Inscrutable Paracosm:
Turbine Clouds restructuring microclimates and lifes
Mrs. Hongjin Li
School of Architecture, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2EU, the United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)75 4458 3155
e-mail: hongjin@email.li
Abstract
The project explores the relationship between clouds and wind turbines in the Sitia region of eastern Crete, Greece, as wind turbines are an important force in cloud formation and reorganisation, and uses clouds as physical entities to understand the microclimate under cloud variability and its living and non-living elements from a cosmological perspective.
As of June 2024, a total of 149 wind turbines have been installed in six wind farms in the 1 Sitya Geopark, which generate airflow that extends for several kilometres downwind and creates turbulence that enhances the vertical mixing of air. These currents change the wind speed and direction. These currents change wind speed and direction, affecting convergence and divergence areas crucial for cloud formation. In addition, irregular hydrometeorology can also affect cloud dynamics, formation and development.
Changes in clouds affect factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, radiation, and light, which in turn affect the stability of microenvironment ecosystems and biodiversity. These impacts have the potential to have significant ecological impacts in the short and long term. The systematic adjustment of the environment is an unavoidable challenge to the ecosystems and archaeological sites within the Sitia Geopark.
The atmosphere itself as an architectural medium
Clouds are fluid architecture in the temporal order. It is the structure of wind, the sculpture of water, aerosols as material, and temperature as governor. Clouds show the trajectory of the atmosphere, and the atmosphere shows how clouds are shaped.
Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https:// 1 eletaen.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html? id=875b7ea838cf4fe6a937c4be90fa8edd&extent=2070592.4486%2C4027438.181%2C3489263.6936%2C5 196618.9657%2C102100
As a branch of meteorology, cloud physics is a separate physical discipline. The former term physics is borrowed from the Greek ‘φυσική’ natural science, while the latter is derived from ‘φύσις’, meaning origin, nature . So, to understand how clouds exist in the 2 atmospheric medium, one needs to take their fundamental property as nature as an entry point.
Usually, we understand clouds as visible polymers floating in the air when water vapour in the atmosphere liquefies into tiny water droplets or condenses into small ice crystals when cooled. Their mixing is called clouds. Whenever the sun shines on the Earth's surface, water evaporates to form water vapour, and once it is oversaturated with water vapour, water molecules gather around microscopic dust (condensation nuclei) in the air, and the resultant droplets or ice crystals scatter sunlight in all directions and gather to form clouds.
As a tangible result of the intertwining of nature and science, as well as the vast water cycle of the Earth, everything about clouds is manipulated by the presence of wind in its own unique way, which, through its speed and direction, influences the formation and distribution of clouds, is a direct manifestation of atmospheric motion, and is an important medium for energy transfer, indirectly regulating precipitation patterns and climate change. Therefore, we can think of it this way, under the joint action of wind and cloud, the earth has formed a complex and dynamic climate system, shaping the meteorological landscape of the earth.
Measured from the perspective of environmental architecture, the mechanism of wind and cloud interaction allows this process to form a compassionate atmospheric space. And architecture as understood by humans and human perception and will is not the basis for the existence of such a space, which exists free from the quantitative and disciplinary definitions of architecture as traditionally defined. Rather than standing in the centre of an anthropocentric position in an architectural discipline that has always been characterised by solidity, utility and aesthetics, Cloud Architecture goes beyond the inherent shaping and re-understands atmospheric architecture through perceptions outside of the Anthropocene that are characterised by non-malleability, fluidity and interdependence with the environment.
Stepping outside the universe of the Anthropocene is necessary because humans are not the only beings in the environment. It must be recognised that human presence already has an environmental impact on the environmental system that is greater than the environmental impact of the species that exists under the unit ‘1’.
The interdisciplinary study of clouds
Structuring the atmosphere can transcend traditional boundaries, allowing dynamic elements of abstract meteorological activity to be introduced into the practice of figurative architecture. The ripple effect of the non-visualisable presence in such environments tends to inscribe time more profoundly with physical, chemical, and biological attributes that can be used to understand and resolve environmental conflicts, problems, and oppression.
Environmental violence encapsulates the destructive effects of human activity on the environment, often manifested in the incremental and invisible destruction of ecosystems
Physics. (2024, July 8). In Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics
and communities. Rob Nixon's concept of 'slow violence' and Timothy Morton's theory of 'hyperobjects' provide a framework for understanding the vast, interconnected nature of climate change and environmental harm.
There are already precedents in the field of the built environment where atmospheric meteorological phenomena such as clouds and rain have become tangible signs of anthropogenic impacts and environmental damage. Whether they are recovered through scientific and technological means, or revealed through artistic expression, all approaches can find their way to flourishing.
Undoubtedly, the visual representation of complex environmental issues requires an indepth understanding of the data being presented and the ability of the audience to interpret it. Forensic Architecture uses interactive maps, animations, and detailed spatial reconstructions to provide clear and engaging narratives that make abstract environmental data concrete. This approach allows audiences to visualise the direct impacts of environmental violence, bridging the gap between scientific data and public perception. Cooking sections, on the other hand, uses immersive installations and multimedia elements to create a visceral experience of the environmental issue, and therefore promotes a deeper emotional and intellectual connection to the issue at hand by engaging multiple senses and going beyond traditional forms of data presentation.
In the same way that Forensic Architecture utilises architectural technology to investigate and document human rights abuses and environmental destruction, its project 'Cloud Research' exemplifies how atmospheric weather can be a medium for exposing environmental conflict, using clouds as witnesses to the 'crime scene' that is environmental conflict.
In the 'Cloud Study’ project, investigators fully investigated the use of chemical weapons in conflict zones. For example, by analysing satellite imagery, weather patterns and contaminant dispersal, as well as the dispersion patterns of chemical clouds, and how chlorine clouds create visible and less toxic manifestations of violence. The project reveals how taken-for-granted atmospheric phenomena can be traced back to specific acts of environmental oppression through building technology. The project reveals how taken-forgranted atmospheric phenomena can be traced through building technologies to specific acts of environmental oppression.
Cooking sections investigates the political and ecological impacts of food production and consumption, which are often intertwined with atmospheric conditions, where the atmosphere can be understood as almost total habitat for food. Its project climavore: tidal zone project explores how changing weather patterns affect coastal ecosystems and traditional farming practices.
For the project, the artists transformed the gallery space into an underwater environment using an immersive installation, Under the Sea, which utilised soundscapes, video projections and edible artefacts to simulate the sensory and ecological impacts of rising sea levels and changing precipitation patterns. Rain, as an atmospheric phenomenon, becomes a metaphor for environmental injustice, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change. The installation uses advanced visual presentation techniques that incorporate multimedia elements to create an immersive experience. By allowing the viewer to ‘enter’an environment affected by environmental violence, a bridge is built between abstract climate data and concrete lived experience. This approach not
only raises awareness but also promotes empathy and understanding of the complex interactions between atmospheric phenomena and environmental issues.
This type of in-depth interdisciplinary research and investigation explores the intersections between atmospheric weather and environmental violence, the profound and often surreal ways in which atmospheric phenomena influence our understanding of environmental conflict, and the understanding and dissection of environmental frameworks, as well as interpreting and measuring them through an architectural lens, allows for the exploration of the interplay between the tangible and the ephemeral, and the visible and the invisible, opening up New Approaches.
