Discussion: Wind
Energy (DUE March
6)
BEFORE answering this question, READ the TWO articles in Learning Module 2 that are posted just
before this Discussion question! One is about the cost of fossil fuels and one is about the effect of
different energy sources on bird kills.
What is your opinion of Wind Energy as a(n) (alternative?) source of energy? What are the pros and
cons? In regards to bird deaths, how does wind energy compare to other energy sources? Does
switching from fossil fuels to wind energy increase or decrease bird kills?
How do you think the hidden costs of fossil fuels (such as cost of pollution, medical/health
costs, costs to deal with climate change including increased storms, species loss, land
degradation, etc.) affect the government (or your) decision to support or not support switching to
renewable sources of energy?
Remember to receive full credit you must both answer this question well and
reply thoughtfully
to
another student's answer.
Wind Energy
I think wind energy is a great alternative source of energy. It does have its pros and cons, but I feel the pros outweigh the cons. It is
one of the best sources because it is very clean production source of energy. A con though is that there isn't always wind, and with
an energy source, there needs to be consistency because we always need energy. In regard to bird death, wind energy has fewer
deaths than other energy sources like fossil fuels, where they have the most deaths. If we switch to wind energy there will be a
decrease in bird kills even though many believe that it increases death of birds. When looking at data and comparing it to other
alternative sources of energy it is clear that wind energy would decrease bird deaths.
I strongly support switching to renewable sources of energy and I hope the government can support it especially when looking at the
hidden cost of fossil fuels. We have a pollution problem and it affects our health, which will eventually lead to medical help. Climate
change is hard to deny when looking at the increased of storms and the changes in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, I feel like the
government will take a long time to implement the switch to renewable sources of energy.
