Wildlife fears over Severn barrage
Wildlife and conservation experts met at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge to press for protection of the Severn estuary if it is used to tidal power.
They said a clear message had to go to the Government that damage to such an important place should be minimised from the outset.
The event took place ahead of an announcement of finalised shortlisted projects to capture tidal energy from the river. Earlier this year the Government announced five possible schemes, including two small-scale barrages, two lagoons and a 10-mile barrage between Cardiff and Weston- super-Mare.
Campaigners fear wildlife will be decimated if the big barrage goes ahead, with Liberal Democrats favouring the "Shoots Barrage" which would mean a lesser threat to wildlife habitats.
Martin Spray, chief executive of the trust (WWT), said: "Now is the time to quantify the value of the Severn, think clever and keep the Severn working as a fully functioning ecosystem."
Andre Farrar, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "Climate change will bring change to the estuary, as it will every low-lying coast of the world.
"We have two choices – allow the environment and its wildlife to adapt while harnessing renewable energy in a sustainable manner, or build a barrage from Cardiff to Weston, destroying the estuary in its wake.
"Government has a chance to show real leadership and put the UK at the forefront of tidal power technology".
Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith, chief executive of the Wye and Usk Foundation, said: "The flocks of waders and wildfowl that can be seen in winter are an obvious sign of the international importance of the Severn for conservation.
"Unseen by many are the riches beneath the water.
"Salmon, eels, shad and lamprey would become extinct if inappropriate technology is chosen and with their loss, a whole rural economy would disappear."
Joan Edwards, head of living seas for the Wildlife Trusts, said: "The Severn estuary is an incredible and unique ecosystem, which will become even more important as species have to adapt to climate change. If there are options which offer us the ability to harness the power of the Severn's tidal range, with minimal impact upon the ecosystem, we have both a moral and ethical obligation to ensure these are pursued."
2 Comments
by Alexei Janssen, Exeter
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 6:20PM
“John,
All these "environmentalists" are not disputing that there must be disruption in the Severn Estuary to generate power, they are simply questioning whether a barrage is the best way to achieve it.
There are possibly many other cheaper and less damaging alternatives that these NGOs would like considered, such as lagoons, fences and turbines.
Unfortunately, by the Severn Estuary debate gets to the public, is distilled into a polarised debate for or against the barrage. A far more constructive debate would be - "Which technology generates the most power for the least capital outlay with the least effect on the environment?" I can understand your frustration, and I am sure it is well intentioned, but I feel your comments are unhelpful and do not address the complexities of this debate.
The environmentalists you aim your frustrations at are almost solely responsible for requesting the exploration of alternative technologies. They are far from just saying no to a barrage although this almost never reported. You may not be aware, but as a result of the proactive work these NGOs have done, the government has reopened the debate with an Embryonic Technology Scheme to look further at Lagoons, Fences and Farms for the first time. As a hard working tax payer, I am sure that you will agree that there is a balance to be struck between capital cost, payback, generation capacity, environmental impact, and the lifespan of any proposal and that all options should be explored thoroughly with these is mind.
Kind Regards
Alexei Janssen
Aquascientific Tidal Turbines
Exeter, Devon”
by John, Bristol
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 3:38PM
“It's a damn good job that we didn't have all these environmentalists around during the Renaissance or the industrial revolution otherwise we could well be still using flints.
It is an arrogant presumption by the human race to suggest that whatever we do will affect the environment. Global warming is a cyclic phenomena which is why there have been several ice ages and resulting warming up periods. We happen to be in the latter phase at the moment.
Wildlife will adapt to new conditions and circumstances far quicker than mankind can.
So, get off your high horses, which would not have been domesticated if you had had your way, and allow progress for the good of all.”