One problem that comes along with trying to generate more electricity from solar power is; Where do you put it? It takes room to set up enough panels, which means open land is a resource. Energy companies have always liked the option of using public lands for their own purposes, which leads to the inevitability of conflict between those wanting to exploit public resources, and those wishing to protect them.

In this case, it’s about a proposed solar project in the Mojave Desert that would reduce the habitat of a rare, endangered tortoise. One of the best arguments people opposed to the project have is that there is other land available, land whose use won’t threaten an endangered species and the wilderness it lives in.

Damaging the land, polluting the air and water, harming wildlife, these are all mistakes that have been made in the development of all the major energy sources we use today. While looking for alternatives there’s no reason we can’t set the bar a little higher, and try to avoid the mistakes of the past. No doubt we’ll find plenty of others to take their place.