Wind Turbines Kill a Few Birds 991
Guppy06 writes "The Houston Chronicle has an article about how a 7000-turbine windfarm in Altamont Pass, California (the world's largest collection) has killed an estimated 22,000 birds during the past 20 years or so of operation, 'including hundreds of golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels and other raptors(.)' There are efforts to keep the operators from renewing their permit until they take measures to protect bird populations. To put things in perspective the article goes on to point out that the Exxon Valdez spill is estimated to have killed around 250,000, while the whole story can just about be summed up by one quote by a biologist: 'When you turn on your lights you kill something, no matter what the source of electricity.'" Killing 3-4 birds per day doesn't seem too bad. It's a shame that larger, rarer birds are getting killed, but... How many birds would die from the acid rain that a coal power plant would cause?
If those birds are so smart (Score:1, Funny)
Eh... Big deal... (Score:5, Funny)
I wish we could take this tact with the human population. I say, take the warning labels off of everything and let the chips fall where they may.
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Tux (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Solar? (Score:5, Funny)
Just imagine a microwave installation receiving power from space, flapping birds would enter one side, and a KFC would set up shop on the other (yes, I know such frying would require a high intensity area).
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Ever see a flock of birds stuck to a giant fan?
Warning: Driving Kills Innocent Animals and Bugs (Score:2, Funny)
Thank you.
Easy solution! (Score:5, Funny)
Oh wait, we're saving the BIRDS not the TURBINES.. damn damn damn!
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Oh sure, condemn them to a slow and painful death by cancer instead of quickly and cleanly in the aero-electric abattoir.
KFG
Sure, but that'll cause more problems (Score:2, Funny)
If you put screens around the turbines, that'll just be an attractive nusiance, and you'll get sued by people who try sticking their hands or heads into the fans. We're better off with turbines that are only dangerous to birds.
Re:Solution ? Duh.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I think it has something to do with location (Score:5, Funny)
Nah, it's probably the guy that hung the birdfeeders behind the turbine....
Re:Three people a day? (Score:2, Funny)
And move.
Duh! Simple solution (Score:1, Funny)
Note to self: (Score:2, Funny)
Greenpeace volunteers... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Men step on insects too (Score:1, Funny)
http://www.vhemt.org/ [vhemt.org]
options (Score:3, Funny)
True then again (Score:3, Funny)
Answer: One if it goes down the wrong way.
Solution (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
KFG
nothing is free (Score:3, Funny)
Plants need the photon energy of sunlight in order to make food for themselves. When you install solar panels you're STEALING FROM PLANTS.
Furthermore, you're sucking heat energy and turning it into electricity. widespread use of efficient solar panels could cause local cooling to the detriment of local ecosystems. YOUR FREEZING THE BABY ANIMALS.
All of you freaking solar energy pundits are SUCKING THE SUN DRY. OUR SUN WILL RUN OUT SOMEDAY - WHY SPEED THAT UP?
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
As a lovely woodpecker who's currently undergoing treatment in a small padded cage for psychological disorders following a close encounter with a huge wind turbine several years ago, I resent that remark.
Love,
Woody.
Re:Solar? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
BTM
you don't BELIEVE in global warming? (Score:1, Funny)
Personally, I don't believe in gravity.
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Chicken Wire would be useless!!!!!
Re:Solution ? (Score:2, Funny)
Oh, great idea (Score:5, Funny)
On the plus side, we'd have to get Godzilla and Mothra to team up against the scarecrow, so, it wouldn't be a complete loss.
Re:Solution ? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Solution ? (Score:2, Funny)
Remember, extreme beliefs are the norm here, but only in one direction.
How does this compare to McDonalds ? (Score:5, Funny)
(and it has a nice picture)
Re:Solution ? Duh.. (Score:5, Funny)
However, between 7000 turbines and 22,000 birds, thats not exactly a bad statistic. More birds are killed by lots of other things, such as aircraft, cars, and yes, even your humble domestic cat.
I can vouch for that. I got two pheasants and a sparrow this year with one Toyota. Multiply 3 by the the number of Toyotas on the road, and one can easily see that wind farms and turbines are not the problem. Save the birds! Ban imported cars!
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Lots of my friends are environmentalists!
I'm an environmentalist!
A bad one!
Re:Solution ? (Score:5, Funny)
Make the propeller blades out of NERF! Also put cameras on top of each pole. You can then sell the video to America's Funniest Home Videos and make some money to help pay for the Nerf conversion. The birds get a chance to learn this way! And it's fun for the whole family. *bonk* hahah look at the sillie birdie *baf* almost got him that time!