Friday, September 27, 2013

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Turbines

Bird Groups and Wind Turbines Getting Along

Written by Philip Proefrock on 26/09/13 


It has been widely assumed for years that two groups that don't get along are wind power advocates and bird protection groups. But, in a move that shows how far things have come, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is looking at installing a wind turbine at its headquarters. The Society has applied to install a 100 meter (328 foot) tower for a wind turbine near its headquarters in Bedfordshire.

This is not a complete reversal on the part of the RSPB, and there have been cases where the RSPB has objected to wind farms. But it shows how wrong the old stereotype is. The Society's perspective is that "renewable energy is an essential tool in the fight against climate change, which poses the largest threat to the long-term survival of birds and wildlife." Furthermore, they believe that, "so long as proper due diligence is conducted and potential wildlife impacts mitigated, ... developing wind power is a smart move."

More advanced understanding of bird migration patterns and habits has helped with the placement of wind farms in places where bird fatalaties can be reduced. Other technologies that monitor bats and birds, and intermittent disabling of wind farms during migration periods also help to further reduce the numbers of animals killed by wind turbines. And, in terms of numbers killed, buildings still remain a far greater threat to birds than wind turbines.

From RSPB's website:

Why does the RSPB support renewable energy?
We support the use of renewable energy as an essential part of the fight to tackle climate change, which is considered the biggest threat to global biodiversity. Science suggests that one third of land based species could, by 2050, be committed to eventual extinction without extensive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We fully support the Government’s target to source 15 per cent of energy from renewables by 2020 and the Scottish Government’s target to obtain 100 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2020.

As one of the UK's leading environmental organisations, it is important that we play a pro-active role in leading action towards meeting national carbon reduction targets – particularly given our concern about the threat of climate change to birds and wildlife.

We favour a broad mix of renewables, including solar, wind, and marine power, as long as they are sensitively sited to avoid impacts on wildlife and the wider environment.

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