In the USA, Brightsource, a solar thermal technology company involved in the high profile $2.2 billion Ivanpah plant in the Mojave desert in California proposes paying $1.8 million towards programs that neuter domestic cats. I presume they are referring to trap-neuter-return programs for feral and stray cats. That is a lot of money that could be injected into feral cat TNR programs. What prompted this apparent act of generosity?
Well it is not genuine generosity, more a hardcore business decision. They want to deflect public concern over the Ivanpah plant which kills an estimated 28,000 birds annually. How does it do that?
The Ivanpah plant generates electricity for the equivalent of 140,000 homes. It does this by focusing sunlight using 300,000 garage door-sized mirrors onto three 40 storeys high towers containing water. The water heats up and boils. The steam powers turbines which generate electricity. It is turning the sun into electricity.
The bird problem is this: insects are drawn to the light. The birds follow the insects to prey on them. The birds enter a solar-flux field of extreme heat which singes their wings whereupon they fall to the ground and die on impact or they are so disabled they cannot prey on insects anymore and die of starvation.
Conservationists visiting the site saw “streamers” (burnt birds crashing to earth with smoke trails) falling at the rate of one every two minutes.
A similar but larger solar power plant is planned near the Joshua Tree National Park in California. There are concerns about its even greater impact on birds.
This is another example of human activity killing birds to add the the estimated 365-988 million birds killed from crashing into buildings in the USA every year.
There are many other ways humans deliberately and inadvertently kill birds. I mention this in defense of the cat because the cat is frequently criticized as a bird killer. It is major argument for keeping cats inside. There is much debate about the cat. There should be more about the human in my opinion.
The Ivanpah plant is innovative and good for the planet in terms of CO2 emissions but there is always a wildlife downside somewhere where human commercial activity is involved.
The unexpected positive spin off, on this occasion, is probably a first in the USA: a major company funding feral cat TNR programs to the tune of $1.8 million. It may help to kick start some more programs and it serves to validate TNR as the only known humane way to reduce stray and feral cat populations.
Ofcourse, this is meant to be a diversion to their massive bird kills.
I hate what they are doing to soaring beauties; but, I have to rejoice in the victory for cats.
With a continued outcry for birds, I can only hope that they will keep their commitment to cats.
A commitment is a commitment and should, ethically, not ever be taken back.
Yes, it is just a form of payment for killing wildlife. It is all about money at the end of the day.
Or does the funnel of scalding light reflect outwards hundreds of feet?
I’ll guess and say the funnel of bright light is very well directed and therefore we know where it is so it could be barred from intruders.
Great technology, but gruesome in the deaths it causes. Is it cost-ineffective to enclose each tower – or the entire facility – in screen?
Sylvia Ann, I am sure something could have been done in construction to minimize the hazard to birds. I guess they either failed to think about birds or didn’t want to spend the money.
They plan to build an even bigger plant that is a danger for eagles etc – they will be burnt in the air: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/08/solar-power-company-wants-to-make-up-for-frying-birds-by-neutering-cats/
I bet no one, none of the experts, gave a thought to the birds or any other wildlife when they planned the plant. It makes me think, really, whether humans can do anything to stop killing wildlife one way or the other. Even these so called green energy solutions end up killing animals.
In another article about this plant they say they have not thought about the impact as it was not too bad, so to speak, at smaller solar farms.
Yes, where big money, resources and power is, other things usually go to the back plan.
Geez. Thanks for sharing!
It’s good that they chip in a huge amount for a good cause. At the same time they cover deaths they are causing. Should have thought of a solution to prevent birds from coming (plus TNR)? I don’t know.
I just wish people could be more thoughtful about wildlife and animals when big business plans these things. The effect on animals should be automatically factored in as a priority together with the effect on people.
I’m with you. Everyone should be thinking of the other part. If you deal with animals, think about how your actions affect them, think about their welfare.
Well that’s good news for cats but I can’t see the cat hating bird lovers being very impressed.
The plant causing the death of 28,000 birds and the 365-988 million killed crashing into buildings each year is horrific!
How dare cat haters pick on cats for killing birds when the number they kill is miniscule, almost non existent in fact, in comparison