Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany

Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany

The development of a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin has resulted in about 500,000 trees being felled, according to satellite analysis.

The building of the German factory has been highly controversial and attracted significant protests, as well as prompting a debate about the trade-offs involved in developing a green economy.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s owner, has criticised local police for letting off “leftwing protesters”.

Satellite images show 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cut down at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, according to the environmental intelligence company Kayrros. That is equivalent to approximately 500,000 trees.

  • Tryptaminev@lemm.eeEnglish
    137·
    3 months ago

    Or it could have been turned into an actual diverse forest over the next decades by deliberate measures like they are taken in many forests/plantations in the area. Almost all “Forests” in Germany are “plantations” because of the wood cut after WW2 to rebuild.

    • DrFugglesEnglish
      13·
      3 months ago

      In a sense it was, though:

      "Tesla is legally obliged to compensate for cleared forests 1:1 with new plantings. The new plantings are mixed forests with a deciduous wood share of more than 60 percent, which is more ecologically valuable than the felled trees on the site. In addition, the new plantings lead to the conversion of species-poor landscapes into habitats for birds, insects and small mammals.

      By December 2021, around 90 percent of the required initial afforestation had already been implemented, and the remaining areas will be completed in 2022. The growth is monitored and controlled by the forestry authority and only released after several years of growth and when specified criteria are met. These new plantings will take place at various selected locations in the state of Brandenburg.

      In addition, Tesla has announced that it will voluntarily replant areas that will be significantly larger in total than the planned factory site. In order to achieve the best possible result, Tesla says it is working closely with environmental and other expert groups.

      Extensive avoidance and replacement measures were carried out to protect possible habitats for reptiles. Among other things, potential habitats were protected by fences. In addition, additional fences were erected to prevent further immigration of reptiles into the project area. Over the summer of 2020, sand lizards, grass snakes and forest ants were professionally relocated to the remaining area that had been applied for clearing.

      The following replacement measures were carried out, among others:

      • Two areas (a total of around 10 hectares) were created for sand lizards and grass snakes by clearing and building habitat structures in the immediate vicinity.
      • 21 forest ant nests were protected and successfully relocated to suitable locations in the immediate vicinity.
      • Replacement habitats for protected bird and bat species have been created in the immediate vicinity to ensure that the ecological function of resting and breeding sites is maintained in the spatial context.
      • In the immediate vicinity of the site, Tesla has installed a total of 702 boxes as compensation (including 368 bat boxes, 329 nesting boxes and 5 nesting baskets)."

      Google translated from Land Brandenburg.

      … and that’s not all, apparently.

      Still don’t like neither Tesla nor Elon, but in this particular instance it seems the Guardian lied by omission.

      • Tryptaminev@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago

        Thank you. I didn’t know about the ecological compensation measures to be this proper.