summary: In the Mojave Desert they are building a solar project that is supposed to take up 5.6 square miles. During the building of the project they were stopped because it could destroy 3,000 acres of tortoise habitat. 600 tortoises could die from the already endangered speacies. Although the developer says that it would only 38 will be distrubed in their actions. Environmentalist dont want the solar pannels to disturb the habitat. They would like it if the pannels were out of the way on rooftops. The tortoises that are 80-100 years old have wide ranges of food sources but because of the move they will have to take diseases are more prone to them and they will die. They are trying to find another habitat to move the tortoises but as of now they have found nothing.
reflection: I feel that alternative energies are great, but when the making and space needed for them destroys animals habitat its not worth it. alternative energy resources are there to help the environment and where we live. Destroying land/ homes of tortoises is not a way to do so. im glad to see they have stopped production so they can figure out what to do in this situation. I dont believe that finding another location just to move the tortoises to isnt going to help much. It will cause an unblanced atmosphere. like we learned earlier in the year when intruducing a different species to new land it can mess things up serverly. with what we are learning now about alternative energies we know that for an energy source putting the pannels in this area would be greatly benificial. The emmense amount of sunlight would bring in tons of energy to be used. All actions have consequences though.
1.do you thing they should build the pannels? why?
2.What will the effects be of moving the tortoises?
3.What are the advantages of building the pannels?
4. do you the right thing to do and whta will actually happen will be the same thing?
I agree with Tori. Yes, we should definitely use alternative energies, however, not when they could destroy a species habitat. It is good that they were stopped in the process because tortoises are already an endangered species. I did a blog on invasive species during our biosphere unit when we were learning about them. Moving species to different habitats can destroy other species habitats and the whole thing will just be messed up. Also, like we learned in class, alternative energies are needed in replace of fossil fuels, but they can be harmful as well. We don't need them to be causing extra damage to the environment.
ReplyDelete1. I don't think they should build the panels because there are other areas to do so and this will just be lowering the amount of endangered tortoises.
2.The effects of moving the tortoises would be that they would have to adapt to different surroundings and they might make other species find a new habitat. Like Tori and I said earlier, the whole thing would just be messed up.
3.The advantage of building the panels would be that it would provide a lot of energy especially since they would be placing them in the middle of a desert.
I agree with what both the girls in that we need to find new energy soources but not the expense of animals and their habitats. However, even if they did move the tortoises they would just be messing with some other animal's habitat. Even though we do need new alternative energy source we can't be endangering already endangered species. We can't afford to be killing animals in the effort to find new energy sources to replace fossil fuels that already killing animals in the first place.
ReplyDelete1)No, because if they would them in they would be putting the tortoises in danger.
2)Moving the tortoises might be putting the animals in the new habitat in danger too.
REFLECTION:
ReplyDeleteI also agree with everyone that we need to find new energy sources. But if it is going to destroy another creatures habitat, it cannot be done. I am happy that for once people realized they were going a bit too far. you have to think of it as if it was you. You would not want someone to destroy your home so they could do something to help themselves. I also do not think moving the animals is a good idea because in class we learned that moving species to different environments can be dangerous. the species could be carrying diseases and could spread them. Finally, if the solar panels are going to probably do some damage already, we do not need them to destroy the habitat of other creatures as well.
QUESTIONS:
1) No because the tortoises are already endangered and we do not want to destroy their habitat.
2) Like i said earlier, the tortoises could spread disease if they are moved to a different location.
3) Building the panels would provide a lot of energy and since it is in the desert, they would be receiving a good amount of sunlight
I agree. This is an issue of two different groups who are trying to help the environment. While it is important that we switch to alternative energy, we should not do it if we are going to harm the environment. It is not worth it when you have to damage animals’ habitat and lower their population. In this case, it is especially important because the tortoise is endangered. I see a lot on the news about endangered species and I understand how it is important that we keep them protected from dangers. While natural disasters and other animals are tough to protect the tortoise from, human destruction of habitat is something that humans have complete control over, and there is no reason people should be allowed to build solar panels there. This puts the tortoise in added unnecessary danger.
ReplyDelete1. No, because it puts the turtles at an added risk. They are already endangered.
2. They would need to adapt which could be fatal. There are other predators, weather situations, food, and diseases that would put them at a high risk of death.