Wildlife Society Reviews Wind Energy Impacts
Since 1937, The Wildlife Society in Maryland has been working hard to “enhance the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society.” In keeping with their mission, TWS recently released a 50-page report detailing the direct and indirect effects of modern wind power production on wildlife.
“While wind power offers an array of benefits to developed and developing countries, wind energy is not environmentally neutral,” commented Dr. Ed Arnett, Conservation Scientist with Bat Conservation International and chair of the technical review committee. “There are both direct and indirect consequences of wind energy facilities, including the often overlooked impacts resulting from loss of habitat for wildlife due to construction, the footprint of the facility, and increased human access.”
The report isn’t all gloom and doom however, actually offering key information for planners and developers of wind farms in relation to natural animal habitats. The Wildlife Society’s report is clearly aimed at helping progress sustainable energy initiatives without sacraficing the planet itself. “It would represent a step backward to develop ‘green energy’ to the detriment of wildlife and their habitats, especially when we profess to be in an age of environmental awareness and action,” said Dr. Michael Hutchins, Executive Director of TWS.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:41 am
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