Clouds: the co-modelling of wind, water and environment
Cloud formation is a complex environmental process governed by thermodynamic and hydrodynamic principles that resemble the operations of the atmosphere in the construction of clouds3
In Sitia, on the north-eastern coast of Crete, Greece, the topography of the surrounding mountains shapes the dynamic interplay of wind and water . Also, it influences everything 4 about the atmospheric construction of clouds, as humid air from the Mediterranean rises up and produces adiabatic cooling on the slopes of the Dikti and Thripti mountains, making the clouds at Sitia appear ever more complex from the perspective of atmospheric structure . Overall, cloud cover over Sitia is shaped by a combination of Aeolian winds and 5 the island's unique topography, that is, by the environment. Seasonal variations also influence this process in sea surface temperature, which affects the water vapour content of the air mass6
Particularly worth mentioning is the fact that the winds passing over Sitia, mainly the strong northerly winds (the Meltemi), have a strong influence on local cloud production and the displacement of atmospheric architecture; especially in summer, the Meltemi winds are enhanced by the pressure gradient between the high-pressure systems over the Balkans and the low-pressure systems over the Middle East . When meltemi rolls over the Aegean 7
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. T. (2019). Atmospheric processes: Thermodynamics and hydrodynamics in 3 cloud formation. Journal of Meteorological Science, 75(3), 450-467. https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.4897
Georgiou, P., & Papadopoulos, S. (2020). Topographical influences on weather patterns in Eastern Crete. 4 Mediterranean Climate Journal, 52(2), 123-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/mcj.2020.52.2.123
Kalaitzidis, C., & Papanikolaou, E. (2021). Adiabatic cooling and cloud complexity in Mediterranean 5 regions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 126(7), 785-800. https://doi.org/10.1029/ jgrd126.7.785
Marinou, E., & Spyrou, C. (2018). Influence of Aeolian winds and seasonal changes on cloud cover in 6 Crete. Climatic Dynamics, 64(4), 945-960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-018-4352-6
Petrou, A., & Kallos, G. (2017). The impact of Meltemi winds on summer weather patterns in the Aegean 7 Sea region. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, 89(6), 673-686. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s00703-017-0567-3
Sea, it can lead to a rapid spreading or gathering of clouds depending on the atmospheric conditions, and it is fascinating to note that the interplay between regional wind pattern variations and local topography can be almost experimental for cloud formation and movement processes, with rare atmospheric architectural phenomena, such as cloud streets, vortices, and horseshoe shapes, etc., being the experimental result of this tuning8 In this way, wind can be understood as the engineer of clouds9
At the same time, the hydrological cycle is an important component of cloud dynamics over Sitia. Evaporation from the warm Mediterranean Sea provides the atmosphere with a constant supply of water vapour, which is carried away by the prevailing winds and cofinally condenses with aerosols to form clouds, whose microphysical properties (e.g., droplet size and concentration) are influenced by factors such as sea spray and atmospheric aerosols . With the help of satellite remote sensing techniques, we have 10 been able to analyse in detail the microphysical properties of clouds, which over the Mediterranean Sea usually contain a high concentration of salt particles, together with soil particles formed by weathering of geological strata wrapped by strong winds in Crete, which together form large-scale aerosols that act as condensation nuclei, and molecular particles in the atmospheric building blocks of clouds . This significantly impacts the cloud 11 albedo and radiation balance in the region . 12
There are significant seasonal variations in cloud cover and cloud types in Sitia. During the winter months, cyclonic activity increases with the formation of numerous stratiform clouds and frequent precipitation. In contrast, summer is characterised by more localised convective clouds and less rainfall. During the transitional seasons, spring and autumn, more variable atmospheric conditions often result in clouds that are only born under region-specific conditions . In addition, phenomena such as the Foehn effect of dry and 13 warm air descending from the leeward side of mountain ranges can lead to rapid cloud
8 and vortices. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 79(1), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-21-0034.1
Kourtidis, K., & Varotsos, C. (2022). Unique atmospheric phenomena over the Aegean Sea: Cloud streets
Douvis, K., & Papadakis, N. (2019). Wind dynamics and cloud engineering in Mediterranean climates.
9 Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 58(5), 1121-1135. https://doi.org/10.1175/jamc-d-19-0123.1
Nabat, P., Solmon, F., Mallet, M., Kokhanovsky, A. A., & Schaap, M. (2022). Aerosol-cloud interactions and 10 impact on regional climate. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23(6), 3779-3793. https://doi.org/10.5194/ acp-23-3779-2023
Räty, M., Backman, L., Lehtinen, K. E. J., & Kulmala, M. (2022). Dynamics of aerosol, humidity, and 11 clouds in air masses. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23(5), 10775-10794. https://doi.org/10.5194/ acp-23-10775-2023
Andersen, H., Christensen, M. W., & Stephens, G. L. (2023). Sensitivities of cloud radiative effects to
12 large-scale meteorological changes. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23(7), 10775-10794. https:// doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10775-2023
Räty, M., Backman, L., Lehtinen, K. E. J., & Kulmala, M. (2022). Dynamics of aerosol, humidity, and 13 clouds in air masses. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23(5), 10775-10794. https://doi.org/10.5194/ acp-23-3779-2023
dissipation and clear skies, thus adding another layer of complexity to cloud dynamics over Sitia . 14
Cloud patterns over Sitia also have a significant impact on the local climate and ecology, as clouds play a crucial role in regulating the energy balance at the local and wider regional scales due to their atmospheric architectural functions of reflecting solar radiation and trapping infrared heat; this in turn affects the temperature and precipitation patterns in the region, which in turn affects the local ecosystem15
Cloud as an Audience: Sitia Geopark and Energy Capital
With its unique geology and splendid cultural values, Sitia was included in the UNESCO World Geopark Network in 2015. However, this does not mean much protection, as its unique geographic location places it at the crossroads of disjointed geo-options and political imperatives, facing multiple and far-reaching challenges in the context of a fossilto-clean-energy transition that is in full swing globally. Profit-driven massive capital injections and energy infrastructure development have made maintaining Sitia Geopark's rich natural and cultural heritage a struggle.
Relying on the ‘no-cost’ production and exploitation of green energy, as well as its policydriven and very attractive advantages and market prospects, a large number of wind farms covet the few ancient hilly uplands in Sitia Geopark, promoting ‘clean energy’ as an inherent threat to Crete's natural and cultural heritage. ' itself as a beneficial project for Crete, and claiming that their presence would replace imported fuels, provide an environmentally friendly resource, and lead to more jobs and on-the-ground green capital investment.
The most recent mass boycott, which began in 2017 with Terna Energy's plans to build a €276.5 million ‘hybrid’ power plant in Crete, with Subproject A planning to add 17 new wind turbines in the Sitia Geopark's central Sitanos area, has drawn the attention of This has led to unanimous opposition from the Geopark officials and several communities, and has escalated into a court case. Let's assume that these 17 wind turbines are actually located in Sitanos, and in the case of clouds, the further alteration of the atmospheric structure will further affect the structure, formation, dispersion and migration of clouds, and spread over a wider environmental area.
14 Journal of Meteorological Science, 75(3), 450-467. https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.4897
Smith, J. D., & Brown, A. R. (2019). The Foehn effect and its impact on cloud formation and dissipation.
