Activity 3.2.3 – Alternative Energy: Wind Energy

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Alternate Energy - Alternate energy is another name for renewable energy. Alternate energy is solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass because it can regenerate quickly. Alternate energy are resources that industrialized countries usually don't rely on but instead use fossil fuels. 

Arguments for Alternate Energy: 

There are several reasons for using alternate energy. The first reason is it allows us to stop relying on fossil fuels because fossil fuels are non-renewable resource and once they are used up, they are no longer available. Most renewable energy creates zero greenhouse emissions.  Another reason to get into more alternate energy is to become less energy dependent on other nations and could boost the economy by created more jobs through manufacturing, and installations. I believe wind should be the most sought out renewable resource because you can put them just about anywhere. Wind is a renewable resource that uses wind to generate electricity 

Advantages of Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines do not create air or water pollution and has no need for water to cool anything down. Since wind turbines are relatively small regarding their footprint and they tend to be placed on crop fields, ranches pastures, forest, and coastal areas. They also bring in an extra income for farmers and ranchers, which allows the farmers, and ranchers to keep their land from being poached for commercial use. You can also place them in remote places along the Appalachian Mountains instead of using mountain top removal to extract coal for energy in where rich biodiversity is destroyed, water is contaminated, and creates a good amount of air pollution.  

Disadvantages of Wind Turbines

There are several disadvantages when it comes to wind turbines. First there is a considerable amount of noise pollution for animals, and humans that live near them. Wind turbines have also killed birds and bats if the wind turbines are in their migratory path. Some wind turbines have caught on fire, and some of them have leaked lubricants into the environment but is considered to be rare. 

Cited Work: 

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.

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-renewable-energy-benefits-and-resources.

Energy, G. D. (n.d.). Biggest influencers in wind power in Q3 2020: The top individuals to follow. Power Technology. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.power-technology.com/features/biggest-influencers-wind-power/.