Bird Collisions : A Building Epidemic
Over 1 billion bird deaths are a result of collisions into buildings annually in the US. Protecting local ecology and the environment has become a top priority in the building industry. Building-related bird deaths impact not only bird species, but also the ecological benefits they provide.
Here is information on policy, opportunities, and business cases to increase environmental friendliness of building.
Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2021
“This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop and implement strategies for reducing bird fatalities from collisions with public buildings.
Specifically, the GSA must incorporate relevant features and strategies into public buildings that are newly constructed, acquired, or substantially altered so as to reduce bird fatalities. The GSA must also develop a related design guide and annually certify its active use. The bill's provisions do not apply to buildings and sites on the National Register of Historic Places, the White House and its grounds, the Supreme Court building and its grounds, or the U.S. Capitol and any buildings on its grounds.”
Fact: In 1948, hundreds of birds in different cities,- which include New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and Nashville - died on the same night. This was due to a mix of inclement weather and lit city buildings.
Methods to Decrease
Key contributors to these collisions can be attributed to glass and lighting practices
Night Lighting : decrease time and intensity, change color to blue or green
Light direction : Change the direction of light from upwards to downwards
Window Patterns : External patterns, such as lines or dots
Innovative Glass : Acid etched, “fritted” glass (adhering ceramic lines or dots), frosted glass, UV patterned class (invisible to humans)
Physical Barriers : Screens, netting, hanging cords
Conclusion
The building industry is a major contributor to environmental impacts. Promoting sustainability as an organization and as an industry is imperative. This includes decreasing negative impacts in areas surrounding work.
Many of these methods have positive externalities as well. Affordable, aesthetically pleasing options and energy cost savings make the choice to shift to bird-safe building easy. Beyond this, it is a priority for the public and improves image.
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https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/791
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1986/related-bills?s=1&r=3
https://www.fws.gov/story/threats-birds-collisions-buildings-glass
https://pa.audubon.org/news/seven-ways-bird-collisions-buildings-can-be-prevented
https://chirpforbirds.com/nature-advocacy/mass-bird-collisions-why-they-happen-and-how-to-stop-them/