Quaas, J., & Luo, H. (2022). Cloud cover effects on surface albedo and regional climate. Nature 15 Communications, 12(1), 678-689. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23928-8
Fig 1: Map of the study area (Terna Energy).
But more worryingly, what Terna Energy has consistently undermined or avoided is any real analysis of what happens when wind turbines alter cloud cover. Because in fact, regionally, the change within the wider environment does not just mean the appearance of environmental displacement, it actually threatens the traditional social and cultural fabric of Eastern Crete, which is mainly used for agriculture and livestock, because important ecosystems in the environment will be displaced as a result, and the change in each link in each ecological chain of the system will be relevant to the rest, which includes not only food, clothing, shelter, and transport, but actually involves everything. Practically every aspect is involved.
Sitia's Energia Chronicles
In order to be responsible for the ecosystems where they are built, wind farms undergo ‘full’ environmental analyses before they are built. The environmental analysis usually says that if the wind turbine farm has an impact on the microclimate, it is only because it generates energy and therefore some heat, or it restricts the vegetation, or the area will be slightly warmer. And, usually, they only say that if the wind farm is very large . 16
But this kind of environmental analysis is very superficial because it doesn't take into account how the turbines themselves insert themselves into the atmospheric architecture, how they change the aggregation habits and the morphology of the clouds. the wind turbines pretty much dictate the cloud architecture in Sitia's current atmospheric environment . What I have done is to simulate the process of cloud formation and how it 17 changes when disturbed by turbines.
Armstrong, A., Ostle, N. J., & Whitaker, J. (2014). Wind farm and solar park effects on plant–soil carbon 16 cycling. Nature Climate Change, 4(3), 178-183. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2157
Akhtar, N., Brauch, J., & Ahrens, B. (2022). Impacts of accelerating deployment of offshore windfarms on 17 near-surface atmospheric conditions. Scientific Reports, 12, 22868. https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41598-022-22868-9
A cloud is an entity that exists, and when you do something to it, it reacts because it is coconstituted by the environment, produced by wind and water . The wind turbines break up 18 the clouds, which are all these aerosol structures wrapped in water molecules. Billions of little particles go flying around and then re-form higher or farther up into the clouds, so the rain that might have fallen in one area, might not fall in that area again. So turbines do have an impact on the environment because they are changing the microclimate19
After the 1950s, more efficient electric pumps appeared and, logically, Sitia, with its long history of harnessing the wind, went on to form the world's first wind farm - some 12,000 windmills are in operation, with a total installed power of more than 5MW. This is where capital activity began to penetrate. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the total capacity of modern wind farms has increased nine-fold, and wind energy has become the choice of governments because of its wide distribution and zero fuel costs. Since the adoption of the European Green Deal and the European Framework for Climate and Energy 2030 by the European Union, wind farms have been built on a large scale in Greece, and more and more wind farms in the Sitia region are taking on the title of green energy.
But the environment does not only belong to man - the eastern part of the island is an important habitat for birds of prey. Vultures are accustomed to circling high on thermal updrafts; they are scavengers and frequent sites with high livestock populations. It was found that wind farms warm the local climate, increase precipitation and updrafts, and fieldwork revealed that wind farms are often accompanied by sheep in the area. A number of factors support the idea that wind farms have a point-to-point attraction for vultures.
Motos, G., Kokkola, H., & Kulmala, M. (2023). Aerosol and dynamical contributions to cloud droplet 18 formation in the vicinity of wind farms. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23(7), 13941-13954. https:// doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13941-2023
Nandan, R., Satheesan, K., & Venkatesan, R. (2023). Impact of vertical wind on aerosol-cloud interaction 19 in wind farm regions. Atmospheric Research, 250, 105314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2023.105314
According to interviews, these wind farms, which make money at the expense of destroying ecosystems, do not provide any benefits to the local population. Neither the green energy nor the jobs that were claimed to be provided prior to construction have been demonstrated; instead, the electricity created by the wind farms is sent off-island. and local residents pay for the wind turbines; more and more birds are being harmed. As well as the field research it is clear that the cloud surrounding the wind farm is permanent and accompanied by frequent precipitation... This proves the adaptation of wind farms to local climate modelling.
The wind farm was constructed in the path of their migration, on a hilltop with a unique cave landscape and canyon topography within the GEOPARK, and such an environment is particularly suitable as a breeding site for birds. ’... . while electrocution was most prevalent as a recorded cause of mortality in Europe (47.2 %). Energy infrastructurerelated mortality (i.e., electrocution, power line collision, and wind-farm collision combined) accounted for 48.98 % of all mortalities across all species combined."
The metabolic rift is a theory of ecological crisis under the capitalist mode of production that sociologist John Bellamy Foster credits Marx with proposing. Citing Marx, Foster defines it as ‘an irreparable rift in the process of social metabolic interdependence.’
According to Foster, Marx theorised a rift in the metabolic interaction between humans and the rest of the natural world, which stems from capitalist agricultural production and the growing divide between urban and rural areas.
Metabolism is a general term for the series of ordered chemical reactions that occur in living organisms to sustain life. In nature, humans and non-humans alike rely on
Fig 2: A vulture, one of the EU's key protected birds, soars over the Zacros Gorge (Hongjin Li).
metabolism to sustain life, a cycle that occurs endlessly between individuals. In addition, entire ecosystems and the planet as a whole are in a metabolic cycle.
The environment and indigenous peoples are paying for geopolitical deals between regions. This seems to me to be a metabolic rift leading to ‘fertiliser trampling’, a kind of urban-on-rural exploitation that stands in opposition to environmental justice, typically. Because the environment is systemic, every subtle change in it brings about a chain reaction like a metabolic interaction - and indeed the whole planet is in a metabolic grand cycle.
Sitia produces 50% of Crete's energy and consumes only 2-3% of it. The unique topography and wind resources have made the exploitation of atmospheric resources here since the 20th century attractive to many energy companies.
