ABC often receives questions and comments regarding wind energy development and its impacts on birds and other wildlife. In this blog post — the final in a three-part series — Michael Hutchins, Director of ABC's Bird-Smart Wind Energy Campaign, answers questions about how readers and individuals can support bird-smart wind energy solutions.
First post in this series: Understanding the Threat Wind Energy Poses to Birds. | Second post in this series: Bird-Smart Wind Energy Solutions. (See a full list of references at the end of the post.)
First, understand that although climate change is real and must be addressed, we should not be rushing to deploy solutions that damage our continent's ecologically and economically important birds and bats and their habitats. Beyond their inherent value, these animals perform critical ecological services — such as pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal — that are worth billions of dollars to national economies and enhance the quality of all our lives9.
Second, make efforts to keep informed.
Individuals can help support bird-smart wind energy solutions by learning more about local wind energy development and engaging with industry representatives, local elected officials, and neighbors and community members. Photo by esbibeldijk / Shutterstock
Speak up to wind energy companies and regulators.
Rally the support of others.
And finally, forge alliances and educate others.
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Absolutely. There are a variety of ways that we could be addressing climate change without having to build tens of thousands of new wind turbines and hundreds of miles of new power lines and towers.
First and foremost, to slow climate change, it's essential that we stop rampant deforestation and protect our remaining ecosystems, such as tropical rainforest, coastal mangrove forests and wetlands2, 5, 6 and their biodiversity1.
Second, we should push for improved energy efficiency and conservation4. And third, we should probably be eating less meat. This is obviously a personal choice, but it's a fact that conventionally raised domestic livestock is a major contributor to greenhouse gasses3.
Taking action to support bird-smart wind energy solutions can help combat climate change, but so can energy conservation, habitat restoration, and more. Photo by Djomas / Shutterstock
Finally, perhaps the best alternative to large-scale commercial wind and solar energy — both of which can be bad for birds when poorly placed in the environment8 — is distributed solar energy on our already-built environment. We have the technology to put solar panels on our roads, in our windows, and on existing structures, such as buildings and parking lots. Keeping energy production local will also reduce the need to use power lines and towers to transport the energy produced across the country.
The biggest challenge to this approach will be the power and utility companies themselves. As the technology allows for more energy independence, power and utility companies will fight this change as it limits their ability to profit.
Fully one-third of our native bird species are in need of concerted conservation action in order to ensure their future. Taking action to support bird-smart wind energy solutions can help. Photo by Niek Goossen / Shutterstock
Our irreplaceable birds and bats should not be “collateral damage” in our fight against climate change. Our birds are already in serious trouble, with fully one-third of our native species currently in need of concerted conservation action in order to ensure their future7. We could be doing so much better.
Editor's note: Learn more about Bird-Smart wind energy. | Read the first post in this series here: Understanding the Threat Wind Energy Poses to Birds. | Read the second post here: Bird-Smart Wind Energy Solutions.
Michael Hutchins, Director of American Bird Conservancy's Bird-Smart Wind Energy Campaign, earned his Ph.D. in animal behavior at the University of Washington. Prior to ABC, Michael was Director/William Conway Endowed Chair, Department of Conservation and Science, at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for 15 years, and Executive Director/CEO at The Wildlife Society for seven years. He has authored over 220 articles and books on various topics in wildlife science, management, and conservation, and has traveled to over 30 countries to pursue his passion for conservation.