Is there a tipping point when harvesting renewable energy is harmful?

Our readers respond to the question of how solar and wind farms change the planet - for better or worse

3 May 2023

Panoramic view of wind farm or wind park, with high wind turbines for generation electricity with copy space. Green energy concept.; Shutterstock ID 1933377149; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: - — Vladimka production/Shutterstock

Does harvesting renewables like solar and wind change the planet slightly? Is there a tipping point where this harvesting becomes as harmful as the effect of fossil fuels?

Alex McDowell
London, UK

Covering a fifth of the Sahara desert with solar panels would have adverse effects on world climate.

A 2018 study found that covering the entire Sahara with wind farms and solar panels would double the local rainfall, improve vegetation and help power the world. However, another study in 2020 looked at the global impacts this would have. It found that effects on Earth’s climate systems from…