Is off shore wind really a good idea?

Question

After all, our oceans depend on wave action to provide a large portion of the oxygen the ocean water needs to support life within it. And most surface action is created by the winds.

While a few  massive wind turbines would not slow down the wind noticeably, we will need thousands and thousands of these generator's to replace our fossil fuel systems. As the turbines act as a tiny but constant brake on the wind and as thousands of additional brakes are applied to the wind on a 24/7 basis, will we have enough wave action to keep our oceans properly oxygenated?  Will all of this construction in the water and constant vibrations from the turbines and electromagnetic action from the production of electricity disturb sea life to the point of harm?

I have not heard any of this discussed and we must make certain that we are not creating unintended consequences that will be far worse than the problems we try to fix.

Andrew Smith · Accepted Answer

Although it is hard to imagine us removing enough wind to alter the wave action in the sea you  raise an extremely valid and little understood point. ANY energy we take affects those systems currently using it.  It MUST affect the environment to some extent. Possibly catastrophically.  We think there is such a thing as "renewable energy" that we can take without causing harm.  People should realize that this is an impossible dream.  The worst part is that if we THINK that there is an easy way to get ever more energy we will overuse whatever new energy systems we discover.  Leading to new disasters.

? · Answer

My lord. You have zero understanding of just how stupid you are being. Did you even research this at all? Wait. Let me guess. You have a natural understanding of science. Did you inject bleach to fight COVID?

Dixon · Answer

Don't worry, all the tree we are cutting down will compensate for that :-)

Is off shore wind really a good idea?

3 Answers