Since the first wind turbine was built and commissioned in 1993, the number of wind farms and turbines in the Sitia region has continued to grow. As of July 2024, there are six wind farms within the boundaries of the Sitia Geopark, which includes not only the 149 wind turbines but also the storage and associated ancillary works of these energy facilities20
E-48 800kW 2012
at Anemoessa extension AD-00636 230
Vuvali-Magn. Muri-Platyvola Kryon
ENERCON E-40 500kW 1999
at the position Vouvali-Magn. Mouri-Platyvola Kryon AD-00038 54
Rados, K., & Stathopoulos, T. (2024). Global review on environmental impacts of onshore wind energy in 20 the field of tension between human societies and natural systems. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 95, 106473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2024.106473
Achladia, Sitia Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, Greece 65
Βόιλα, Community of Chandras, Lefki Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, 720 59, Greece
Χῶνος, Community of Palekastron, Itanos Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, 723 00, Greece
Community of Ziros, Lefki Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, Greece
)
Xirolimni I 8 NEG Micon NM600-150/43 2000 A/P at the Xirolimni I site AD-01172 62 PPC (ΔΕΗ)
Xirolimni II 9 A/P at the Xirolimni II site AD-01173 64
Xirolimni III 5 ENERCON E-40 600kW 2009 A/P at the Xirolimni III site AD-00282 171 PPC/DEME (
)
Community of Palekastron, Itanos Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, 723 00, Greece 55 Plakokeratia Mitatou (A/P Modi) 17 BONUS 600 kW MkIV 1998 A/P at the position Plakokeratia Mitatou (A/P Modi) AD-00080 46 H. ROKAS ABEE (
Piskopianes Piskolakkos 3 NEG Micon NM52/900 2005 A/P at the Piskopianes Piskolakkos position AD-00259 130
EDEKA WIND PARKS OF CRETE A.S. (
AgrilidaMitatou "Xirolimni" (A/P Mitato) 5 BONUS 600 kW MkIV 2003 A/P at Agrilida - Mitatou "Xirolimni" (A/P Mitato) AD-00163 115 H. ROKAS ABEE (Χ ΡΟΚΑΣ ΑΒΕΕ)
Plakokeratia (Modi II A/P) 8 2006 A/P at Plakokeratia (A/P Modi II) AD-00638 145
Table 1. Sitia: 149 wind turbines in 6 wind farms
Numerous scientific studies have shown that wind turbines create turbulence through the operation of their blades, which in turn affects cloud formation. Increased turbulence leads to the formation of more layered clouds, which are thinner but cover a wider area, and can alter local radiation balances and precipitation patterns, thereby affecting ecosystems and weather-dependent human activities21
Turbulence affects clouds in four main ways. First, turbulence enhances vertical mixing in the atmospheric boundary layer, promoting the rise of warmer, wetter air at the bottom and the descent of cooler air, thereby promoting water vapour condensation and cloud droplet formation. Second, turbulence increases the relative velocity and collision chances of cloud droplets, leading to rapid growth. Thirdly, atmospheric instability and vertical motion caused by turbulence contribute to water vapour condensation. Finally, the cooling effect caused by turbulence favours stratocumulus cloud formation at low altitudes . 22
These changes can have a knock-on effect on cloud formation, distribution, and thickness. For example, turbulence can cause air to decelerate downwind of a turbine, creating irregular airflow patterns that change wind speed and direction. This, in turn, affects humidity and temperature distributions. In addition, turbulence transports more water vapour to higher clouds through vertical mixing, making them thicker23
Several studies have provided empirical evidence in support of these theories. Akhtar has documented the formation of additional clouds over wind farms using large eddy simulation (LES) techniques, showing that turbulence enhanced by wind turbines promotes mixing of humidity and temperature-varying air masses, creating the necessary conditions for cloud formation . This effect varies depending on the layout of the wind 24 turbines, meteorological conditions, and terrain features.
21 near-surface atmospheric conditions. Scientific Reports, 12, 22868. https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41598-022-22868-9
Akhtar, N., Geyer, B., & Schrum, C. (2022). Impacts of accelerating deployment of offshore windfarms on
22 near-surface atmospheric conditions. Scientific Reports, 12, 22868. https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41598-022-22868-9
Akhtar, N., Geyer, B., & Schrum, C. (2022). Impacts of accelerating deployment of offshore windfarms on
23 from https://www.hereon.de/innovation_transfer/communication_media/news/107586/index.php.en
Akhtar, N., et al. (2022). Climate change: wind farms must be taken into account. Hereon News. Retrieved
Akhtar, N., et al. (2018). Climatic impacts of wind power. Request PDF. Retrieved from https:// 24 www.researchgate.net/publication/328085803_Climatic_Impacts_of_Wind_Power
Toplou, Community of Palekastron, Itanos Municipal Unit, Municipality of Sitia, Lasithi Regional Unit, Region of Crete, Greece 2 Toplou
3. (left) Photograph of the Horns Rev 1 offshore wind farm 12 February 2008 at around 10:10 UTC seen from the southeast. (right) Same as (left) but shortly after, seen from the south. (Christian Steiness)
Wind Turbines as Atmospheric Architects
To further explore how wind turbines can further impact on atmospheric architecture, the project summarised a large amount of literature and data.
Overall, this project suggests that the reason why clouds change with the presence of wind turbines is because the blades of wind turbines create turbulence as they move through the air, and increased turbulence leads to the formation of more clouds. Laminar clouds are usually thinner and cover a larger area than convective clouds; and the presence of large amounts of fog means that water vapour operates over and over again in the same area, a series of environmental changes brought about by wind imbalances, which can lead to changes in the local radiation balance, precipitation patterns, and so on, as the environment begins to change from the details onwards, affecting both ecosystems and human activities that depend on the weather.
Enhanced air mixing:
Turbulence effectively mixes air layers at different altitudes by enhancing vertical mixing within the atmospheric boundary layer. This mixing process causes warmer, wetter air at the bottom to rise and cooler air to fall, thus promoting water vapour condensation and cloud droplet formation. The presence of turbulence makes this mixing process more efficient, thus increasing the formation of stratiform clouds . 25
Collision and aggregation of cloud droplets:
Turbulence increases the relative velocity and chances of collision of cloud droplets and plays a positive role in the collision and aggregation of cloud droplets, which leads to rapid growth and formation of larger cloud droplets. This process directly affects the thickness and coverage of the cloud, making it easier for stratiform clouds to form and expand26
25
https://archive.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg1/273.htm. Accessed 3 July 2024.
Li, Xiang-Yu, et al. “Effect of Turbulence on Collisional Growth of Cloud Droplets.” Journal of the 26 Atmospheric Sciences, vol. 75, no. 10, Oct. 2018, pp. 3469–87, doi:10.1175/JAS-D-18-0081.1.
Fig
Promoting water vapour condensation:
Atmospheric instability and vertical motion caused by turbulence contribute to water vapour condensation. This motion makes it easier to saturate the air with water vapour, resulting in the formation of more cloud droplets. Stratus clouds form mainly within the boundary layer of the atmosphere and enhanced turbulence provides more favourable conditions for this process27
Cooling effect:
Turbulence-induced vertical mixing may also lead to localised cooling effects, especially in the lower atmosphere. This cooling effect contributes to the condensation of water vapour and thus increases cloud formation. Stratus clouds generally form at low altitudes and the cooling effect caused by turbulence is one of the favourable conditions for forming such clouds . 28
In order to further study the role of wind turbines in the atmospheric environment of the Sitia Geopark, and as supporting evidence for the inadequacy of the environmental analyses prior to the construction of the wind farms, the project fielded three of the wind farms with the most pronounced atmospheric activity. It collected photographs, video and audio material. In addition, with the help of local academics, further data collection was carried out in the area of the ‘Canyon of Death’, where 17 new wind turbines are planned.
「1」Achladia Wind Farm: Giant Weapons in the clouds
The Achladia wind farm is located southwest of Sitia's city centre. To date, 65 wind turbines have been commissioned in 1999, 2004, 2012, and 2014, making it the wind farm with the largest number of turbines in the Sitia Geopark.
Five types of wind turbines are currently in operation, including the ENERCON E-48 500kW, ENERCON E-40 800kW, ENERCON E-48 800kW, ENERCON E-44 900kW, and the NEG Micon NM750-175. These towering behemoths, with rotor diameters exceeding 40 metres, make Achladia the most influential wind farm in the Sitia Geopark in terms of time and space.
Zhu, Zeen, et al. “Observational Investigation of the Effect of Turbulence on Microphysics and
27 Precipitation in Warm Marine Boundary Layer Clouds.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 50, no. 10, May 2023, doi:10.1029/2022GL102578.
