Activity 3.2.3 – Alternative Energy - Wind Energy

After reading chapter four of “Introduction to Environmental Science” written by Mutiti, I can define alternative energy as the use of renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels or other conventional energy sources which most industries and their countries won’t use as their primary source of energy. 

Alternative renewable energy sources can come from water, wind, solar, or biomass.  Because alternative energy uses no fossil fuels, this means that the use of alternative energy does not create greenhouse gas emissions. The use of alternative energy can be crucial to limiting harm to the enviorment.

Wind energy is a form of alternative energy. Wind power, as described in the text, is “a renewable energy source that uses the energy of moving air to generate electricity.” This process usually happens through wind turbines that when the wind touches the blades cause them to turn. The blades that are connected to a generator can then generate electricity. Wind turbines also do not release greenhouse gas emissions and don’t rely on water for cooling. Wind farms provide an extra source of income to the farmers but the wind turbines only create electricity when there is wind moving which makes this process not the main source of generating electricity and limits its use. Wind turbines also help produce noise pollution that impacts both humans and animals. A way that helps reduce noise pollution is relocating the wind turbines offshore so they don’t interfere with the population. In addition, wind turbines have also caused many deaths in birds and bats along the path of where they migrate which can cause greater problems if their species is endangered. Although, it has been proven that wind turbines make and generate much more energy than what it takes to install them. 

Overall, even though wind turbines can cause deaths in birds and bats, create noise pollution, and can only make electricity when the wind is moving, we will still benefit from the use of wind turbines because of how little they impact the environment compared to burning fossil fuels. Additionally, there are ways that have already improved and regulated noise pollution and there is research being done on how to not impact the birds and bats with the placement of wind turbines. Wind turbines also create economic sustainability for farmers which allows them to stay in business. In conclusion, wind turbines create little to no harm to the environment and are a great sustainable way to generate energy. 

References

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.