China’s Solar Boom Cuts Bird Diversity, Study Finds

China’s rapid expansion of solar power has come with an unexpected cost: a drop in bird diversity nationwide. A study published Thursday in the journal *Science* found that government policies promoting large-scale solar projects are linked to the decline. The researchers say the findings highlight the environmental trade-offs of renewable energy development. They also suggest ways to improve photovoltaic policies in China, which has built nearly as much solar capacity as the rest of the world combined. Solar farms can disrupt local ecosystems by clearing land and altering habitats. The study calls for smarter siting and design of solar projects to reduce harm to wildlife while still meeting clean-energy goals.