TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National NGO Environmental Conference put forward 60 suggestions for the government, including a review of green energy policies, closer attention to pollution, and strengthening ecological protection.
The conference has been held for the past 22 years, per UDN. It traditionally takes place on the eve of Earth Day, which falls on Tuesday this year.
He Zong-hsun (何宗勳), convener of the conference, said NGOs have had two meetings with the Ministry of Environment in the last six months, and more than 10 requests have been resolved. Suggestions have been designated to different agencies for resolution.
For example, the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association said that natural gas terminals have caused anxiety in communities due to environmental impact risks. The NGO said the greenhouse gas footprint of liquefied natural gas is 30% higher than that of coal when considering emissions from production, processing, and transportation.
The Changhua County Environmental Protection Alliance said nearly 100 onshore wind turbine development projects in the coastal towns of Changhua are undergoing the application process. The NGO said many of the sites are by the shore, near farmland and fish ponds, as well as residential communities and animal husbandry areas.
The NGO is concerned that such wind turbines will impact the quality of life and the economic viability of the coastal areas of Changhua. Academia Sinica confirmed that onshore wind turbines near residential areas can harm health.
Twelve years ago, anti-wind turbine groups asked the government to mandate safe distances for the placement of wind turbines.
The Pingtung County Wugoushui Protection Association said solar farms around wetland areas will cause algae blooms. This is due to detergents used to clean solar panels and more fertilizer on plants grown underneath solar panels.
It said solar farms will impact water quality, hurting native species. It urged the government to protect the wetland associated with Wuguoshui Spring and place solar plants further away.
