“I am sure they are suffering” — scientist issues stark warning that whales are being harmed by offshore wind farms
An eminent scientist has warned that infrasound and vibration in the marine environment, including that from offshore wind farms, is causing immense suffering to whales and other cetaceans.
“I am sure they are suffering…” says Dr Bellut-Staeck, a German scientist, whose peer reviewed studies have led to grave concerns over the increasing number of whale strandings and the potential damage being done to marine ecosystems, as the offshore wind industry expands.
Terrible distress
When I was contacted by Dr Bellut-Staeck, urging me to help spread awareness of the harm being done to whales in our pursuit of ‘green’ energy, her words resonated deeply with me, “I am sure they are suffering” she told me. Dr Bellut-Staeck, who has 20 years of experience in cardiovascular physiology, believes that infrasound (low frequency sound that is largely inaudible to humans) and vibration in the marine environment pose “an immense threat to life, especially whales and dolphins”, causing them great distress and giving rise to microcirculatory problems and issues affecting endothelial cells. She even suggests that entire marine ecosystems are at risk from increasing emissions of very low frequencies. “There is evidence for the increasing incompatibility of ever lower frequencies for all organisms and biodiversity,” she says. Dr Bellut-Staeck believes that this low frequency noise can be life threatening. If true, then fast expanding offshore wind farm developments could cause very significant harm to the life in our oceans.
Dr Bellut-Staeck told me that “the expansion of wind power [….] especially in the oceans, is of great concern to me.” She maintains that even low levels of infrasound have the potential to cause microcirculatory disorders. This could have catastrophic consequences for cetaceans and other animals. Dr Bellut-Staeck says that infrasound can have a detrimental effect on cell and membrane structures, leading to symptoms that correspond to microcirculatory problems. Explaining the implications of her research, she says “functional disorders and long-term damage to mammalian endothelial cells can now be explained in pathophysiological terms…”
An ‘immediate moratorium’ on wind farms
Dr Bellut-Staeck has shared her theories in two publications, which have been peer reviewed by other scientists, “several external scientists, also specialised in microcirculation, physiology, vascular biology, biophysics and cellular biology, have meanwhile reviewed the publications and confirmed the scientific nature, the scientific significance for the scientific community and the quality of the sources.” she told me.
Dr Bellut-Staeck points out that her research is “very stringent and coherent and should immediately lead to precautionary measures, such as an immediate moratorium on onshore - and especially offshore - installations until the scientific investigations have been completed.”
Projects worldwide, she believes, should be halted.
But those with most to gain from the industry are disregarding the scientist’s warnings. Instead of a moratorium and intelligent discussion, development is being ramped up.
Whales attacking boats — “it’s desperation” says scientist
Recent reports of whales attacking boats has caused much interest and speculation across the media. This unusual behaviour from these highly developed mammals has given rise to many theories, primarily that the whales are somehow ‘playing’, out of boredom. But Dr Bellut-Staeck proposes the saddest explanation of all. That the whales are being driven to desperation by human-made noise and vibrations in the ocean — “They [the whales] cannot escape and the different attacks of boats, I think this is desperation” she told me.
Think about that.
If it turns out to be true, then human beings, historically destroyers of nature, will have reached an all time low. The slow and steady persecution of some of earth’s oldest and most complex creatures. A by-product of our obsession to plunder the earth’s resources and perpetuate the human problem of overconsumption. Wind energy is not a solution to the climate crisis, it’s merely another threat to our wildlife — whilst being a money making project for those whose egos and vanity know no bounds.
The words of Dr Bellut-Staeck, concerning the fate of whales, should resonate loudly with us all. Magnificent ocean dwelling beings, ancient, wise and precious, suffering terribly because of the human race; washing up dead on our beaches in increasing numbers; it’s not okay, and we must stop our industrialisation of their environment.
But the scientist’s words of warning are being ignored by governments and authorities.
Further investigations could confirm Dr Bellut-Staeck’s findings conclusively, but governments and authorities — who could enable additional research — seem reluctant to do so. Dr Bellut-Staeck says “Even a hypothesis with high evidence, as we have it here, is only proven when the experimental proof is provided. The authorities here in Germany refuse to follow our request to initiate these investigations.” It would come as no surprise if authorities in other countries might also be reticent in acknowledging information that could put a spanner in the works of the controversial wind industry.
Hypocrisy
As the UK, the USA and many other countries push ahead with rabidly ambitious plans to expand the number of giant wind turbines in our seas, perhaps we should all be listening to the words of Dr Bellut-Staeck.
