Plan Tucson 2045 and the Environmental Footprint of 5G
An article by Lisa Smith, PhD, EMRS published in Natural Awakenings Tuscan addresses the environmental impact of 5G
Tucson’s 5G cell tower deployment is well underway, with nearly 500 towers installed as of March 2023. These towers emit microwave radiation 24/7 several blocks out and are placed in the public right-of-way, close to homes, schools and workplaces in order to connect with a burgeoning list of “smart” devices within.
The Environmental Footprint of 5G
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) attempted to eliminate 5G cell towers from environmental review, saying that their deployment will “leave little to no environmental footprint”. However, this declaration was struck down in United Keetoowah v. FCC, a court case brought by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Indian tribes.
The potential environmental impacts of the stealth deployment of 5G cell towers include:
• Increased carbon-based electricity use. Each 5G cell tower uses electricity from carbon-based sources 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Part of this electricity is for antenna cooling, especially relevant in our hot summer climate.
• Damage to tree canopies. Trees’ absorption of carbon dioxide reduces global warming. Trees cool neighborhoods, reducing energy needs. Yet over time, microwave radiation chips away at these functions, altering tree growth, thinning leaf cell walls and causing adverse biochemical changes.
• Harm to Sonoran Desert animals and plants. Microwave radiation emitted by cell tower antennas (and linked smart electric meters) affects all living beings at the cellular level, including animals and plants. It is a leading cause of disappearing pollinators.
• Alteration of surface features. Alterations of floodplains, watersheds and forests (including Saguaro forests) following installation of cell towers damage habitats. Horizontal structures on the land surface destroy valued natural viewsheds.
Read more at Plan Tucson 2045 and the Environmental Footprint of 5G
