Some 2,510 hectares of forest have been cut down since the SNP started
their drive towards wind energy and having Scotland produce 100% of its
energy from renewables.
Figures obtained from the Forestry Commission Scotland through a freedom of
information request have revealed that millions of trees in Scotland have
been torn down to make way for windfarms since the SNP came to power.
Some 2,510 hectares of forest have been cut down since the SNP started
their drive towards wind energy and having Scotland produce 100% of its
energy from renewables.
It equates to over five million trees having been cut down, with only a
fraction of these having been replanted since.
Commenting on the figures, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John
Lamont said: “The SNP’s drive towards their naïve renewable energy target
has seen wind farms crop up throughout the Scottish countryside, and
nowhere has this been more apparent than in the Borders. We have seen many
of the beautiful landscapes in our region scarred by these turbines, having
an adverse effect on our environment and our tourism industry.
“These figures show that the damage was worse than we first thought, with
millions of trees being cut down to make way for these turbines. One of the
main reasons behind the development of wind energy was to protect our
environment, but these figures show they are doing more harm than good.
“It is astonishing to think that they have been responsible for the felling
of so many trees, and as of yet very few have been replanted. It just goes
to show the lasting damage that these wind farms are set to have on our
countryside.”
Mr Lamont added: “Unfortunately I doubt that this will make the SNP see
sense on this issue, as they look hell bent on siting as many turbines as
possible. They need to wake up to reality and see the irreparable damage
they are doing to our environment and our region before it is too late.”
0 Comments