RFK Jr. Advocates Protection for Whales and Ostriches
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making headlines with two surprising causes—whales and ostriches. Recently, he voiced his concerns about nearly 400 ostriches at risk due to avian flu in Canada. But on Sunday, he took his advocacy a step further, arguing that offshore windmills should be banned due to their potential harm to whales and marine ecosystems.
In an interview on WABC 770 AM, he described offshore wind energy as not just harmful but also an expensive failure compared to fossil fuels. “It’s a costly bust,” he stated during the “Cat’s Round Table” program.
Kennedy pointed out the alarming statistic of 109 whale deaths in the last 22 months, all occurring near newly constructed offshore wind farms. “Two decades ago, whales experienced 2.6 groundings per year,” he remarked to host John Catsimatidis.
He expressed deep concern over endangered whale species, suggesting that the current trends could lead to their eradication. “These projects are driving fishermen out of business,” he added.
Notably, Kennedy criticized foreign companies profiting from U.S. wind projects that receive large subsidies under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. He underscored that the energy generated is three times more expensive than that from onshore wind farms, which seems economically unfeasible.
Former President Trump has also shown opposition to new offshore wind projects, emphasizing community concerns in New York and New Jersey. While he halted approvals on certain projects, he allowed the Empire Wind 1 initiative to move forward. This project aims to supply wind energy to about 500,000 homes by 2050 and is part of New York’s broader green energy strategy.
However, skepticism looms from local officials who, like Kennedy, are worried about its implications for marine life and local fisheries. Kennedy has promised to continue discussing his opposition to offshore wind with Trump.
Trump himself has voiced strong objections, criticizing wind energy as not only unsightly but also detrimental to the environment. “They ruin your neighborhood,” he stated vehemently. He accused wind farms of harming wildlife, including birds and whales.
On another front, Kennedy is advocating for ostriches, reaching out to Canadian officials in hopes of saving the birds from a potential culling at Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia. He believes that studying ostriches could reveal why they have resisted avian influenza.
In collaboration with Dr. Oz, who has provided space for ostriches on his Florida ranch, Kennedy aims to extract antibodies from these birds. “Understanding their immunity could benefit many other bird species,” he noted.
Kennedy has also criticized the “bureaucratic corruption” driving the push to cull ostriches, citing a desire for power over the lives of these animals.
