Brings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation
and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work
hand in hand.
Renewable energy is often termed simply "green energy," but its effects
on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While
capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass
can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially
displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also
create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented.
The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that
in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially
important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these
fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the
ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an
extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from
practitioners into a single, comprehensive resource, contributors to
this volume
- describe processes to generate renewable energy, focusing on the Big
Four renewables--wind, bioenergy, solar energy, and hydroelectric
power
- review the documented effects of renewable energy production on
wildlife and wildlife habitats
- consider current and future policy directives, suggesting ways
industrial-scale renewables production can be developed to minimize harm
to wildlife populations
- explain recent advances in renewable power technologies
- identify urgent research needs at the intersection of renewables and
wildlife conservation
Relevant to policy makers and industry professionals--many of whom
believe renewables are the best path forward as the world seeks to meet
its expanding energy needs--and wildlife conservationists--many of whom
are alarmed at the rate of renewables-related habitat conversion--this
detailed book culminates with a chapter underscoring emerging
opportunities in renewable energy ecology.
Contributors: Edward B. Arnett, Brian B. Boroski, Regan Dohm, David
Drake, Sarah R. Fritts, Rachel Greene, Steven M. Grodsky, Amanda M.
Hale, Cris D. Hein, Rebecca R. Hernandez, Jessica A. Homyack, Henriette
I. Jager, Nicole M. Korfanta, James A. Martin, Christopher E. Moorman,
Clint Otto, Christine A. Ribic, Susan P. Rupp, Jake Verschuyl, Lindsay
M. Wickman, T. Bently Wigley, Victoria H. Zero