Zhu, Zeen, et al. “Observational Investigation of the Effect of Turbulence on Microphysics and
28 Precipitation in Warm Marine Boundary Layer Clouds.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 50, no. 10, May 2023, doi:10.1029/2022GL102578.
Images taken during the expedition show that the surface of the Achladia wind farm is not exposed to direct sunlight, which makes the operation of the turbines all the more eerie, as if the relentless dance of the turbine blades tamed the sun itself. At low altitudes close to the rotational path of the wind turbine blades, at low altitudes, the air is filled with persistent mists, rippling streaks of cloud and a steady drizzle, all of which characterise stratocumulus clouds as defined by the UK Met Office. These clouds have a low base height and appear uniformly grey, enveloping the sky like a celestial mist and hovering over the ground, cloaking the land in mystery.
The formation of these stratocumulus clouds is no accident. It is the result of the steady flow of moist air and the cooling effect produced by the wind turbines. The mixing of the air is enhanced by the constant movement of the turbines, and the moist atmosphere favours the formation of clouds, especially in the geographic conditions of northwest Sitia, near the sea.
This interaction promotes the formation of dense, persistent clouds that significantly reduce visibility around the wind farm. This phenomenon is so pronounced that it can be observed by boats on the Ionian Sea, and such clouds make the wind farm even more of a mechanical ghost wrapped in low-altitude cloud cover.
Fig 4: Drone footage of Achladia Wind Farm (Hongjin Li).
5. Photograph taken from north to south in the Ionian Sea by a fishing boat on the way back to Sitia from the island of Dionysiades, it is clear that the cloud cover over the Achladia wind farm is differentiated from the vertically distributed. (Hongjin Li)
「2」Ziros Wind Farm: Misty Ghosts
The Ziros Wind Farm is located in the hilly area of south-central Sitia Geopark. As of today, the facility has three operational wind turbines, commissioned in 1993 and 2009. The three wind turbines are the ENERCON E-33 330 kW, the ENERCON E-44 900 kW, and the TACKE TW500. The TACKE TW500 is the longest-running wind turbine in Sitia. Wrapped in fog, it looks like a restless spectre with its heavy rust and constant noise.
Fig
Fig 6: the TACKE TW500 of Ziros Wind Farm.(Hongjin Li)
During the hour-long expedition, the sun, like a forgotten deity, briefly but brilliantly penetrated the fog that shrouded the ground. However, low, dense clouds dominated by regional stratocumulus formed a layer of fog on the ground and, strong winds made the fog extremely mobile, severely reducing visibility. At the same time, high humidity near the ground, coupled with cooling air reaching the dew point, caused water vapour to condense into fog, which the turbines then
「3」Xirolimni
Farm: Wind-predatory Army
The Xirolimni Wind Farm is located in the hilly area of north-eastern Sitia. Here, the boundaries between sky and earth are blurred. The wind farm has 55 wind turbines, arranged from west to east, of the types BONUS 600 kW MkIV, NEG Micon
Fig 7: the fog in Ziros Wind Farm. (Hongjin Li)
Wind
NM600-150/43, ENERCON E-40 600 kW, NEG Micon NM52/900 and BONUS 600 kW MkIV, which were commissioned between 1998 and 2009. They were commissioned between 1998 and 2009.
During the expedition, stratocumulus clouds were identified by their uniform sky coverage and hazy attitude. Due to the continuous turbulence generated by the motion of the blades of a large number of evenly spaced wind turbines, mixing the moist air at the ground level with the dry air above, near-surface air becomes nearly saturated and forms fog and low clouds, while the cooling from the rotating blades
Fig 8: Neatly arranged turbines in the Xirolimni Wind Farm.(Hongjin Li)
further promotes condensation, creating the stratocumulus clouds that dominate the sky. And the prolonged cloud cover prevents sunlight from reaching the ground below.
It was learnt through interviews during the field trip that usually, when the target sites are still inhabited, they will force or forcibly remove the original inhabitants of the land proved to be ‘barren’ by scientific data through a variety of soft and hard tactics, and start building their money-making machines afterwards. And upon learning this, one cannot help but ask whether it is the territory itself that is ‘barren’ or whether it is the irreversible damage to the land caused by the establishment of the wind farms that should be recognised as the cause of the barrenness of the place, which of course is not only through microclimatic changes brought about by changes in the cloud cover, but also through a variety of other subliminal pathways.
Fig 9. Scorched remains of vegetation under a wind turbine.(Hongjin Li)
Fig 10. Scorched remains of vegetations beside wind farm.(Hongjin Li)
As of 2023, Greece has an installed wind power capacity of 5,226 MW, with plans to reach 9,000 MW by 2030 (Hellenic Wind Energy Association Wind Energy Statistics 2023). This ambitious strategy, especially installing turbines in uninhabited island areas, demonstrates Greece's intention to change cloud dynamics to make them denser and less predictable. The turbines are like modern-day alchemists, capable of conjuring clouds, weaving new microclimates and reshaping the structure of the landscape.
In the mysterious ‘Canyon of Death’ region of Thanos, a planned wind farm is shrouded in fog, eerie in the midst of empty villages and barren fields. These ruins are silent witnesses to the climatic conditions of the past, and their desolation is a testament to the transformative power of wind turbines. The premature blooms, likely triggered by sudden temperature fluctuations, are a vivid reminder that the long-term operation of wind turbines can dramatically impact local atmospheric patterns.
The Afterlife of Clouds: Microclimatic Changes and Ecological Impacts
As a UNESCO Geopark, Sitia's microclimates are shaped by a combination of rugged mountainous terrain, deep canyons, oceanic influences from the extensive coastal zone, and intertwined vegetation cover, creating a variety of microclimates, each of which varies greatly depending on factors such as altitude, vegetation, and proximity to bodies of water, which in turn have a significant impact on local ecosystems and human activities. These microclimates, in turn, have a significant impact on local ecosystems and human activities, weaving an intricate web of life and weather.
Clouds, the ethereal blanket that covers the sky, play a crucial role in shaping the microclimate structure. Higher altitudes in the mountains are cooler and more humid, while low-lying areas are relatively warm and dry. The Mediterranean's maritime climate provides ample water vapour, regulating temperatures along the coast and ensuring mild summers and mild winters. Vegetation acts as a green guard and plays a vital role in regulating the local microclimate. Through transpiration, vegetation increases the humidity of the air, while shading reduces the surface temperature. This emerald green interplay between plants and climate creates unique weather conditions, each a microcosm of a larger atmospheric tapestry.
Clouds regulate surface temperatures and precipitation patterns in an ever-changing dance. Increasing cloud cover reduces the amount of solar radiation received by the surface, which leads to a decrease in surface temperature. This effect is especially pronounced during the day, as clouds reflect some of the solar radiation back into space. Conversely, cloud cover also reduces the amount of heat lost from the surface, thereby reducing the diurnal temperature difference and increasing the surface temperature at night.
Changes in cloud cover have an equally profound effect on precipitation. An increase in cloud cover usually signals an increase in precipitation, which is a boon for vegetation growth and water supply in the Sitia Geopark. Conversely, a decrease in cloud cover can lead to a decrease in precipitation and an increased risk of drought, especially during the dry summer months. Changes in precipitation patterns directly affect local ecosystems, altering growing conditions for plants and habitats for animals.
