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| Photo credit: Mac Miller |
We obviously cannot continue to use fossil fuels; according to climatologist Dr. Michael Mann, "If we continue with business as usual fossil fuel emission in the decades ahead...the resulting warming and change in climate will inflict far more dangerous and potentially irreversible impacts on us and the planet" (Romm, 2014). Those damages include impacts on our "food, water, land, national security, or the health of the ecosystems we so critically depend on" (Romm, 2014). Further, the scale at which fossil fuel destruction operates on is much larger than any alternative energy source. Ultimately, it's the constant and excessive burning of fossil fuels that has caused many countries to experience desertification, droughts, floods, increased rate of severe weather events, ocean acidification, sea level rise, glacier melting, increased rate of extinction, and much more. Alternative energy sources generally only impact local environments, so countries halfway across the world will not feel the effects of another country's wind farms, for example. At the end of the day, experts say that the world needs to cut its carbon emissions by 60-80% by 2050 just to stabilize carbon dioxide concentrations at 450 ppm - and that's still a 13% increase from our current ppm - and both values are above the levels that many experts consider "safe" (Hassel). Implementing alternative energy is one of the surest ways to reduce carbon emissions, so forgoing the use of alternative energy sources and their local conservation problems in favor of fossil fuel burning and the global destruction that comes with it is irresponsible, and certainly out of the question.
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| Projected temperature increases under three carbon emission scenarios: low, middle, and high. Note that even with low emissions we will see large temperature increases over the next 100 years. Photo credit: Projected Warming For Three Emission Scenarios |
How Do We Reconcile the Costs of Alternative Energy With the Benefits?
It's clear that outside of just monetary and intellectual investments, there are wildlife and biodiversity costs to alternative energy sources. However, it's important to note that for many places in the world, alternative energy sources are in their infancy, and in their efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, energy companies and governments haven't taken the precautionary measures to ensure that wildlife will not be negatively influenced (whether that is due to urgency or negligence is dependent on where in the world you're looking at). As new studies/information about wildlife impacts emerge into the public sphere, however, many energy companies and governments are sincerely trying to address the problems they face.
Many of the solutions presented come in the form of technological innovations for improving existing alternative energy infrastructures; innovations are surfacing all the time that help planning, machinery, and implementation strategies become more environmentally and wildlife-friendly. Some examples include the use of taller turbines with shorter rotors for wind farms to help mitigate the effects of collisions between turbines and birds/bats, state-of-the-art turbines for hydroelectric dams that use less blades so as to reduce fish mortality, and the use of already degraded landscapes for solar fields or wind farms to limit the effects on wildlife. Conservationists are also tirelessly working to fight wildlife-unfriendly projects so negative effects never get a chance to happen in the first place. To read more about conservation efforts in regards to alternative energy, follow the links below.
Many of the solutions presented come in the form of technological innovations for improving existing alternative energy infrastructures; innovations are surfacing all the time that help planning, machinery, and implementation strategies become more environmentally and wildlife-friendly. Some examples include the use of taller turbines with shorter rotors for wind farms to help mitigate the effects of collisions between turbines and birds/bats, state-of-the-art turbines for hydroelectric dams that use less blades so as to reduce fish mortality, and the use of already degraded landscapes for solar fields or wind farms to limit the effects on wildlife. Conservationists are also tirelessly working to fight wildlife-unfriendly projects so negative effects never get a chance to happen in the first place. To read more about conservation efforts in regards to alternative energy, follow the links below.
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| Photo credit: University Rolls Out Efforts to Save Energy and Reduce Costs |
Variation in bat and bird fatalities at wind energy facilities
Wildlife-Friendly Renewable Energy
Defenders of Wildlife: Renewable Energy 101
Conservation Groups Show Support for CA Solar Projects
Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation: New Challenges, New Solutions
Unfortunately, it is important to remember that it is nearly impossible to create alternative energies that have zero impacts on the landscape or the inhabiting wildlife, because we will always need land or other resources to make them work - thereby taking them from the land or wildlife that would otherwise need and use them. This means that the ultimate goal isn't necessarily to eliminate wildlife impacts (though that would be ideal), it is to minimize them. We also have to remember that the impacts of alternative energy sources will always be much smaller than the effects of climate change, which was caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
What About Other Types of Alternative Energy?
This website only focused on solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biofuel power. However, nuclear, ocean and tidal, and geothermal energy also fall under the umbrella of alternative or renewable energy, and the fact that they are not addressed on this site does not mean that they don't have wildlife impacts. To find out more about the wildlife impacts of these energy types, explore the links below.
Nuclear:
Radiation and Wildlife: The Impact on Animals
Wildlife Threatened by Fukushima Radiation
Ocean and Tidal:
Renewable energy from the ocean
Is there a conflict between cetacean conservation and marine renewable-energy developments?
Potential Impacts of Hydrokinetic and Wave Energy: Conversion Technologies on Aquatic Environments
Geothermal:
Effects of geothermal effluents on aquatic ecosystems
Environmental Impact of Geothermic Utilization
Geothermal Effects on Stream Benthos
Reducing Energy Consumption
Personal Ways to Use Less Energy
100 Ways to Save Energy at Home
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon Footprint Reduction
Simple Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Unfortunately, it is important to remember that it is nearly impossible to create alternative energies that have zero impacts on the landscape or the inhabiting wildlife, because we will always need land or other resources to make them work - thereby taking them from the land or wildlife that would otherwise need and use them. This means that the ultimate goal isn't necessarily to eliminate wildlife impacts (though that would be ideal), it is to minimize them. We also have to remember that the impacts of alternative energy sources will always be much smaller than the effects of climate change, which was caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
What About Other Types of Alternative Energy?
This website only focused on solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biofuel power. However, nuclear, ocean and tidal, and geothermal energy also fall under the umbrella of alternative or renewable energy, and the fact that they are not addressed on this site does not mean that they don't have wildlife impacts. To find out more about the wildlife impacts of these energy types, explore the links below.
Nuclear:
Radiation and Wildlife: The Impact on Animals
Wildlife Threatened by Fukushima Radiation
Ocean and Tidal:
Renewable energy from the ocean
Is there a conflict between cetacean conservation and marine renewable-energy developments?
Potential Impacts of Hydrokinetic and Wave Energy: Conversion Technologies on Aquatic Environments
Geothermal:
Effects of geothermal effluents on aquatic ecosystems
Environmental Impact of Geothermic Utilization
Geothermal Effects on Stream Benthos
Again, any type of energy consumption is going to have some kind of effect on the land and wildlife, because even the smallest possible footprint is still a footprint. Therefore, the best way for any individual to improve their biodiversity karma is to consume less energy, thereby reducing the need to create new energy facilities in response to increased energy demand. Whether that's by riding a bike to work instead of driving or trying to buy local food, every little bit helps. For tips and tricks to reduce your personal energy consumption, follow the links below.
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| Photo credit: Oskarsdottir, 2012 |
100 Ways to Save Energy at Home
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon Footprint Reduction
Simple Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
One of the first steps to limiting energy use and reducing your carbon footprint is simply being aware of your usage. Sites like myfootprint.org can help you determine your ecological footprint and will tell you how your consumption is divided (food, materials and goods, housing, etc.), for more targeted personal management.
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