Ornithologist criticises conservation charity’s call for increase in the number of land-based turbines
Bird expert hits out over RSPB’s call for more windfarms
Published:
The RSPB’s call for onshore windfarm expansion to counter climate change is misguided when our priorities should be tackling overpopulation and overuse of the planet’s resources, said a leading bird expert and former member of the charity.
Ornithologist Roy Dennis, the charity’s north of Scotland officer, responded yesterday to the RSPB’s enthusiasm for a report published by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, a governmental think-tank. Inspired by the dossier, the conservation organisation called for a large increase in the number of land-based windparks, concluding that many more could be built “without damaging wildlife.” It highlighted climate change as a threat to many species, and believes renewable energy projects necessary to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
The report claimed the UK was lagging behind other European nations when wind turbines provided just 2% of its energy needs in 2007.
Mr Dennis said: “The report makes a lot of sense, in that government needs firm guidelines. But Scotland is way ahead of England and the real problem is the lack of windfarms in England.
“To suggest climate change is so important in relation to species extinction that we’ve got to rush into all these things is worrying. It should be used alongside offshore projects and far better use of small schemes for local communities.”
Mr Dennis believes the biggest threat to species is “more to do with man’s overuse of the environment and the population increase.” He said: “Tackling climate change will benefit species in the longer term. Trying to stop the destruction of the environment has to be dealt with quickly.”
Similarly, conservation charity the John Muir Trust yesterday urged the government to tackle climate change by further investment in energy efficiency rather than an increase in “costly and environmentally damaging” onshore wind power.
Bob Graham, chairman of Highlands Against Windfarms, said: “Germany and Denmark have seen no reduction in their CO emissions despite having more wind turbines per head of population than any other European country. Farcically, the Scottish Government admits to not having a clue if any CO has been saved by the 15 years of windfarm development in Scotland.
“The RSPB, have for years, been feathering their nest with a cosy deal with Scottish and Southern Energy in which they get paid for every customer they sign up to so-called ‘green energy’. This latest announcement is particularly cynical as they are more than aware that thousands of birds are killed every year around the globe by windfarms.”
