MODULE 3: STEP INTO NATURE

PRACTICING AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON WIND ENERGY

As discussed in the previous module, Module 2: Power Through Participation, in this programme, collaboration provides the flexibility needed to navigate the complex economic, social, and environmental challenges of wind energy projects.For meaningful collaboration, it is crucial to include a variety of perspectives. This module centers the perspective of other-than-human entities. More specifically, on living beings such as animals, plants, and trees which experience (and engage with or are affected by) the wind energy transition in their own way (sometimes we use the term more-than-humans, referring to both human and other-than-human entities). This module invites you to shift from a human-centered perspective and step into nature, expanding your understanding of wind energy.

What is this module about?
  • The importance of listening to diverse perspectives and experiences in the wind energy transition, such as an artist creating wind-powered moving creatures, a marine policy officer, an impact assessment modeller (podcast episode 2), and  
  • a program manager advocating for democratic offshore wind development in Europe, a warden protecting the coastal breeding grounds of the Little Tern near an offshore wind farm, and the experiences of a Little Tern, as represented by an artist (podcast episode 3).
  • Individual transformation through translating the insights into actionable practices.
  • Leading a role-play workshop to promote collective learning among project team members.
What will you learn?
 
  • practice deep listening by being open to diverse perspectives on the wind energy transition (study material 1 & 2);
  • reflect on your own assumptions and roles in the wind energy transition, considering the viewpoints of others you have listened to (worksheet 1: individual reflection);
  • facilitate a role-play in which the participants train several “democracy muscles” (worksheet 2: script for group work).
How much time do you need to complete this module?
  • Study material 1 (podcast episode 2): 40 minutes.
  • Study material 2 (podcast episode 3): 30 minutes
  • Worksheet 1 (individual reflection): 60 minutes. 
  • Worksheet 2 (role play workshop): 90 minutes, excluding the preparation time for the facilitation.

Study material

The suggested study material is intended to be completed individually. The study material is also suitable for sharing with others, for example, if you would like the invitees to prepare something for the group work suggested in this module.

study material 1: Listen to podcast episode 2 ‘Marrying lines and blobs

Listen to the second episode of the podcast series Whoosh, where you are taken on an exploration of what it means to accelerate wind energy while considering social and environmental dimensions. Hear from a marine policy officer dedicated to protecting bird life and fostering an understanding of how the sea – as a complex ecosystem – is affected by the acceleration of offshore wind. You will also listen to a modeller working to improve impact assessment methods to better align with the complex and uncertain reality of accelerating wind energy. She explains how models may be wrong, but still useful when applied with the right attitude.

Study material 2: Listen to podcast episode 3 ‘The true value of not being disturbed’
Listen to the third episode of the podcast series Whoosh, where you are taken on a walk through a coastal nature reserve in Kent. The local NGO campaigner and reserve’s park ranger talk about how the bay is home to seals and rare migratory birds, like the Little Tern, and discuss efforts to reduce disturbances from offshore wind energy development for animal species. The episode also includes a sensory exploration of the Little Tern, as represented by an artist. Finally, the conversation broadens to a transition perspective on accelerating offshore wind and the importance of involving a diversity stakeholders. 
Reflect and act

The following two worksheets invite you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings and apply them to your daily work as a leader in the wind energy transition. Complete the worksheets after reviewing the study material for this module, which includes listening to the first episode of this programme. The suggested reflection exercise (worksheet 1) is intended to be completed individually. The group work (worksheet 2) is designed for team members working on the same wind energy project(s), but with little adaptation, it is also suitable for participants across different projects. If you wish to set the scene before using one of these worksheets, you can find suggestions in the general outline of this program.

References
References Module 1

Throop, W. & Mayberry, M. (2017). Leadership for the Sustainability Transition. Business and Society Review, 122, 221-250.

Campos, I., Wittmayer, J.M., Hielscher, S., Oliveira, F., Alves, F.M., Progscha, S. & Wientjes, A. (2025). Just participation in wind energy: The role of social innovations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 209, 1-18.

Demokrati Fitness. (2024). Democracy Fitness. https://demokratifitness.dk/en/

Lind, G. (2006). Effective Moral Education: The Konstanz Method of Dilemma Discussion. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 3, 189-196.

Collaborators
Collaborators

Sabine Hielscher, Christina Madrid, Wouter Mulders, Derk Loorbach, Teun Strikkers, and Stéphanie van der Raad.

Special thanks to: Theo Jansen, Samuel Wrobel, Nina Jones, Louis Grover, Sheng Wen Lo, Katinka Wijsman and Tessa de Geus.