CALL FOR A MORATORIUM ON WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT

The increasing number of wind farm applications, in areas which
contain sensitive habitats and populations of birds and other
wildlife, continue to alarm many of those hoping for a reversal of
the process of natural habitat degradation worldwide.

Discussion on this matter often divides the concerned professionals
and public into a heated polemic debate on the pros and cons of wind
and other forms of renewable energy, or whether or not we need to
worry about climate change. Important as this discussion is, it
misses the point that habitat is being degraded on a creeping basis
and protected bird and other wildlife species are threatened with
irreversible population decline.

We have decided to take the United Kingdom as a test case and demand the imposition of an immediate moratorium on all sensitively sited windfarm proposals. This moratorium should remain in place until a
strategic approach to applications and planning procedures is in
place. Particular attention should be paid to vulnerable species
such as large raptors, as well as other forms of wildlife where the
sustainability of national or global populations is at risk.

Our chosen target for this petition is the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds (RSPB). We respect the work that they have done
in the past, and continue to do today; but we consider that, in this
case, they should concentrate more on their traditional and primary objective of the protection of birds.

Please take time to read the petition at the link below and support
it with your signature if you agree with its content:

http://www.petitiononline.com/rspb0206/petition.html

This is not a problem confined to the UK, and those from other
countries are encouraged to support this campaign as well. We pledge
to support you in return when requested and are always ready to
assist in setting up such a campaign.

David Conlin
Proact International

March 2006