It is interesting, isn’t it? That were, for example, a business owner or indeed a an ordinary member of the public to propose developing their property in a way which could and probably would, result in the death of say one or several rare species of birds, you wouldn’t mind betting that the RSPB would be pretty fast off the mark in opposing it. Even were it a more common species the RSPB would stand firm in saying one death would be too many.
Odd, therefore, that despite soundly based scientific evidence that bats, all 18 species of which are threatened right across their range in this country, have become the latest part the wildlife community likely to fall victim to the RSPB’s highly selective view of conservation. This follows its tie-up with power giant, Ecotricity, and its decision to build a whopping great windmill at its headquarters in Buckinghamshire.
The evidence of the dangers turbines present to bats comes in a piece of research from the United States which shows that the sudden drop in pressure occasioned by the rotation of wind turbine blades, can and does cause the lungs of bats to explode; bats are drawn to turbines by insects that are in turn attracted there by the warmth created.
The RSPB has adopted a handwringing response to this hypocrisy, whining that wind turbines are the lesser of two evils when compared to global warming. It is of course a wholly dishonest comparison. It is at what end of the scale of evils wind turbines lie when compared to other forms of renewable energy that is relevant here.
(Note: The RSPB gets £40 for every member who signs up with Ecotricity)