Some argue that the pursuit of growth should trump the needs of nature. That the conservation rules that protect seabirds are just red tape to be cut – like the protections for newts and bats that so many politicians and developers love to hate. But reducing the offshore wind dilemma to this false choice is disingenuous and will lead only to further conflict, delay and loss.
What is actually needed is leadership from governments and industry so that a way forward can be charted that allows offshore wind to grow in harmony with nature.
That means steering developments towards sites where they will have the lowest impact, and ensuring this emerging industry invests in the marine environment. Not just to compensating for any impact their turbines might have, but putting their funds and support behind efforts to restore our degraded seas and seabird colonies so that this emerging industry is “nature positive” from the get-go.
This is a good point. Expansion of renewables does not have to mean a negative impact on wildlife, if done properly.