Birds are sensitive creatures and among the first to display a change in behavior when something in our shared environment is different. They are an indicator species – and right now, they’re sounding the alarm on climate change.
Scientists tell us that two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction from climate change. And we know that what affects our birds and other wildlife will also have resounding impacts for our communities and way of life. But here is the good news. We still have time to protect most bird species and our communities. And what’s even better is we know how to do it: by rapidly expanding renewable energy solutions, like solar.
There is a huge opportunity for solar growth in Ohio. Solar power technology is advancing, and thanks to these advancements it’s more affordable than ever. Solar is now the cheapest source of electricity in history, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). While only one percent of Ohio’s energy currently comes from solar, there are projects underway that together have the potential to yield enough electricity to power the equivalent of just under 1 million Ohio homes once operational. That’s good for our wildlife and economy. A recent study found that installing utility-scale solar energy in Ohio could support more than 54,000 construction jobs and generate up to $67.5 million in local tax revenues annually.
There has also been an uptick in misinformation in opposition to projects like the one in Knox County, particularly when it comes to wildlife and their safety. At Audubon we’re often asked if solar is safe for birds. We can make the transition to solar power responsibly by ensuring developers work closely with wildlife agencies and stakeholders, like Audubon, to ensure that projects are built in areas that avoid and minimize impacts to birds and their habitat. The Frasier Solar Project has demonstrated a willingness to engage in proactive consultation with environmental stakeholders to identify and address potential bird and wildlife impacts. That’s encouraging.
We have time to address climate change, but the window of time to act is closing. Ohio is starting to change. We’re already beginning to see bird species that have always relied on Ohio, like the Wood Thrush and Cerulean Warbler, inching closer to our northern border each year to find suitable food and habitat.
Climate change poses a far greater threat to birds and our wildlife than responsible solar development. By letting science lead us and taking the steps necessary to grow Ohio’s solar safely, we can move toward a future where Ohio’s birds and communities can thrive.
-Marnie Urso, senior policy director, Audubon Great Lakes
