Is wind power green - Essay Example

? The Truth About Wind Power Is Wind Power Green? First Last of The Truth About Wind Power Is wind power green? IntroductionThe limited supply of fossil fuels and amount of time needed to replenish the reduced amount, forced environmentalist advocates to think of ways on how to gain energy in a different light, and pushed the birth of alternative energy resources. In order to achieve the full purpose of having an alternative resource, it should efficiently deliver energy to households and public and private institutions while reducing the risk of environmental degradation. Wind power is one of the choices of alternative energy, and gained positive remarks from the ones concerned. However, there are several questions about the reliability of using the wind power. Wind power, though helpful in promoting alternative resource could not sustain the growing need of electricity; the claim about how it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions holds a lot of questionable areas, while its more subtle effects on animals is as fatal as the blatant ones. Wind Power The wind’s molecular structure and versatility in movement are the main reasons why it is a good agent of producing electricity by means of wind turbines. The blades of the turbines are “designed to capture kinetic energy in the wind” (Layton, n.d.). The heat of the sun combined with the irregularities of the Earth’s surface, are the main factors of wind formation; thus leading us to the idea that wind power is basically an offshoot of solar energy. The origin of using the wind as an energy resource dates back hundreds of years ago when civilizations prosper and began to develop agriculture. According to Redlinger, Andersen, Morthorst, and the United Nations Environment Programme (2002), the origins of wind power may be traced back in ancient Asia particularly in some parts of North Asia and the Middle East. In the eve of European navigation, windmills were spread across the European continent particularly in the Netherlands and Denmark, where windmills were used primarily for irrigation. What convinces environmental advocates that wind power is the safest form of renewable energy is the fact that it does not reproduce radioactive chemicals like what nuclear energy does. Truly, wind energy is tried and tested through time. However, the needs of the society nowadays are a far cry from what it is before. If power was only needed to process wheat and other agricultural products, then the amount of power the wind produces would be enough, but looking into the modern context where steel and massive electricity needed to light the country’s households, power generated by the wind would only mean a speck of dust. A Lighter Side of the Issue Harnessing energy from the natural wind may be the biggest advantage of wind power if compared to fossil fuels or nuclear energy. According to the Energy Resource Center of Wisconsin (n.d.), power plants generally produce toxic by-products such as mercury and lead, which are both lethal to the environment and human and animal health. The use of wind power would likely to reduce the production of these chemicals in such a way that it would prevent contamination of clean natural resources. In addition, an edge that wind power may have among other forms of energy source is the longevity of the system. The wind power equipments have accessible materials for its maintenance and would less likely to require expensive machineries for its sustenance (Cane, 2010). Nowadays, information about the wind power offers a bright future for the environment; however several environmental advocates disagree with this statement. The Other Side In his book Power Hungry: The Myths of "Green" Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future, Bryce (2010) regarded the energy by the wind power, a myth; more-so with its efficiency as electricity provider. In the case of Denmark’s wind power resources, the wind turbines needed a considerable amount of electric generation capacity (Bryce 2010). Basing on the Denmark’s wind power, Danish environmentalists “haven’t seen a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions” despite the technology to reduce CO2 in the wind power system. This claim by Bryce was supported by Rosenbloom (2006), where it has been found out that much of Denmark’s electricity is made from other renewable resource, and that the wind power only holds about 3.3% of the total energy source of the entire country, while the 84% is exported. Danish wind turbines are supposed to power a fraction of 20% electricity needs. According to White (2004), the figure is not being transparent to public information and that it is more of “commercial rather than factual.” The said 20% all-wind power electricity is a marketing strategy by Denmark; although the business is not all the time on the go considering that the wind itself is unpredictable. An important point made by Rosenbloom (2006) states: “Denmark is just dependent enough on wind power that when the wind is not blowing right they must import electricity.” Aside from efficiency and dependability of wind power, another issue that takes up a large chunk of environmental discussions is the soundness of the said renewable energy to the environment. A report made by Gallant (2009) stated that the extensive use of wind power turbines can require an increase “fossil-fuel capacity.” This problem is currently experienced by Canada; difficulties in delivering their electricity in the market would mean another potential harmful effect on the environment, which adds up to the problem of Denmark about the gas-fired generators. Hawkins concluded that wind power equipments are not 100% safe for the environment, and do not necessarily reduce the carbon dioxide emission (as cited in Bryce, 2010). Wind energy is supposed to bring convenience and an environment friendly source of power. However, it turned as a major antagonist to some animals, specifically the bats. Bats have an important title to stand in the ecosystem. They are the primary agents of seed dispersion along with insects. The process in which they are involved offers a chance for the plant life to germinate. In a study by the US National Research Council on May 2007, it has been found out that wind turbines are more dangerous than what people have expected. It was found out to kill winged animals such as birds and bats, with the latter as the most affected because of their sensitive hearing capacity (Brahic, 2008). Brahic (2008) reported that the “high-frequency noise from the turbines’ gears and blades could be disrupting the bats’ echolocation systems.” In addition to this health hazards to bats, studies have shown that the moving blades of the turbines could cause the blood pressure to drop--a deadly event for the bat’s delicate lungs which causes it to explode. Birds have more rigid lungs to adapt from sudden pressure changes, making them less vulnerable to such situations. However, birds are not spared by the powerful force each blade of the turbine has. Direct contact can cause the birds injuries, internal bleeding and death. A protest was made by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) to counteract a proposition made by the company Ecotricity to build a wind power plant at Poplar Farm, West Huntspill in England (Newman, 2010). It is not to doubt that wind turbines kill