Biological Paracosm: A Fluctuating Era
The Sitia Geopark is a biodiversity hotspot and a vivid testimony to nature's diversity. Microclimatic changes directly and profoundly impact the ecosystems of the Sitia Geopark. As temperatures and precipitation patterns change, so does the distribution of plants and animals.
In this enchanted landscape, even the gentlest whisper of change in cloud cover can set off a chain reaction of irreversible fluctuations, weaving a tale of ecological transformation. Studies reveal that subtle microclimatic changes can lead to shifts in the dominance of certain plant species, setting off a cascade of effects within the ecosystem. This delicate web is home to a vast array of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic or protected, including the rare and endangered Tordylium hirtocarpum and Silene pinetorum, which bloom only under these unique climatic conditions.
As cloud cover transforms, warmer temperatures may favor the proliferation of droughttolerant plants, pushing back the boundaries of those thriving in humid environments. These alterations disrupt the dynamic equilibrium of the ecosystem, impacting photosynthesis, transpiration, plant growth, and reproduction. The structure of plant populations, along with the insects and birds that depend on them, shifts like characters in an ever-changing play.
Adequate precipitation fosters the growth of herbaceous plants and shrubs, while reduced rainfall ushers in soil drought, threatening the survival of deep-rooted species. Microclimate changes also influence local microbial activity and soil chemistry, transforming the rate of organic matter decomposition, soil fertility, and the availability of plant nutrients. The ripple effects extend to animal populations, affecting herbivores and their natural predators, cascading through the food web like the notes of a symphony played in a minor key.
These subtle but profound changes reverberate through the ecological balance of the Sitia Geopark, where natural processes interact in a dance of fluctuating habitats, struggling to adapt to an equilibrium disrupted by the unseen hands of cloud cover shifts. The once harmonious balance is now a struggle, with each organism, whether plant, animal, or fungal, playing its part in a story of adaptation and survival.
Geological Paracosm: A Reconstructed Era
The Sitia Geopark is not only a sanctuary for all types of life, but also an important geological monument, displaying a variety of geological features and processes. Its ancient volcanic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks record the history of geological evolution from the Precambrian period to the present day. Sites such as the Zakros Fault and Topolu Gorge provide valuable information for the study of geological formations, rock formation, and crustal movements.
The Sitia Geopark's geological importance is reflected in both academic research and public education. Since its establishment, the public has gained a better understanding of geological sciences and an increased awareness of the need to protect the natural environment. At the same time, the Geopark attracts tourists, contributes to local economic development, and deepens the understanding of the Earth's geological heritage.
However, changes in microclimate due to shifts in cloud cover can seriously affect erosion and depositional processes within the Geopark. Increased cloud cover often leads to increased precipitation, which can exacerbate erosion. Heavy rainfall and increased precipitation can accelerate soil and rock erosion, leading to changes in the distribution of river and stream sediments. This will not only change the morphology of the Geopark but will also affect the preservation of its ecosystems and geological monuments.
In the enchanted landscape of the Sitia Geopark, where every rock tells a story, microclimatic changes can bring about an era of irreversible reconfiguration. As cloud cover shifts, it affects the delicate balance of temperature and humidity, accelerating the weathering of rocks. This weathering contributes to both physical and chemical transformations, altering the very essence of the geological strata. The rocks expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, their fissures widening like silent cries of distress. High humidity further promotes chemical weathering, dissolving and degrading the minerals that form the backbone of these ancient structures.
Moreover, microclimatic changes due to cloud modification can increase the risk of geological hazards, threatening the safety of local populations and infrastructure, and damaging important geological sites. Droughts can lead to soil cracking and a reduction in surface vegetation, increasing the risk of landslides and erosion, further destabilizing geological landscapes. Changes in precipitation patterns can also affect groundwater systems, altering the stability of karst landscapes, leading to cave collapses and altered underground watercourses.
The Sitia Geopark, with its rich tapestry of life and stone, is a testament to the Earth's dynamic processes. Yet, the subtle whispers of cloud shifts can set off a cascade of changes, transforming this geological sanctuary in profound and irreversible ways. The ancient rocks and hidden caves, once steadfast guardians of history, now face an uncertain future as the delicate balance of their world is increasingly disturbed.
Archaeological Paracosm: A Dissolution Era
Microclimatic changes profoundly and insidiously impact the conservation of archaeological sites. Like unseen spirits whispering through ancient ruins, fluctuations in temperature and humidity weave through time, accelerating the decomposition of organic materials such as wood and bone. These elements, as fragile as the dreams of forgotten civilizations, face existential threats that undermine their long-term preservation. In the spectral dance of moisture and air, increases in relative humidity become a corrosive kiss, hastening the rusting of metal artifacts. Meanwhile, the violent caprices of temperature swings conjure fractures and flakes in ceramics and stone, the very bones of our historical edifices.
In this shadowy interplay of climatic forces, cloud alteration emerges as a harbinger of an era of irreversible disintegration. Clouds, those celestial nomads, shape the microclimates that cradle our archaeological treasures. As their patterns shift with the whims of turbulence, they bring more extreme temperature variations and erratic humidity levels, intensifying the degradation of invaluable relics. Much like an enigmatic shroud, increased
cloud cover raises humidity, accelerating corrosion and the decomposition of organic materials . 29
The Sitia Geopark stands as a testament to human endurance, a treasure trove of archaeological resources with evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period. Here, ancient settlements, cemeteries, and artifacts from the Minoan, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods whisper tales of the region's historical and cultural development. The preservation and study of these sites are essential for unraveling the intricate tapestry of human interaction with the environment and safeguarding the Cretan cultural heritage.
Yet, these whispers risk being silenced forever without vigilant microclimate monitoring and protective measures—such as controlling site exposure and adapting the preservation environment. Climate change, including alterations in cloud patterns, portends an era where the very essence of these sites faces disintegration. With increased rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events, the relentless advance of climate change looms as a spectral force, threatening to erode these ancient narratives30
Nature Paracosm: A Degeneration Era
The Sitia Geopark is a sanctuary of diverse and unique ecosystems, is a tapestry woven from the threads of EU Birds Directive sites, Habitats Directive sites, lush palm forests, pristine WWF wetlands, ‘Natura 2000’ sites, and turtle nesting areas. This intricate mosaic not only shelters rare flora and fauna but also serves as a living laboratory for the study of geological evolution and ecosystem dynamics.
However, an ominous transformation looms as localised microclimatic changes wrought by shifting cloud cover threaten to unravel this delicate balance. The once-constant celestial dance of clouds now casts a fluctuating shadow, subtly yet inexorably altering the microclimate of these treasured environments. As clouds gather more frequently, they veil the land in a persistent mist, reducing solar radiation and leading to lower surface temperatures. This phenomenon, while seemingly benign, forms a near-permanent water mist that cloaks the region throughout the day, impairing the flight visibility of birds and disrupting their natural behavior and habitats. The ethereal mist, though enchanting, increases the peril of birds colliding with wind turbines, their flight paths obscured by the shifting veil of moisture.
