Groups Call for Changhua Wetland To Be Internationally Recognized
Environmental groups are calling for Changhua Wetland to join the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in a bid to protect them from coastal energy projects.
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00:00 This vast wetland on Taiwan's west coast is the home to thousands of plant and animal species.
00:05 It's the largest in the country and has long been the foundation of the local ecosystem.
00:11 But wind and solar farms off the coast of Zhanghua County are impacting the area's ecology.
00:18 Environmental groups say wind turbines on land kill birds and affect tides when built offshore,
00:25 while floating solar panels disturb underwater habitats.
00:30 "If a solar panel is built, it will block the light.
00:33 How can we maintain the scientific evidence of the biodiversity of the plant and animal species?"
00:42 And these wetlands are also an important magnet for tourists.
00:46 Oyster harvesting by oxcart is a traditional activity that attracts about 30,000 visitors a year.
00:53 Locals are calling for the government to conserve the area by adding it to the Ramsar List,
00:58 a convention that protects wetlands of international importance.
01:02 They hope to curb the development of wind and solar farms that disturb the environment.
01:25 But the development of solar and wind power projects is part of the government's plan
01:29 to increase renewable energy to 20% of the country's energy mix by 2025.
01:34 But despite the need to cut carbon emissions by moving away from fossil fuels,
01:40 some say the drawbacks of green energy projects outweigh their benefits.
01:54 But with Taiwan's limited landmass,
01:57 renewable energy projects are often relegated to the country's coastlines.
02:02 So striking the balance between emissions goals and ecological protection
02:07 will continue to pose questions for Taiwan's policy makers.
02:10 Ryan Wu and Laurel Stewart for Taiwan Plus.
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