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Wind Turbines: Pros and Cons- What do you think?
TORONTO – Wind has emerged (become) as a natural super power as Canada continues to develop more environmentally friendly sources of energy.
The increase in popularity has sparked (created) a debate (a discussion where two sides don’t agree) about the impact of wind as a reliable (can count on it) source of energy.
While some advocates (people who are for something) argue it’s a clean and green way to meet Canada’s power demands, critics say wind farms and the towering turbines that “dot the landscape” (are spread out) contribute to a host (a number) of health, environmental and economical ($) problems.
What the advocates (people for Wind Turbines) say…
Cheap and clean: Wind power is a clean, free and renewable source of energy. Plus, more wind power may mean the country can move away from so-called ‘dirty’ sources of energy production like coal and oil from the tarsands (where oil is found).
It’s available: Our vast (large) landscape and gusty coastlines have untapped (not yet used) potential to produce more wind power.
Supply matches demand: The wind is typically most powerful in colder weather, meaning Canada’s coldest months, generally December to March, have great wind power generating potential. They’re also among the months where energy consumption is at its highest demand.
Proven potential: Wind energy currently powers over one million homes in Canada, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
Preservation power: Wind energy offsets (lessens) emissions from other energy sources and preserves (saves) precious (valuable) water resources. The Canadian Wind Energy Association estimates powering more than 200 homes with wind energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,000 tonnes, the equivalent (equal to) of planting 10,000 trees or taking over 400 cars off the road.
What the opponents (People against Wind Turbines) say…
Flora and fauna: Ecosystems could be damaged or destroyed by wind turbine construction. Migrating birds could be at risk, as well as other animals that live near lands evacuated (displaced) for wind farm construction.
Health problems: Residents living near wind turbines reported symptoms (feelings) such as dizziness, headaches and sleep disturbance, according to a 2010 report by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on the impact of wind turbines. The scientific evidence (proof) available could not actually link the disturbance (problem) to adverse (bad) health effects.
Noise pollution: Low-frequency noise emitted (coming from) from the rotating blades of wind turbines has been the subject of numerous (many) scientific reviews. While the noise can annoy some residents and reportedly sicken others living near wind farms, evidence is not sufficient (not important enough) enough to link the noise to hearing impairment (reduction in ability).
Devaluation: Local property values could be negatively impacted by wind farms in close proximity to homes as residents grapple (deal with) with health concerns (perceived (thought by person, their own judgement) or confirmed (doctor has agreed or diagnosed), the visual distraction of unsightly turbines and the loss of undeveloped surrounding lands.
It’s unreliable: Wind turbines move intermittently, not 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While some argue this makes wind power an unreliable as a source of energy, others say that enough turbines connected through a grid could provide a stable output (constant output without interruptions).
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.
QUESTION: Would you support more wind turbines being placed around London? Why or why not? Please explain based on the information presented here and your own personal thoughts and feelings. You have the option to do this on your Chrome account
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