BIRD-WIND CLASH?
Members of the group Karoo Blue Cranes claim that SA’s “reckless renewable energy program” impacts negatively on birds and makes us a pariah country.
BIRD-WIND CLASH?
Members of the group Karoo Blue Cranes claim that SA’s “reckless renewable energy program” impacts negatively on birds and makes us a pariah country.
Rhodes University avian expert, Prof Adrian Craig, points out that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ windfarms. One notorious site in the USA is on a hawk migration route.
Our local Waainek wind farm site should not be problematic, but Prof Craig cautioned that this could change if the number of turbines increases. Prof Craig stated that birds such as cranes and bustards tend to be the most vulnerable to wind turbine casualties.
The reason for this is that they tend to look down when they are flying, as well as scanning behind for potential aerial predators, so the visual field in front is often the poorest. This increases their risk of colliding with the blades of a wind turbine and other structures such as power lines.
It is unfortunate that there is often a strong push for development and financial gain that overrides ecological concerns, and the recommendations of EIA studies are simply ignored – even if done competently.
There are also ‘rogue’ EIA companies that are willing to “minimise impacts so that the report favours the developer”. Prof Craig explained that the Endangered Wildlife Trust is supposed to monitor both before and after wind-farm sites have been developed.
But it must be difficult for them to keep pace with the huge increase in wind farm proposals. What is the solution? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
BirdLife South Africa provides useful guidelines and reminds us to consider other renewable energy options. See www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/terrestrial-bird-conservation/birds-and-renewable-energy
DUMPERS DESTROY!
Residents are getting sick of littering and dumping in our otherwise pretty city. It’s time for us to join forces in an aggressive anti-littering campaign. We need to sensitise people to cause and effect – if you dump, you destroy. Dumpers destroy environmental health.
Dumpers destroy community health. Dumpers destroy property values. Local residents who have been trying to improve their neighbourhoods say the solution is to close garden skip sites and convert these into urban parks.
Instead of dumping, everyone should abide by the law and dispose of their household rubbish by putting it in bags on the street on collection day. It's that simple.
As for garden refuse, why not make a compost heap at home? It takes very little space. If you have a really large bakkie-load, just take it 3km further to the compost-making company in the industrial area.
The company is called Complete Compost and is run by Jeanine Rado. Why not take a drive out there and chat to Jeanine? Come on people, don't you want to live in a beautiful town?
KEEP IT WILD!
WildREACH, a student group established in 2011, is calling for applicants within Rhodes University to take up task team positions. This exciting, progressive and active project aims to promote social and environmental sustainability through wildlife conservation.
They have to date guided 640 Makana pupils through nature conservation areas in the Eastern Cape. To join the task team, contact wildreachsignup1@gmail.com – the deadline is 18 September 2015.
More info: www.facebook.com/wildreachproject and wildreachght.wordpress.com [537 words] Find us Online: www.grocotts.co.za/environews
