Planned solar farm threatens protected Joshua trees, other endangered species

[JACK AYLMER]

PROTECTING THE JOSHUA TREES.

LAST YEAR – CALIFORNIA TOOK STEPS A NEW LAW. 

The state says THE SPECIES IS THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE 

BUT NOW THOUSANDS OF THESE TREES MAY ACTUALLY BE DESTROYED all in the name of clean energy. 

There’s a plan for A MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND ACRE SOLAR FARM IN THE MOJAVE DESERT.

Building it- WILL REQUIRE CLEARING THE HABITAT THESE JOSHUA TREES CALL HOME.

While the FACILITY would GENERATE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO POWER CLOSE TO 200,000 HOMES – locals argue they won’t see any of the energy benefits. 

COMMUNITIES THAT CURRENTLY FACE A POVERTY RATE THAT IS TWICE THE CALIFORNIA AVERAGE.

THE POWER FROM THIS proposed SOLAR FARM would INSTEAD GO TO WEALTHIER COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND IT’S NOT JUST the JOSHUA TREES, SOME OF WHICH ARE OVER A CENTURY OLD, THAT WILL BE HARMED TO MAKE WAY FOR THESE SOLAR PANELS.

CONSERVATIONISTS WARN THE ENDANGERED DESERT TORTOISE WILL ALSO BE IMPACTED BY the PROJECT.

ALREADY MORE THAN 18 THOUSAND ACRES OF THIS ANIMAL’S HABITAT IN THE MOJAVE HAVE BEEN CLEARED to make way for OTHER SOLAR PROJECTS.

THE AREA AROUND THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IS SAID TO BE A PRIME LOCATION FOR THE TORTOISES TO REPRODUCE.

ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO A SPECIES THAT’S SEEN ITS POPULATION DECLINE 90 PERCENT SINCE 1970.

THESE TORTOISES HAVE LIVED ON OUR PLANET FOR AROUND 15 MILLION YEARS.

BUT THEIR EXTINCTION MAY JUST COME AT THE HANDS OF SOLAR POWER.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AIMS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION IN OUR WORLD. YET, SOME OF THESE PROJECTS COME WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR OWN. TO GET MORE STORIES LIKE THIS ONE, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER- SO YOU NEVER MISS A THING.