每日英語跟讀 Ep.K599: Solar Development Poses Challenges for Farmers and Food Security, Experts Warn

A group of academics recently highlighted the negative impact of a government solar energy program on farmers and Taiwan's food security. The academics expressed concerns about the country's land use laws, which have undergone deregulation since 2015 to facilitate photovoltaic construction. They argued that the current trend deviates from the principle of sustainable development. The petition, which garnered 80 signatures, called for the establishment of clear standards and procedures for selecting solar installation sites to minimize adverse effects on farmers, fishermen, the environment, and food security.

一群學者最近強調了政府太陽能計劃對農民和台灣食品安全的負面影響。這些學者對台灣的土地利用法表示擔憂，該法自2015年以來經歷了放鬆管制以促進太陽能光電（光伏）系統的建置。他們認為目前的趨勢偏離了可持續發展的原則。這份請願書獲得了80個簽名，呼籲為選擇太陽能設施的位置建立明確的標準和程序，以最小化對農民、漁民、環境和食品安全的不良影響。

According to Professor Huang Wei-ju of National Chung Kung University (NCKU), the existing regulations give officials excessive authority to declare farmland unsuitable for agriculture, effectively rezoning it for solar farms with little factual basis. Professor Huang pointed out a specific case in Changhua County's Dacheng Township, where 500 hectares of intensively cultivated land designated for agriculture-only were rezoned to allow photovoltaic construction. This example demonstrates the need for careful consideration of the impact on existing agricultural practices.

國立成功大學都市計劃學系的黃偉茹副教授指出，現行法規賦予官員過度的權力，來宣布農田不適合農業，實質上是在沒有充分事實依據的情況下將其重新劃定為太陽能場地。黃教授指出了彰化縣大城鄉500公頃的集約農業用地，本應劃定為僅供農業使用，但卻重新劃分為允許光伏建設的區域。這個例子表明了需要仔細考慮對現有農業方式的衝擊。

To achieve its target of generating 40 to 80 gigawatts from renewable sources by 2025, Taiwan requires between 132,000 and 570,000 hectares of land for green energy installations. However, Professor Chao Tsu-yuan of NCKU emphasized that meeting this target would necessitate a comprehensive reassessment of national land use plans, a process that the government has yet to undergo. Failure to address controversies surrounding the selection of solar energy sites could complicate the implementation of zoning plans over the next two years, warned Assistant Professor Tai Hsiu-hsiung of National Chengchi University (NCCU), who specializes in land economy.

為了在2025年之前從可再生能源中產生40到80百萬瓩的目標，台灣需要佔地132,000到570,000公頃的土地用於綠色能源設施。然而，國立中興大學都市計劃學系的趙子元教授強調，實現這一目標將需要全面重新評估國家土地利用計劃，而政府尚未進行此過程。專門研究土地經濟學的國立政治大學地政學系副教授戴秀雄警告說：未能解決有關太陽能場地選擇的爭議，可能會使未來兩年內的分區計劃實施變得複雜。

Experts stressed the importance of establishing green energy zones under the Electricity Act and Renewable Energy Development Act rather than relying on ad hoc executive orders. Assistant Professor Tai called for more extensive examination of the environmental impact of renewable energy installations through thorough assessments. Professor Liao Kuei-hsien of National Taipei University cautioned against Taiwan solely focusing on achieving net-zero carbon emissions at the expense of other considerations. Rushing into the construction of solar and wind farms without adequate planning could result in long-term issues, such as biodiversity loss and decreased food production.

專家們強調了在《電業法》和《再生能源發展條例》下建立綠色能源區的重要性，而不是依賴臨時行政命令。戴秀雄副教授呼籲通過全面評估對可再生能源設施的環境影響進行更廣泛的審查。國立臺北大學都市計劃研究所的廖桂賢教授警告：台灣不能只專注於實現零碳排放，而忽視其他考慮因素。在沒有充分規劃的情況下盲目建設太陽能和風力發電場，可能會導致長期問題，例如生物多樣性損失和食品生產減少。

The academics' concerns highlight the need for a balanced approach to solar development in Taiwan. While renewable energy is essential for combating climate change, it is crucial to consider the potential negative consequences for farmers, food security, and the environment. Striking a balance between renewable energy goals and sustainable land use planning is vital to ensure a successful transition to a greener future in Taiwan.

這些學者們的擔憂凸顯了在台灣太陽能發展中需要平衡的觀點。雖然可再生能源對抗氣候變化至關重要，但同時也必須考慮對農民、食品安全和環境可能產生的負面影響。在可再生能源目標和可持續土地利用規劃之間取得平衡對於確保台灣成功過渡到更綠色的未來至關重要。

Reference article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/06/21/2003801903