Eco-energy and urbanisation : messages from birds about wind turbine proliferation

By 2010, 51% of humans live in cities, rising to 70% by 2050.Energy consumption increases exponentially with the proportion of the populace living in conurbations.Fossil fuels supply 85% of global human energy, yet many acknowledge the need to switch to renewable sources, especially given recent concerns over nuclear power safety.Finland will consume 14% more electrical energy by 2035, plus another 14% were the country to switch to electric cars.Such increased demand could be met by 2730 2.3 MW wind turbines (covering 1050 km 2 of sea).Wind turbines may cause displacement from bird feeding areas, barriers to movement, modifications to habitats and collision mortality.Effective implementation of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessment should guide sensitive positioning of wind farm development to avoid conflicts with avian populations.Experiences from existing developments, combined with modelling approaches, must ensure attempts generate renewable energy from wind do not impact unacceptably upon local nature.