migratory and nonmigratory birds, since its damage is not only limited to direct physical contact but goes deep into the internal physical system of the said animals. Speaking of health risks, humans are also affected by the health hazard brought about by wind turbines; noise pollution disturbs the people living nearby. A study conducted by Davis and Davis (2007) documented their experience of living 930 meters away from a wind farm in U.K. Years after the implementation of wind farms, both have abandoned their homes due to the inconsolable noise and its effects on their lives. According to them, noise pollution is not a popular issue connected with wind power plant because “developers certainly do not publicise it,” for commercial reasons. Last year, I was privileged to visit my friend’s place in Bruce County, Ontario. It was supposed to be the best vacation, but I was forced to move to a hotel away from all the pulsating noise from the Enbridge Wind farm. I could not fathom how my friend and his family tolerate that kind of disturbance especially that his wife recently gave birth to their second child. Recently, common friend told me that they sold their property near that area and moved to Montreal. The alluring enterprise of wind power project hides the putrid health of both animals and humans. What the developers failed to do is to be transparent to whatever adverse effect that the wind farms can produce. The people, especially those who live nearby a potential wind power plant, must be informed of the consequences of its building. Providing them the proper information would have the residents make the soundest decisions for themselves. Wind Power and the Earth’s Sustainability Considering all the pros and cons of encouraging wind power as a source of energy, the benefits and possible harmful factors in the environment should be weighed clearly and objectively with nature preservation as the main concern. Knowing that the use of oil would mean an astronomical value of expenses due to its finite nature and indispensable use, would make the people look for alternative resources, where wind power is one of the options. The need of looking after the welfare of the environment comes from different influences in both Biblical and Scientific basis. The apocalyptic end of the world initially came from the Bible specifically in the “Book of Revelations.” What the world is experiencing right now is somehow a justification of what is written on the Holy Book, although skeptics continue to question its relevance. People may believe or deny the Bible, yet the fear of humans of becoming homeless creatures is actually a basic truth. A gruesome image of the Earth is the last thing that we might want to face, which sometimes makes us contemplate on what to do for the betterment of Mother Gaia. Energy is comparable to a diamond in this thriving planet. Its importance would range from the simplest life activities such as cooking up to the major business’ and politics’ movements. In simpler terms, the importance of energy is basically larger than life. Wind power offers a friendly approach of sustaining the power needs of households and industries, but the cons would suggest that it is not a hundred percent benign. It could kill bats and implicitly harm the people’s health. Its effect on the ecosystem is considerably alarming. The killing of bats generally would alter the chain of the ecosystem; since most of the bat species are migratory, the impact would reach as far as the other face of the planet. Example, the fruit bats from Mexico which were killed in wind power plants in England would affect the germination of fruit bearing trees in Mexico and some parts of Latin America. Furthermore, there is the problem of efficiency and how “green” wind turbines really are. Rosenbloom’s (2006) report about the technicalities of wind power indicated that coals, a large contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, are being used in order to make up for the wind turbines’ failures. In addition to this issue, is the fact that a wind turbine is not as efficient if it stands solitary. In other words, hectares of land would be needed to make sure that a number of households and companies are supplied with power in an appreciable amount. This can affect the agricultural sector since the land formerly used for planting is now used for wind farms. Although much have been enumerated about the disadvantages of wind power, fact remains that it is one of the environment-friendly options along with solar energy, compared to other energy sources. A great environmental dilemma is therefore ahead of humankind. Potent damages of the environment were made that nature advocates could not tolerate even the tiniest bit of toxic or other harmful factors that may affect the environment. To stop improvement in terms of business and convenience seems to be the only way of resolving nature’s nightmares; but this also, is a product of daydreaming. Conclusions Environment’s total recovery is mankind’s mission impossible, at least for a significant period of time. Renewable energy resources have been made available for the people to use. However, each renewable resource has its own pros and cons in terms of budget management and safety. One challenging task for environmental advocates is to produce a 100% reliable and safe renewable energy. For the mean time, resorting to the safest possible option of renewable energy, such as the wind power, is the wisest decision to make. References Brahic, C. (2008, Aug. 25). Wind turbines make bat lungs explode. New Scientist. Retrieved from http://www.newscientist.com/article/ dn14593-wind-turbines-make-bat-lungs-explode.html Bryce, R. (2010). Power hungry: The myths of "green" energy and the real fuels of the future. New York: Public Affairs. Cane, D. (2010). Advantages of wind power: What are the benefits of wind power? Retrieved from http://uberarticles.com/home-and-family/ advantages-of-wind-powerwhat-are-the-benefits-of-wind-power Davis, J., & Davis, J. (2007). Noise pollution from wind turbines: Living with amplitude modulation, lower frequency emissions and sleep deprivation. Retrieved from http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wp-content/ uploads/davis-noisepollutionfromturbines.pdf Energy Resource Center of Wisconsin. (n.d.). Wind power and the environment. Retrieved from http://www.ecw.org/ecwresults/433-3.pdf Gallant, P. (2009, Apr. 21). Going green without disrupting the environment. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/16/ f-energy-wind-power.html Layton, J. (n.d.). How wind power works. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm Newman, M. (2010). Wind farm wildlife fears prompt formal objections from RSPB. Retrieved from http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/2010/wind-farm-rspb-21-12-10.php Redlinger, R.Y., Andersen, P.D., Morthorst, P.E. & United Nations Environment Programme. (2002). Wind energy in the 21st Century: Economics, policy, technology, and changing electricity industry. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Rosenbloom, E. (2006). A problem with wind power. In AWEO. Retrieved from http://www.aweo.org/problemwithwind.html White, D.J. (2004). Danish wind: Too good to be true? The UTILITIES Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wind-watch.org/documents/ wp-content/uploads/White-DenmarkTooGood.pdf Read More