Yesterday I spoke to Peter Jones, RSPB Cymru’s Conservation and Ecosystems Officer about the proposed Severn Barrage and some of the pros and cons of building it.
The Committee on climate change advised the UK Government to adopt an ambitious target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050. Wales have targeted to reduce their carbon output by 3% per annum and here enters the debate of the Severn Barrage.
The Severn is a strong candidate to harness tidal energy because of its hyper tidal range. It has the second largest tidal range in the world, greater than 12.5 metres.
The construction of the barrage will greatly effect the environment upstream. The barrage will affect the regime of the river including the transportation and deposition of sediment. This will effect the development of mudflats, sandflats and salt marshes. With the loss of these habitats, many wildlife species will be at threat.
The barrage itself will interrupt the movements of migratory fish including shads and lampreys. It will also cause changes to the water circulation and effect water quality putting different types of fish at danger. The construction of the Severn barrage will place increased pressure on other ports around the UK, and also the road and rail networks consequently increasing CO2 emissions.There are some positive outcomes that the Severn barrage can potentially bring. It can contribute over 5% of Britain’s entire electricity requirements. The Severn barrage can kick-start a positive multiplier effect, creating jobs directly and indirectly in various sectors.
When taking any action we must assess the impacts that this action may bring whilst looking at every perspective. It is not a question of taking an action and compensating elsewhere, but finding a way that will benefit everyone and everything.