Windmills at Sunset...

"Windmills at Sunset"
Mt. Cardigan, Orange NH

Like many I have mixed emotions about the installation of wind turbines along the mountainous ridgelines of New England. But there is no question that we can’t keep consuming and burning fossil fuels at the rate we have been since the beginning of the industrial revolution. I believe global warming is a fact and we have to act now to try and roll back its negative impact on the environment.

While many will protest and try to block these kinds of projects on the basis of various environmental and visual impacts I think the tough reality is that we need to come to accept that these kinds of projects… if well managed and thoughtfuly placed… are necessary to the future well being of the planet and society.

We have seen that some early alternatives to fossil fuel usage such as nuclear power carry simply unacceptable potential dangers. Three Mile Island (TMI-2) and Chernobyl (Pripyat - Reactor 4) are just two examples of what could have actually been much greater human and environmental disasters. Thirty one people died as a direct result of fighting to contain the fires and radiation at Chernobyl… and the human, environmental and economic impact of that accident are still being felt a generation later.

And the economic impact (both positive and negative) on different countries around the world due to the volatility of fossil fuel prices can make or break economies overnight creating hardship and an unclear future for many.

So in my opinion… as individuals and as a society... we need to make some tough choices as to our energy future. Yes, wind-farms and solar arrays may be considered unwelcome intruders on the landscape of New England and many regions across the world. But I believe until we find a "better" answer... they are better than the alternative.