The intrinsic value of these natural enclaves, exemplified by Habitats Directive sites and Natura 2000 areas, extends beyond their aesthetic and tourist allure. They are vital to the pursuit of ecological research and conservation. The diverse flora, including species like Pistacia lentiscus, Tsubaki (Juncus sp.), and Neem (Juncus sp.), defines the region's botanical character. Each discovery of a new species within this vibrant ecosystem adds to its scientific richness, making it a focal point for exploration and study. However, the
29 Technical Museum: An Assessment of Environmental and Exhibition Conditions. Materials, 16(12), 4239. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16124239
Molina, M. T., Cano, E., & Llorente, I. (2022). Corrosion Risk to Metal-Based Artefacts in a Scientific and
Hollesen, J. (2022, November 2). Climate change and the loss of archaeological sites and landscapes: a
30 global perspective. Cambridge University Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 365062765_Climate_change_and_the_loss_of_archaeological_sites_and_landscapes_a_global_perspective
increase in cloud cover and the resulting temperature and humidity fluctuations challenge the adaptive capacities of these plants and animals. Such climatic shifts may lead to altered ranges and growing seasons, with potentially detrimental effects on the growth and health of highly sensitive species.
Moreover, the transformation in precipitation patterns induced by changing cloud cover exacerbates the threat of erosion and geological instability, further disrupting the ecosystem equilibrium. These microenvironments, serving as havens for rare species, are increasingly vulnerable to degradation and anthropogenic pressures. The alterations in heat, humidity, evaporation rates, and soil moisture in wetlands can compromise the integrity of these ecosystems, affecting plant growth, species composition, and overall ecosystem health. Additionally, shifts in hydrology due to changing precipitation patterns threaten water availability and the dynamic balance of wetland ecosystems.
In this unfolding narrative, the microclimatic changes induced by varying cloud cover weave a tale of potential irreversible degradation. The cherished Sitia Geopark, with its unique biodiversity and scientific significance, stands at a precipice, its fate delicately balanced on the shifting patterns of the skies.
Clouds Paracosm: The Relative Truth Era
Paracosm explores clouds as a cosmology, attempting to dissect the parallel universes and their storylines underneath this universe; aims to provide a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of how wind turbines affect cloud dynamics and what this means for the ecosystems and archaeological sites of the Sitia Geopark; contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between renewable energy infrastructures and the dynamics of the environment, and thus seeks a theoretical framework for the seek a theoretical framework for a coexistence balance between modern technologies and ancient landscapes, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to renewable energy development in order to minimise ecological impacts and provide recommendations for future research and policy considerations whilst maximising environmental benefits; as well as providing valuable insights for policy makers, wind energy development stakeholders, environmental scientists and archaeologists.
As of July 2024, 57 wind and hybrid power stations will be under assessment in the Sitia Geopark, and 54 wind and hybrid power stations will have been granted production licences. This means that more wind turbines will be added to the construction of this atmospheric architecture, i.e. cloud making.
Fig 11. Geospatial Map for energy units & requests.(Regulatory Authority of Energy)
The cloud physics of the Era of Relative Truth asks questions of mankind in the form of atmospheric architecture, just as that apple happened to hit Newton on the head back in the day. When truly treating the environment as a habitat, mankind must acknowledge the finiteness of its own perceptions and the amazing unity of the entire environment. The butterfly effect exists in every tiny detail, accumulating quantity and waiting for qualitative change.
In the theory of relativity, time is the direction of the cone of light, and space is a collection of any other directions perpendicular to time, and time, space, and the cone of light are all straight; then in the case of an infinite radius, perhaps one can speak of time as a straight line (like the earth, where people on the ground do not feel the earth's circle). The time line is a line that can be drawn when humans lament the absurdity of reality, the sudden onslaught of heat, the torrential downpours, the unpredictability of the climate; or when they watch the ridiculous behaviour of ‘environmentalists’ on social media to emphasise their ‘claims and rights’ and send a message of Whether in mocking or pitying laughter, humanity is in a position of intersecting two straight lines with social media, the climate, and the environment, and with that, drift away is imminent.
Most physicists are, at the very least, deep thinkers who basically use binary dialectics with rigorous and delicate logic to build their own intellectual kingdom and contribute to the world. Wind farms, on the other hand, are lamentable as a medium of contribution because they are subordinate to politicians and capitalists born in the raucous monodiscursive information age, so whichever field now reflects the Matthew effect rather than dynamic equilibrium.
In today's world, we observe that progress changes just to show progress; but in fact, there is no right answer to the research we are doing now. Physics has progressed to the point where there are miraculously accurate standard models, and it becomes difficult for people to admit that it is not all absolute reality, but a human construct. It can be wise to read history; physics moves forward and history looks back so that there is an endless number of axes. Looking back at history we can easily see that purposefulness has made science less of a pure adventure and more of a race. And throughout the process of wind
companies applying for political protection, the scientific corroboration of wind research seems like a medium of ‘absolute correctness’, a get-out-of-jail-free card, an umbrella. And while there is a focus in the vision, there is also a blind spot. Science is based on a principle of applicability rather than truth, and in the case of building wind farms, this principle of applicability is energy-profitable from a human point of view, whereas it is not applicable from an environmental point of view.
The occlusion of the modern informatics medium and the survivor bias created by cognitive warfare gradually feed the human and environmental elements that are increasingly ‘dependent’ on wind farms. The singular availability of scientific data has convinced political and policy decision makers that it is financially favourable; the comprehensive ‘round-up’ of scientific statistics has convinced the general public that such a massive build-up of ‘clean energy’ would be a lifesaver from energy bondage; The unidirectional radical and time-consuming nature of scientific research has made interdisciplinarity a way to look beyond the lengths of each piece of the ‘barrel’ in today's society, to look around at the characteristics of each plank, and to focus on the actual way out of this ‘barrel’ itself, as well as the past and the future.
In addition, understanding clouds as part of the architecture of the atmosphere is important to enhance their impact. Not only will this raise the profile of the role of clouds in the environment, but it will also lead to the consideration of clouds as a key environmental factor to be included in environmental assessments prior to the construction of wind farms and the development of wind energy across the globe. Such an approach would help to balance the single voice of energy capital, thus ensuring that environmental assessments are comprehensive and scientifically sound. By including cloud cover as a key component of environmental assessment, the impacts of wind farms and wind energy development projects on local and global climate can be better predicted and managed. This measure not only enhances the environmental sustainability of projects, but also promotes a balance between environmental protection and economic development . 31
By means of scenario interpretation, the project moreover aims to evoke a long-terms selfconstruction of human society ‘drinking from the source’, focusing not only on the economic benefits but also considering its long-term impacts on the ecosystem. This integrated consideration contributes to the development of more sustainable strategies and policies. By drawing on the logic of management as it is practically applied in business management, the project seeks to steer the coordinated development of markets and capabilities, and in the process continuously adjusts its strategy to achieve a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy.
Especially in the context of anthropocentrism, the need to emphasise deep reflection and responsible action on environmental change in the process of resource acquisition, as well as deep reflection on the relationship between energy use and environmental change, and to advocate reflecting on the impact of human activities on the environment in the process, are profound and long-term thinking, which are particularly important in the context of the current global environmental change.
