Conflict between Wildlife and Wind Farms

Of course we shouldn't build any big wind farms in areas where endangered wildlife lives. Just like we shouldn't be building houses or roads in such areas. I don't see anything negative with new guidelines for wind farms, as long as they are reasonable. I don't have much knowledge about the threats wind farms poses for bats. But when it comes to birds the reality is that wind farms are only responsible for a tiny number of bird deaths. According to studies power lines, cars, ordinary windows and cats poses a much bigger threat to birds than wind farms.

Indeed windfarms can represent a potential hazard to birds and other wild life, if improperly sited and planned. However, we have to, as Simon's comment below points out, put this in the proper context. Many other things we take for granted kill thousands of birds and other endangered wildlife (often quite legally) a year an nobody looks at them twice. Notably we need to consider the fact that the biggest single threat to most endangered species is climate change. For every 1'C temperature change the various habitat zones for certain species of plants and animals can move up 100 to 300 miles north or south. In short, even the modest 2'C scenario we're now likely facing could cause a mass extinction of certain bird species. On this point I'm with the UK RSPB (Royal society for the Protection of Birds). Their policy towards windfarms is that they are supportive of wind energy in general (due to climate change), but they reserve the right to object to individual wind energy projects that they fear will have an adverse impact on endangered avian species. Also, I would note that, counter intuitively, large wind turbines are less of a risk to birds and other flying creatures as small wind turbines (as the radius of a turbine increases in a given constant wind speed the rpm decreases which also decreased the probability of a bird being in the same space at the same time as the turbine blade). So actually the bigger the turbines the better for the wildlife! 

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Wildlife is more important!

Nobody is suggesting that wildlife isn't important! If climate change happens we'll be likely looking at many bird species going extinct (as I noted even a 2'C change is more than enough to wipe out certain species). And what about all the wildlife killed by oil slicks, or tailings pond run off from coal or uranium mines? Unless you're advocating that we abandon all technology and go back to the trees some form of energy production will always be necessary. On balance, properly sited renewables are the least worst option. The devil is in the detail of individual project proposals.

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I think wildlife is important, but we need to find a way to do green energy effectively.  There has to be a balance between the two.

According to me We have to have wildlife.

I agree with all the comments below. Thanks for sharing nice information with us.

Thanks for sharing such an interesting information. I think this is really a very nice post.

Interesting read! Wind energy is definitely going to play a great role in our nation's future. Here at Parisleaf we're all about producing environmentally friendly web and print media made using 100% wind-power. For every order we receive we plant 10 trees. We're trying to do our part to make the future a little greener. Head on over to www.parisleaf.com and take a look at what we're all about. And keep up the good work on the blog! We'll keep checking back for updates.

Could a frame perhaps be put around the turbine, such as with a ventilator?

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