It's vital to develop and expand existing renewable energy
technologies if we are to create a low carbon future. However, to be truly sustainable, energy needs to take biodiversity into
consideration.
Every year, millions of migratory birds collide with energe pylons and other structures - being electrocuted and often killed as a result. In addition, many renewable energy projects destroy or degrade wildlife habitats - for example building wind farms on peat bogs is unsustainable as it destroys peat, which is a valuable carbon sink, which means they store carbon and once they are destroyed they release this carbon into the atmosphere making climate change worse.
All phases of energy development heeds to take into account the conservation of migratory birds. so that the
benefits of sustainable energy can be realized without harming migratory birds and their habitats.
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The UK General Election brought disappointment for many as we now face another five years of Conservative rule, this time without the benefit of a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, who for all their perceived weaknesses are at least the most environmentally friendly of the mainstream political parties. You can read the Guardian newspaper's opinion on what the newly elected government might mean for the environment here.
The Green Party won over 1.1 million votes and won only one seat (compared to the Scottish National Party which polled 1.45 million votes and gained 56 seats). Which is particularly frustrating for those of us who would like to see the environment given more political priority.
7 comments:
These elections have been a real blow lately..to the environment, people and wildlife. I wish it was not so!
Happy Friday, have a great weekend!
Your election and governing process is so different than ours and hard to understand. But I think it makes sense to you all!
I think it is great to work hard for and vote for and support candidates who will work for the environment, but I also think it is up to all to join the various environmental special interest groups and be vocal and active - politicians - whatever ilk - listen to the people sooner or later.
Hi Rabbits Guy - mutual incomprehension then, the US political system has always confused me! I agree with you, it is up to special interest groups to persuade politicians and we have lots of active campaigning organisations here, wjho work on many levels. However in recent years British politicians have often proved impervious to persuasion on environmental issues.
Hi Juliet,
Have been thinking in a micro way about bird migration or lack thereof. The dark eyed juncoes (aka snowbirds) overwinter here in the mid-Atlantic then wing it back to Canada to breed. Some did not go back this year. Hummm...
Hi Maurren, some of our birds are chainging their migratory patterns too. Blackcaps used to be purely a summer visitor, but now we have them in winter too. The interesting thing is that our summer blackcaps still migrate south for the winter, but our winter blackcaps are Scandanavian birds that used to winter further south,
How the votes are counted in the US is frustrating, too. In House of Representatives elections, Democrats nationally outpoll Republicans by over 1,000,000 votes, but the Republicans hold a majority in the House. And as for the Senate: Two to each state, regardless of population. 41 votes can block any proposed legislation, and the 41 Senators will usually represent under a third of the country's population.
Hi Bill, yes it's frustrating isn't it?
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