The Green–Green Dilemma: When Renewable Energy Harms Nature

Quynh-Yen Thi Nguyen
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan

“All the birds clap loudly and cheerfully because the emission reduction goal is accomplished. The Earth will become beautiful again like it used to be, and the pond will have plenty of fish.”

—“GHG Emissions”; Wild Wise Weird (2024)

The transition to renewable energy is a crucial step in combating climate change, yet it presents unexpected ecological challenges. Wind and solar power, while essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, require substantial land and airspace, which can disrupt ecosystems and endanger wildlife. This has given rise to the “green–green dilemma”—where renewable energy expansion (green energy) can conflict with biodiversity conservation (green environment) [1]. Addressing this dilemma is critical to ensuring that climate action does not come at the cost of ecological integrity.

Wind turbines, especially those installed in sensitive habitats, pose significant risks to avian and bat populations. Raptors and migratory birds are particularly vulnerable due to their flight patterns, with golden eagles and griffon vultures among the species experiencing high mortality risks from turbine collisions [2,3]. A global synthesis of 1,180 multiple mortality events identified wind turbine collisions as the leading cause of mass bat fatalities since the early 2000s [4]. For instance, wind turbines cause around 500,000 bat fatalities annually in the U.S. alone [1].


Illustration.

Solar farms, while not directly lethal to wildlife, contribute to habitat fragmentation and displacement. Utility-scale solar developments often require large land areas, leading to the destruction of critical habitats. In Brazil, a significant proportion of solar and wind farms are planned in high-priority biodiversity conservation areas, threatening native species [5]. Additionally, some solar farms act as ecological traps, where birds and insects mistake reflective panels for water bodies, leading to fatal interactions [6].

Beyond direct impacts, wind and solar installations also contribute to indirect ecosystem disruptions. The construction of wind farms often necessitates road building, soil excavation, and power line installations, which can lead to long-term habitat degradation and reduced connectivity for wildlife [7]. The increasing expansion of wind energy into more vegetated and complex landscapes further exacerbates these concerns [8].

The eco-surplus-culture-inspired framework can help mitigate the biodiversity impacts of renewable energy expansion and even enhance ecosystem resilience [9,10]. This approach advocates for energy infrastructure development that enhances ecological integrity rather than depleting it. Several key strategies can help reconcile renewable energy growth with biodiversity conservation:

• Strategic Site Selection: Installing solar farms on degraded lands, abandoned agricultural fields, or brownfields instead of intact ecosystems can minimize habitat destruction. Similarly, offshore wind farms should avoid sensitive marine areas to prevent disruption of seabird and marine mammal populations.
• Wildlife-Friendly Design: Implementing radar-based shutoff systems for wind turbines during peak migration seasons can reduce avian and bat mortality. Additionally, turbine curtailment strategies—where turbines slow or stop under specific conditions—have proven effective in lowering wildlife fatalities.
• Ecological Monitoring and Adaptive Management: Renewable energy projects should incorporate long-term biodiversity monitoring and adaptive strategies to mitigate unforeseen ecological effects. Governments and industry leaders must enforce strict environmental impact assessments (EIAs) before approving new projects.
• Biodiversity-Enhancing Solar Farms: Incorporating pollinator-friendly vegetation around solar installations can transform them into habitats for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial species. Studies have shown that solar farms with native plantings support greater insect and bird diversity compared to conventional solar sites.

The transition to renewable energy must align with broader sustainability goals that include biodiversity conservation. It is possible to develop renewable energy infrastructure while simultaneously protecting and enhancing ecosystems. By prioritizing smart site selection, wildlife-friendly technology, and ecological restoration, we can ensure that climate solutions do not come at the expense of nature.

As global energy demand continues to rise, integrating biodiversity considerations into renewable energy policies will be critical. Governments, researchers, and energy developers must work together to build an energy future that is both carbon-neutral and ecologically sound. Only by harmonizing climate action with biodiversity conservation can we achieve true sustainability in the fight against climate change.

References

[1] Voigt CC, et al. (2024). Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation. BioScience, 74(4), 240-252. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae023

[2] Smallwood KS, Thelander C. (2008). Bird mortality in the Altamont Pass wind resource area, California. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(1), 215-223. https://doi.org/10.2193/2007-032

[3] Vulture Conservation Foundation. (2021). A wind farm in Navarre kills one vulture every three days. https://4vultures.org/blog/a-wind-farm-in-navarre-kills-one-vulture-every-three-days/

[4] O’Shea TJ, et al.. (2016). Multiple mortality events in bats: a global review. Mammal Review, 46(3), 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12064

[5] Neri M, et al. (2019). Green versus green? Adverting potential conflicts between wind power generation and biodiversity conservation in Brazil. Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation, 17(3), 131-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecon.2019.08.004

[6] Kagan RA, et al. (2014). Avian mortality at solar energy facilities in southern California: a preliminary analysis. National Fish Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, 28, 1-28.

[7] Reusch C, et al. (2022). Coastal onshore wind turbines lead to habitat loss for bats in Northern Germany. Journal of Environmental Management, 310, 114715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114715

[8] Schöll EM, Nopp-Mayr U. (2021). Impact of wind power plants on mammalian and avian wildlife species in shrub-and woodlands. Biological Conservation, 256, 109037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109037

[9] Vuong QH, Nguyen MH. (2024). Better economics for the Earth: A lesson from quantum and information theories. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D98L5K44/

[10] Vuong QH, Nguyen MH (2024). Further on informational quanta, interactions, and entropy under the granular view of value formation. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4922461

[11] Vuong QH. (2024). Wild Wise Weird. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG2NNHY6