Wind power has been harvested and used by people for ages. From powering ships to sail the seas to windmills that help generate power for crops and other necessities throughout civilizations, wind has been an ever-present and perfectly clean generation of energy. In modern times, wind power is becoming more popular than it has in many years, even decades.
At the time oil and coal had become the preferred source of power during the past two centuries, many people simply neglected the abundant resources that nature provides on a daily basis. This multitude of energy are not only renewable, meaning they will be provided for all the time for as long as we would need it, they are also uncontaminated. They don’t create the same harmful toxins and emissions that oil, gas, and coal produce.
In the United States, wind generation locations, known as wind farms, are ultimately starting to expand throughout the country, with the idea of providing energy for millions of families and businesses around the nation. Though this may appear important, it has been a long, slow, and frustrating journey for those who have long advocated for this advance, especially considering that many other nations in Europe have been using this wonderful green energy source.
Wind farms are popular in regions of the Southwest, through California, New Mexico, and Arizona, especially through the mountain and canyon passes, as well as along plains and valleys where wind is a consistent reminder of Mother Nature’s potential. Even though these wind turbines are impressive, they are far from having a major impact on society as a whole.
Many people have been resistant to wind power from many different sources, not the least of which has been the oil industry. But also homeowners and residents of communities planning to build wind turbines in their vicinity have been opposed to them, reminiscent of the way communities oppose the construction of prisons and cell towers and other necessity items.
Wind turbines have to be grandiose in order to generate enough power to warrant the expense and time required to build them. For some people, however, they are more of an eyesore than a benefit, especially if you realize these wind farms transport their power to cities and other metropolitan places that are hundreds of miles away.
For homeowners, though, the lease on the land can outweigh any reservations he or she may have about the size or site of them. Maybe the idea shouldn’t be about how it looks or about who will directly benefit from them but about the amazing things it can do for the environment as a whole. As the world’s population continues to climb, every person is becoming closer to their neighbors and there is a growing wish to think about future generations and what they are left with.
Wind power is just one method of renewable energy, a small piece of a more important puzzle. Yet it is such an important piece to consider.
Craig Axelrod is a partner for Emmy Energy, a Long Island solar energy operation installing solar heating tubes solar electric systems & clean products throughout the Northeast.