Balancing Our Ways, Wind and Whales: The Continued Fight for Land and the Sea
The West Coast waters of the United States, rich in cultural and environmental significance, are at the center of a growing debate. The Chumash Tribe, with deep-rooted ties to the coastline, especially from Cambria to Morro Bay, has been advocating for its protection. However, under President Biden’s NOAA, there’s a push for an offshore wind project in this region, sidelining the Chumash and other tribes like the Salinan. Sustainable fishermen, who have long practiced hands-on conservation, also find themselves overshadowed by these large-scale projects.
‘We felt so betrayed’: Indigenous tribe reels after exclusion from US marine sanctuary | California
A recent documentary, “Thrown To The Wind,” presents a stark contrast to the government’s assurances about the safety of wind turbines. It exposes the dangers of high-decibel sonar emitted by wind industry vessels, which can potentially disorient and harm marine life, particularly for whales.
New documentary ‘proves’ that offshore wind farms kill whales
________
Join Our Membership - Free!
________The wind industry’s deep pockets and influence raise eyebrows, with hefty donations to several environmental organizations. This financial entanglement brings into question the objectivity of research on the environmental repercussions of wind projects. The undeniable uptick in whale deaths since 2016, coinciding with the wind industry’s expansion, further fuels these concerns.
While the push for clean energy is commendable, it should not come at the expense of marine ecosystems or Indigenous cultural ties. The rapid drive towards offshore wind energy, without comprehensive environmental impact studies, risks not only the marine life but also the very fabric of Indigenous communities that have thrived along these coasts for generations.
As the offshore wind industry pushes further, weighing the potential environmental and cultural costs is imperative. The quest for renewable energy should not close our eyes to the possible irreversible damage to our marine environment and the sidelining of our Indigenous rights.
“The Biden Administration’s exclusion of California’s First Peoples’ voices and needs are nothing short of shameful.” – NASP.
