How 'Blue' Is 'Green' Energy?
Andrew J Wright1, Claryana Araújo-Wang2, John Y Wang3
1Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes Region, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, 1 Challenger Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada; Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|December 22, 2019
Summary
Marine renewable energy devices (MREDs) can mitigate climate change but pose overlooked underwater ecological risks. Rigorous assessments are crucial due to varying species sensitivities and cumulative impacts.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Renewable energy
- Environmental science
Background:
- Renewable energy technologies are often perceived as environmentally benign.
- Ecological costs of marine renewable energy devices (MREDs) below the waterline are frequently overlooked.
- Impacts on freshwater and marine organisms from hydropower are briefly discussed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impacts of MREDs on underwater marine organisms.
- To focus on offshore wind farms and marine energy converters (e.g., tidal turbines).
- To consider cumulative impacts and synergistic interactions with other anthropogenic pressures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on MREDs and marine organisms.
- Case study analysis using offshore wind farms and the Taiwanese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis).
- Examination of ecological consequences and species sensitivity.
Main Results:
- MREDs, including offshore wind farms and tidal turbines, have significant underwater ecological impacts.
- Cumulative impacts and interactions with other anthropogenic pressures exacerbate MRED effects.
- Species and ecosystem sensitivity to MREDs varies considerably.
Conclusions:
- While MREDs contribute to climate change mitigation, their ecological consequences require thorough evaluation.
- Case-by-case assessments are essential to understand the full impact of MRED deployment.
- Balancing renewable energy goals with marine ecosystem protection is critical.
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