A Highland anti-windfarm campaigner who has had enough of “industry spin” hopes her new book about turbines will be allowed into schools to bring some balance to the debate.
Beauly-based Lyndsey Ward has fought the spread of onshore turbines for more than a decade, arguing that they are an economic disaster due to subsidies and cost of switching them off, and that they blight the countryside and damage people’s health.
Books and paraphernalia promoting the industry have circulated at schools for some years.
Scottish Government policy is that councils should include green energy in the school curriculum or after-school activities “to provide a foundation for balanced decision-making in later life.”
But Ms Ward has argued that children are hearing only one side of an important discussion.
Her new illustrated children’s book, Tiny the Turbine, is a sequel to e-book Subsidy Sam that targeted adults.
She said: “I’m disgusted that the Scottish Government allow multinational wind developers into our schools with no balance and no negative impacts being explained.”
While Subsidy Sam was a dark tale, Ms Ward considers the new book “a moral and uplifting story that shows it’s possible to overcome the wrongs of the world no matter how daunting the challenge may seem.”
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser yesterday pledged his support for wide distribution of the book.
“Ultimately, it’s up to head teachers to decide what are appropriate materials to be used in schools,” he said.
“But I’d hope when issues like renewable energy are being discussed with pupils that a balanced view is taken rather than just one side of the argument being presented. I can see how Lyndsey’s book could well have a role to play.”
Ms Ward is sending a copy to Scottish Government minister John Swinney in the hope that he will approve its addition to the school curriculum.