Shaun Newman Podcast #900 - Tammy Nemeth
Aug 25, 2025
Tammy Nemeth, a strategic energy and ESG analyst from Oxford, originally hailing from Saskatchewan, dives into the intricate world of energy transitions. She discusses the complexities of implementing wind and solar projects in the Prairies, highlighting environmental concerns that led to a moratorium on certain developments. Tammy further explores the unintended consequences of renewable energy on local ecosystems, including the decline in insect populations, and stresses the importance of comprehensive research for sustainable energy solutions.
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Unstudied Trade-Offs In Wind And Solar
- Wind and solar projects have unstudied ecological and climate trade-offs that can be significant in semi-arid regions.
- Existing studies show temperature rises and soil moisture declines near turbines that could exacerbate drought risks.
Turbines Alter Local Temperature And Moisture
- Wind turbines can increase nighttime air temperatures and reduce local soil moisture.
- Texas studies show nighttime warming up to ~0.72°C and Chinese work shows ~4.4% soil moisture loss near turbines.
Insects Clogged Turbines And Declined Rapidly
- Wind turbine blades accumulate insects, reducing turbine efficiency and potentially contributing to insect biomass decline.
- German engineers linked heavy insect buildup to a continent-scale drop in insect biomass and decreasing turbine performance.