by Blake Michael, Fordham Environmental Law Review, Associate Editor, Class of 22′

As nations around the world grapple with climate change, many are hoping wind energy will provide large quantities of renewable power. However, as wind turbines kill thousands of birds each year, environmentalists have begun to search for a solution which will protect the lives of birds while generating much needed electrical power. 

Internationally, this can threaten rare and endangered species. For example, on the island of Tasmania, where several dozen raptors fell victim to turbines. This problem is particularly prominent in coastal areas, as opposed to grasslands, where birds are more likely to identify the threat. Larger turbines, particularly those tall enough to reach the typical spaces occupied by nocturnal birds attempting to migrate, are frequently the most deadly. 

There exists a solution! Painting a portion of one of a wind turbine’s blade black in order to aid birds to evade it. Initial results are positive, with the paint being particularly effective in protecting raptor species, which are especially vulnerable to the slow-moving, yet lethal, blades. This is a particularly helpful research conclusion given that although current costs are somewhat high due to the nature of painting already-assembled turbines, future turbines could be painted before installation.

Activists are excited about the prospect of protecting the lives of millions of birds, but are quick to point out that wind turbines without modification still result in the death of less than 10% of the bird deaths attributed to fossil-fuel power facilities per gigawatt hour. Indeed, cats kill far more birds each year than any method of power production- perhaps as many as four billion each year in the continental United States alone! 

A simple coat of paint can mean all the difference for millions of birds. Regulators in the United States and across the world should seriously consider requiring all future windmills to include a painted turbine, as well as incentivize wind farms to alter their current stock. Where there’s a mill, there’s a way!