, February 7). Striking rubbish collectors cause a stink in Seville by letting 6,000 tons of waste pile up on the city's streets. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from CapitalBay: http://www.capitalbay.com/uk/305832-striking-rubbish-collectors-cause-a-stink-in-seville-by-letting-6-000-tons-of-waste-pile-up-on-the-city-s-streets.html

Zhu, C. (2012, September 10). China pushes wind power, but no quick payoff for producers. Retrieved September 7, 2014, from Reuters France: http://reuters.fr/article/newsOne/idUKBRE8880J720120910