Wind turbines are becoming an increasingly popular source of renewable energy, but there is a lot of controversy surrounding their environmental impact. Some people claim that wind turbines kill large numbers of birds each year. Others argue that the number of bird deaths is negligible and that the benefits of wind turbines far outweigh any negative consequences.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the issue of bird deaths caused by wind turbines and try to come to a conclusion about how serious the problem really is.
According to a study conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, wind turbines killed around 234,000 birds in 2013. This number includes both migratory and non-migratory birds. The study found that collisions with turbine blades were the leading cause of death, followed by electrocutions when birds came into contact with power lines associated with wind farms.
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It’s important to note that the number of bird deaths caused by wind turbines is dwarfed by the number of deaths caused by other human activities. For example, an estimated one billion birds are killed each year by cats in the United States alone. In comparison, the 234,000 bird deaths caused by wind turbines represents a tiny fraction of the overall number of bird deaths in the country.
So, while it is true that wind turbines do kill birds, the number of deaths is relatively small compared to other human-related activities. When we weigh the pros and cons of wind energy, the bird deaths caused by turbines should not be a major factor in our decision-making.
Do cats kill more birds than wind turbines?
One study estimates that cats kill around one billion birds in the United States each year, while another study found that wind turbines killed 234,000 birds in 2013. So it appears that cats do kill more birds than wind turbines.
However, it’s important to note that the number of bird deaths caused by other human activities is much higher than the number of deaths caused by wind turbines.
When we weigh the pros and cons of wind energy, the bird deaths caused by turbines should not be a major factor in our decision-making. Instead, we should focus on the much larger problem of bird deaths caused by other human activities.
Cats kill an estimated one billion birds in the United States each year, while wind turbines killed 234,000 birds in 2013. So it appears that cats do kill more birds than wind turbines.
In conclusion, while it is true that wind turbines do kill birds, the number of deaths is relatively small compared to other human-related activities. The much larger problem of bird deaths caused by other human activities should be the focus when we weigh the pros and cons of wind energy.