Global warming is the biggest environmental threat in our lifetime, and Audubon California has documented the potential losses to birds in California if steps aren’t taken to reduce global greenhouse gases. But while we strongly support the conversion to renewable sources of energy, our organization is also working to ensure that the development of wind, solar and biomass energy is conducted in a responsible manner that minimizes impacts on birds and their habitats.

“We recognize that the development of renewable energy is one of the most important and complex issues we face in conservation today,” said Dan Taylor, director of public policy for Audubon California. “We’re convinced that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about this, and we intend to involve ourselves in these important decisions so that the interests of birds are represented.”

Audubon California supports wind and solar power as a clean alternative energy source that reduces the threat of global warming as long as these new facilities are planned, sited and operated to minimize negative impacts on bird and wildlife populations.

Moreover, our position is that new, concentrated renewable energy facilities should be sited on or close to:

• Areas already converted from native vegetation for agriculture or industry
• Already developed desert urban areas
• Major existing transmission corridors
• Landscapes that minimize impact on Audubon Important Bird areas and special status plants.
• Locations that minimize the need to build/enlarge roads and do not require new transmission lines
• Locations that are not within view of national or state parks, monuments or other special places

Audubon California will work closely with our chapters and conservation partners to share information, comment and work to ensure the best possible development strategies for renewables that achieve a balance encouraging development of renewable facilities while protecting special places and ecosystems.

“The risks to birds from the improper planning of renewable energy are well documented,” said Taylor. “While we all want to move away from fossil fuels, it is vital that we speak up now so that our conversion to renewable energy doesn’t unnecessarily come at the expense of California’s birds.”

(photo is of Altamont Pass in the San Francisco Bay area)