It’s quite ironic that governments and environmental organisations (with good reason) call on nations such as the Faroe Islands and Japan to stop openly culling whales in plain sight, while these same governments, with astonishing hypocrisy, might be covertly sanctioning the killing of thousands more whales under the cover of a great big illusion — that wind energy is helping to save the planet.
Reluctance to acknowledge the problem
The unyielding reluctance of authorities to acknowledge the science is nothing new, especially if it doesn’t ‘fit’ the agenda. The detrimental effects of underwater sound on marine life are considerable and have been known about for years. All kinds of marine life are affected by anthropogenic noise, (‘anthropogenic’ is defined as ‘environmental change caused or influenced by people’). According to a study from 2015, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Noise may cause stress in animals, increase the risk of mortality by unbalancing predator-prey interaction, and interfere with sound-based orientation and communication, especially in reproductive contexts.” The study notes that “There is growing international concern regarding the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine organisms. A number of studies have shown that the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine organisms can range from no influence to immediate death depending on the differences in the intensity and frequency of the noise and the distance from the noise source. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are still poorly understood.”
We also know that much more research is needed into the effects of electromagnetic fields on crustacea and other marine life, this being especially relevant given the miles and miles of underwater cables associated with offshore wind farms. And of course we cannot ignore the huge numbers of birds and bats killed directly by turbine blades.
But still, governments are ploughing on regardless of the possible harm being caused to countless marine species.
In recent years, an unprecedented increase in the number of dead whales, dolphins and porpoises, has correlated with the proliferation of offshore wind farms. We know that ‘correlation does not equal causation’ and we could debate the reasons for this increase in cetacean mortality until the end of time — but I believe the answer might be staring us in the face. Wind turbines are filling our seas with debilitating noise, together with potentially damaging infrasound, whilst wrecking delicate ecosystems and killing our wildlife. If this industrial development of our oceans is not the primary cause for the upturn in cetacean deaths (and it might be), then it’s clearly a contributing factor at least.
To deny this is to deny science.
Why knowingly increase ocean noise?
Human made ocean noise has increased dramatically over recent decades, with more shipping, including recreational vessels, and various sources of sonar and seismic testing all detrimentally affecting marine life. Why on earth would we seek to increase the noise further through offshore wind farms? Now, with the discoveries of Dr Bellut-Staeck concerning the potential harm caused by low frequency emissions, it’s even more important that we stop and consider the repercussions. We know the damage that might result, yet we push on regardless. Humankind really is the most selfish, stupid and irresponsible species. It’s really foolish because damaging nature will harm us too of course— it’s the most important lesson of all, ignored in pursuit of financial gain.
The wind industry carries out its business, purporting to be green and good, backed by governments hell-bent on reaching climate targets, regardless of the consequences for the planet and the life that it supports.
Like all great deceptions, the wind industry garners public support with promises of a better world for all.
But breaking the spirits of some of the most beautiful beings on this planet and driving them first to madness, and then death, is not progress.
When the remains of the turbines lie strewn across the ocean floor and litter our beaches, it will be too late. No doubt the same humans that enabled the desecration will speak of ‘learning lessons’ from the debacle (they always say that after creating a disaster), but only when the carnage becomes clear. Masses of dead animals and birds, ecosystems wrecked and environment polluted.
We told them what would happen.
Perhaps it was always more about money and less about saving the planet…..
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Scientific references: 1) Bellut-Staeck UM. (2023) Impairment of the endothelium and disorder of microcirculation in humans and animals exposed to infrasound due to irregular mechano-transduction: Journal of Biosciences and Medicine. 2023; 11(6). DOI: 10.4236/jbm.2023.116003 Link: https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=125553
2) Bellut-Staeck UM. (2024) Medical Research and Its Applications Vol. 8, Chap. 5 Chronic Infrasound Impact is Suspected of Causing Irregular Information via Endothelial Mechanotransduction and Far-reaching Disturbance of Vascular Regulation in All Organisms. FIRST EDITION 2024
ISBN 978–81–975566–2–3 (Print), ISBN 978–81–975566–5–4 (eBook) DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mria/v8
N.B. I have no agenda other than a genuine love for this amazing planet.
I am not paid by anyone to write this.
I’m not a ‘shill’ for the nuclear industry, nor the fishing industry, nor any government or political party.
I’m an independent citizen of this incredible planet, with a strong desire to leave a world as wonderful for future generations as it has been for me.
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