<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/six-ways-to-improve-ecosystem-outcomes-of-renewable-energy/>
"The world is faced with the twin threat of climate change and biodiversity
loss, each reinforcing the other. Changes to the climate such as rainfall
patterns and rising average temperatures are contributing to the biodiversity
crisis along with habitat loss, resource extraction, invasive species and
pollution. In turn, carbon sinks provided by healthy ecosystems are threatened
as the biodiversity crisis worsens, leading to negative climate impacts.
Australia is attempting a rapid energy transition to address climate change
with a goal of 82% renewable energy by 2030. As renewable energy infrastructure
is rolled out, a passionate debate is emerging about its impacts. According to
the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, the energy transition
requires around 10,000 kilometres of transmission lines and 60 million solar
panels.
The large-scale deployment of renewable energy is essential to address the
biodiversity crisis by mitigating climate change, but it can also have negative
ecosystem impacts. These include the environmental impacts of mining for
critical minerals, the loss of habitat in places where solar and wind farms are
built, bird and bat strikes by wind turbines, and pollution from the
landfilling of renewable technologies.
Renewable energy has lower environmental impacts than fossil fuels, but the
scale at which renewable energy is being deployed carries significant risks to
already stressed and threatened ecosystems.
WWF Australia commissioned the Institute for Sustainable Futures to contribute
to an informed debate on renewable energy and ecosystems by undertaking a
global literature review to collate evidence on impacts and approaches to move
towards ‘best’ or ‘better’ practice.
While there is a body of studies evaluating various environmental impacts of
renewable energy technologies and offering mitigating approaches, the
information remains uneven and robust evidence is often lacking to make
definitive statements.
Nonetheless, our review found a range of ways impacts are being reduced from
strategic planning through to the use of smart technology."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
