Climate Action
5 Common Myths About Renewable Energy: Time to Set the Record Straight
February 18, 2025
Artificial Intelligence has become a powerful tool in shaping narratives, and renewable energy critics have wasted no time using it to spread misinformation. One of their latest tactics involves an AI-generated image of a dead whale positioned near wind turbines, aimed at spreading the deception that wind turbines are triggering whale deaths. It spreads fear in opposition to renewable energy. These false claims are just one example of the sneaky strategies used to disrupt the renewable energy transition. Beware of these five renewable energy myths!
1. They Kill Whales
Despite recent claims that offshore wind turbines “kill whales,” there is no credible evidence linking offshore wind energy generation to whale deaths. However, studies show that rising ocean acidity, driven by carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, poses a significant threat to marine life, including whales. In fact, warmer oceans from human induced climate change, entanglement in fishing gear, and vessel strikes in feeding zones are the greatest threats to these large mammals.
So, if people care about whales they should go after rogue fishing vessels dumping plastic nets, demand better sea surveillance so vessels miss whales and reduce carbon dioxide emissions!
2. Under the Turbines: Wind Farm or Bird Cemetery?
It’s no myth–wind turbines do kill birds, with an estimated 140,000 to 679,000 fatalities annually in the U.S. Yet these numbers pale in comparison to other hazards: power lines kill between 12 and 64 million birds annually, building collisions claim 100 million to 1 billion, and house cats top the list, killing 1.3 to 4.0 billion birds every year.
While wind turbines do contribute to bird deaths, wind farms actively implement strict measures to minimize collisions, including conducting environmental assessments to avoid migratory routes and painting one turbine blade black to improve the visibility of the turbines to birds.
So while there are solutions to bird deaths, nobody seems to be suggesting banning cats, which are responsible for far more bird deaths. It seems unfair, then, that turbines are getting all the blame.
3. Solar Panels Cause Wildfires
As residential and commercial solar installation growth rises, so too has the fear of solar panel fires. However, fewer than 1% of solar systems catch fire. Although rare, there is a risk of course with any electrical technology. Poor quality equipment, faulty installation practices, and irregular maintenance can create conditions that lead to fires. Prioritizing investments in high-quality clean energy infrastructure and comprehensive training can ensure safe and reliable growth for all renewable energy systems.
Climate change, driven by burning fossil fuels, intensifies wildfires by creating hotter temperatures and drier conditions, which are ideal for fires to ignite and spread quickly. As global temperatures rise, regions experience longer droughts, reducing moisture in vegetation and making it more flammable.
Warmer air also increases evaporation, drying out forests, grasslands, and other natural landscapes. These extreme conditions allow fires to start more easily and burn more intensely. In short, climate change creates the perfect environment for wildfires to grow bigger and more destructive. Not solar panels.
4. Too Expensive
Renewable energy is actually cheaper than fossil fuels, and with plummeting manufacturing cost, affordable clean energy is more accessible than ever. Today, solar and wind provide the cheapest power for 67% of the world. Since 2010, the cost of onshore wind has fallen by 68%, while offshore wind cost has dropped by 60%.
Transitioning to a green economy doesn’t just mean affordable clean energy, it’s also an incredible opportunity for economic growth. An estimated 14 million new jobs could be created in the clean energy space. From installation and maintenance to innovation and research, the renewable energy industry has the potential to drive a new era of economic prosperity while tackling climate change.
5. Renewable Energy Could Never Replace Fossil Fuels
Climate change skeptics may argue that replacing fossil fuels is impossible, but the reality is solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy have already proven their ability to replace fossil fuels worldwide. For example, Burlington, Virginia has achieved 100% renewable electricity by prioritizing investments in hydropower and wind energy. Making it one of the first out of 40 cities to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
New technology can often feel intimidating, especially when we consider how our history has been shaped by humanity’s evolving energy needs— from fire to coal, to steam, to fossil fuels but the transition to renewable energy is about building a future where everyone has access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable power. Embracing innovation and investing in clean energy infrastructure will ensure a healthier future for the whales, for the birds, for the Earth.
Fossil fuel interests have consistently encouraged misinformation to protect their profits, but the reality is that renewable energy is cheaper, more reliable, and more environmentally friendly than ever before. With the continued growth of renewables, the myth of fossil fuels as the future energy source is rapidly fading.
Shocked by these facts? Now it’s time to act! Use your voice and join us by signing our petition calling for triple renewable energy generation by 2030. Consider planning your very own Earth Action Day and be part of the solution. How? Engage with your local elected officials, like town mayors, in meaningful dialogue about everything related to the environment. For 2025 EARTHDAY.ORG designated the global Earth Day theme as Our Power, Our Planet, backing renewable energy. Together, we can power a cleaner, greener future!