In the game of charades in the context of cosmology, some people say it is animals, and humans only think of animals. In fact, in the objective world where there is no answer, perhaps the answer to the riddle is not animals. So whether wind turbines are the human
The 6th Guangzhou Triennial. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2024, from http://www.gztriennial.org/
light of clean energy or the next scientific being to make ‘Oppenheimer’ commit suicide, time will shine an irreversible light on the answer at its moment of choice.
The Future is NOW: Atmospheric Buildings as Environmental Soundscapes
Fig 12: John M. Lee, “‘Silent Spring’ is Now Noisy Summer,” New York Times, 22 July 1962, 86.
'In centuries past, energy seemed to be an inexhaustible resource. Today, we know that the sustainable and efficient use of energy is vital to our future on earth.' While modern colonialism is still in the pseudo-death of the ‘hundred-footed worm that never dies’, history always strikingly overlaps, just as the rest of the poison still keeps on nibbling away for more with borders and new forms of territorial plunder. The obsession with territory, stemming from the unbeatable Seven Deadly Sins, sows more ambition. Possession, wanton arrangement, fading away after deterioration... Inferior behaviours similar to those of the last century are still absurdly and endlessly played out in this century.
Fig 13. Larger cloud disturbances are on the horizon, as the Ionian Sea is virtually dotted with wind turbines, driven by the European Wind Action Plan and the ‘No Man's Small Island’ wind power programme. (Regulatory Authority of Energy)
'Repentance is not just sorrow and confession, it is the turning around of wrong behavior towards right and just action. Repentance from sinful corporate behavior therefore requires systemic change. For many, the cost of that repentance may be too high.' Just like Soong Chan Rah‘s ’Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery‘ was mentioned. Because of the cost and the fear of even the slightest sacrifice, most arrogant pathetic souls raised in greenhouses will choose to ignore it, not realising that they themselves are part of the environment and that you can never really get away from it all, from the mess that your own actions have left behind.
The multiplicity of environmental meanings should be based on mutual respect between cognitive subjects. Just as the Venice Biennale brought to light the history of Brazilian resistance in a deafening way. Through the works of Glicéria Tupinambá, Olinda Tupinambá, Ziel Karapotó, and the Tupinambá community in the villages of Serra do Padeiro and Olivença in Bahia, maraca drums, ancestral domains, and trawl weaving are linked to traditional dress, and fired shell casings are used as opposites Combined in an installation that confronts the colonial process, it amplifies the voices of the indigenous people and the land, re-leads the people towards a spiritual entity on the other side of the world, and contemplates the relationship between the environment and the human being.
Fig 14. Ka'a Pûera: we are walking birds, National Pavilion of Brazil, Venice Biennale 2024.(Hongjin Li)
Surviving the ‘cognitive war’, energy consumers have been under all sorts of siege, even PUA - the whole world discourse was in a phase of hegemony, even monopoly, after the Second World War, and this cognitive war involves every aspect and penetrates every every crevice of life. Because we must recognise that energy is the driving force behind the functioning of society; energy is intangible, energy is political; energy is financial; energy is designed.
The environment is able to encapsulate the destructive impact of human activity on the environment, which is often silent, yet also carries the mission of manifesting the incremental and invisible destruction of ecosystems and communities by humans. Rob Nixon's notion of ‘slow violence’ and Timothy Morton's theory of ‘superobjects’ provide a a framework. The complexity of environmental violence is conveyed and traditional boundaries are crossed from a disciplinary perspective when the atmosphere serves as a medium for environmental construction and atmospheric meteorological phenomena such as clouds and rain become tangible signs of anthropogenic impacts and environmental damage. The ways in which atmospheric phenomena serve as markers of environmental violence, and the exploration of methods and techniques to enhance the visualisation of these issues, enables the integration of recent history, scientific cognition, and environmental architectural theory, providing a powerful framework for understanding the intricate relationship between atmospheric conditions and environmental harm. In addition, the interdisciplinary scope of the analysis facilitates the inclusion of more diverse studies to get a full picture of the pulse of the matter and to achieve a multifaceted coupling of contradictions.
There is an early precedent for atmospheric architecture to give voice to the environment. In 2022, Forensic Architecture, which uses architectural technology to investigate and document human rights violations and environmental damage, established the project Cloud Research to focus on how atmospheric weather can be a medium for exposing environmental conflicts. In the project ‘Cloud Study’, Forensic Architecture investigators investigated the use of chemical weapons in conflict zones, where clouds of chlorine gas create visible and toxic manifestations of violence. By analysing satellite imagery, weather patterns and the dispersal of pollutants, the project reveals how these atmospheric phenomena can be traced back to specific acts of environmental oppression. Chemical cloud dispersion patterns were meticulously mapped using Geographic Information Systems and 3D modelling, providing compelling visual evidence of environmental violence. The ‘Chlorine Attacks in Douma’ project combines witness testimonies, video footage and meteorological data to reconstruct the diffusion of chlorine gas and demonstrate its impact on civilians. Through detailed animations and interactive maps, the visual presentation of these findings effectively communicates the invisible violence caused by wind and clouds.
The environmental sound of atmospheric buildings is also not only reflected in scientific and technical visualisations, but can be artistic and immersive. COOKING SECTIONS, a duo specialising in investigating the political and ecological impacts of food production and consumption, with their project ‘CLIMAVORE: Tidal Zones’ explored how changing weather patterns affect coastal ecosystems and traditional farming practices, as these impacts are often intertwined with atmospheric conditions. by designing the immersive installation ‘Under the Sea’ which transformed the gallery space into an underwater environment, using soundscapes, video projections and edible artefacts to simulate the sensory and ecological impacts of sea level rise and changing precipitation patterns. They intend to show how rain, as an atmospheric phenomenon, is a metaphor for environmental injustice and highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change. The installation uses advanced visual presentation techniques that integrate multimedia elements to create an immersive experience.COOKING SECTIONS bridges the gap between abstract climate data and concrete lived experience, allowing viewers to ‘enter’ environments affected by environmental violence, an approach that not only raises awareness, but also promotes empathy and understanding of the complex interplay between atmospheric phenomena and environmental issues.
Atmospheric architecture as a medium in the environment provides a powerful lens through which to study and communicate the environment, and atmospheric phenomena influence the profound and often surreal ways in which we understand environmental conflict. This interplay between the tangible and the ephemeral, the visible and the invisible, opens up new avenues for exploring and addressing pressing contemporary environmental challenges.
The sound volume of the environment is built in the mountains of previous generations who have gone before, and when the environment is forced to receive such a value system and commodify and valorise everything around it, but the national material and historical context is unable to listen to the dictates of the ancestors, a series of magical realities are being played out in an earthly theatre that is more absurd than a novel.
Unsustainable ‘sustainable’ urbanisation and its manifestations will cause environmental change in this world through the bloated and redundant concepts of land management by government and capital, forcing a change in the impacts of irresistible patterns of migration and settlement of indigenous populations that carry a deep dependence on the
environment itself, whereby the revolt of environmental violence and the climate justice of the The intensification of environmental violence resistance and climate justice will establish a dichotomy in human society that will be difficult to eradicate, and the force majeure of struggle will be the best way to erase the imprint of civilisation in this human era as the greed under the mask of the good intentions of the energy transition is accompanied by the iterative, cyclical post-development and de-growth of social media, which masks the impacts of the resource extraction of the ecosystems after the colonisation of capital, and allows the indigenous struggles to grow more and more intense.