Mega-solar farm project could impact threatened Japanese giant salamanders

Sep 17

Jack Aylmer Energy Correspondent

By Jack Aylmer (Energy Correspondent), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

The Japanese giant salamander, a species that has inhabited Earth for approximately 23 million years, is now facing the threat of extinction. Conservationists are raising concerns about new solar energy developments encroaching on its natural habitat.

A proposed mega-solar farm on the small island of Hokkaido in northern Japan has sparked protests from local officials and residents, who argue that the project endangers the vulnerable salamander population.

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The island was identified as an ideal site for solar energy due to its low-cost land, long daylight hours, and proximity to metropolitan areas that could utilize the energy generated. However, the planned site overlaps with the natural habitat of the salamanders, which are revered in Japan as a national treasure and celebrated in cultural legends.

While developers have conducted an environmental impact assessment to address potential risks to the species, community members remain concerned that the solar farm will adversely affect the salamander population.

Tags: Japan, Marine life, Renewable energy, solar power

JACK ALYMER: THESE CREATURES HAVE LIVED ON OUR PLANET FOR ABOUT 23 MILLION YEARS-

BUT NOW THE JAPANESE GIANT SALAMANDER IS FACING EXTINCTION.

AND CONSERVATIONISTS SAY NEW SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ANIMAL’S NATURAL HABITAT AREN’T HELPING MATTERS.

PUTTING A SPECIES REVERED THROUGHOUT JAPAN AS A NATIONAL TREASURE AND CELEBRATED IN CULTURAL LEGENDS AT RISK.

A SMALL ISLAND IN NORTHERN JAPAN HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS AN IDEAL SPOT FOR A MEGA-SOLAR FARM.

WITH LOW-COST LAND, SURROUNDING METROPOLITAN AREAS TO ABSORB THE ENERGY CREATED, AND SUNLIGHT DURATIONS OF OVER 15 HOURS DURING SOME MONTHS-
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE PLANNED SITE OVERLAPS WITH habitat of these VULNERABLE SALAMANDERS.

IT’S WHY BOTH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS OF THE AREA HAVE PROTESTED AGAINST BUILDING OUT A MASSIVE SOLAR FACILITY HERE.

DEVELOPERS SAY THEY’VE COMPLETED AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT TO MITIGATE ANY POTENTIAL THREATS TO THE SPECIES-

HOWEVER, PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY REMAIN CONCERNED THIS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT THE GIANT SALAMANDERS.

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