But he also finds the curious double standards of wind turbine supporters rather puzzling.
Ruining the countryside in Malaysia so we can generate electricity with approximately a 25% smaller CO2 footprint than by using traditional hydrocarbons is, essentially stupid, and is, to be fair, usually opposed by those who are pro-wind.
But really, Palm Oil is no more (or less) stupid than ruining the country side in (say) Dorset so we can generate intermittent and pitifully uneconomic wind energy.
If you consider things like:
-The 200 tons of concrete in the base,
-The mandatory spinning reserve (that is to cover no wind, not breakdown - that's extra),
-Cycling up and down the CCGT backup so the turbines can actually do something once in a while,
The amount of CO2 saved by wind generation is actually less than that saved by stupidly inefficient Palm Oil generation.
The little spat going on between Greeny palmoil advocates and Greeny windpower advocates can at times reach a state of high farce. It is after all, a serious clash of dogma, and bizarre fashion statements. A bit like communism versus fascism but without the manifestos and military parades. Or a clash of religious dogmas, but without the incense and hymns.
Although comedic it is also a tragedy for the poor bloody common folk who have to put up this narrow minded hyprocisy, whether they are in Malaysia or Dorset.
Of course with both of these mad schemes it is likely that after a full audit of the gains and the losses the only profit will be to the land owners and operators.
The unthinking supporters of both schemes ensure that the mountain of gold being drained from the common folk in both Maylasia and Dorset gets ever higher. Meanwhile the countryside (either rainforest or Purbeck farmland) goes to hell.
So in finality here are two picture of different groups of Nimbys, one in Malaysia and one in Dorset.
While they may be culturally different they are both fighting for the same cause - protecting their local heritage and countryside. Both groups are often despised and villified, referred to as Nimbys by those keen to spoil the environment for their own gain, either political or financial. But the Nimby label, whether worn in Malaysia or Dorset should be worn with pride.
After all, if you don't look after your own back yard, how can you ever help to look after anyone else's?
All Billothewisp can say to both groups is: Good luck, and keep up the good fight.
One day this lunatic obsession with Palm Oil and Wind Turbines will abate.
But it won't be because it is finally realised by their supporters that both schemes are next to hopeless in preventing pollution.
It will be because the next fashionable "cause" will come along and displace them.
Hi Ho Hum
