Earlier this year The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) posted a news article titled "Environmental Impacts of Wind Power". The UCS did a great job in evaluating the pros and cons of wind power and provided factual data supported by credible sources. While the article goes into detail why wind power is a great source of renewable energy, it also lists current issues that must be overcome in order to further enhance the technology. The UCS was able to establish their credibility and logical consistency throughout the news article while considering the needs of the audience.
The UCS shows why wind technology is important to the nation by laying out some knowledge. Each year, the United States requires more energy to power products and devices that are used in commercial, industrial, and recreational settings. This increase in energy consumption requires more energy to be locally produced. With the shift toward a lesser impact on the environment, the energy sector is shifting from traditional fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. However, all energy sources have some form of environmental impact. While it is true that fossil fuels cause a larger environmental footprint than renewable sources, it is important to understand the environmental impacts associated with generating power from renewable sources. This impact varies based on the type of technology utilized and geographic location.
The news article describes that wind power has been gradually added to the United States’ energy profile for the last two decades and due to advancements in technology and the increasing cost of energy today, described why wind power is quickly becoming a more prominent source of renewable energy. The logos of the article convinces the audience that harnessing wind power is a clean and sustainable way to generate electricity since no hazardous byproducts are produced. Wind is plentiful and inexhaustible which makes it an effective alternative to fossil fuels. While wind energy is a step in the right direction, there are many environmental impacts associated with power generation from wind that must be understood and alleviated.
The news article describes that wind power has been gradually added to the United States’ energy profile for the last two decades and due to advancements in technology and the increasing cost of energy today, described why wind power is quickly becoming a more prominent source of renewable energy. The logos of the article convinces the audience that harnessing wind power is a clean and sustainable way to generate electricity since no hazardous byproducts are produced. Wind is plentiful and inexhaustible which makes it an effective alternative to fossil fuels. While wind energy is a step in the right direction, there are many environmental impacts associated with power generation from wind that must be understood and alleviated.
The UCS is able to integrate pathos into the article by discussing that land is impacted by the wind power generating facilities. Since the turbine is located above the surface of the earth the only part of wind facilities that impact the earth is the base, roads, and transmission lines. Since wind turbines mostly directly affect farmers and ranchers, the UCS is able to discuss logical solutions. Wind farms can be strategically placed to minimize loss of land and productivity. For example, "A survey conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of large wind facilities in the United Sates found that they use between 30 and 141 acres per megawatt of power output capacity. However, less than 1 acre per megawatt is disturbed permanently."
The article uses more pathos by showing the impact of wind turbines on wildlife. In order to minimize the technological impact on the environment, research has been conducted to determine how wind facilities directly affect wildlife. Due to the spacing and features of wind turbines, habitat has been mostly unchanged. Ethos is established by providing the results of research that has been conducted. A study done by the National Wind Coordinating Committee found that in some locations, an increased number of bat and bird deaths have been reported. Fortunately, these impacts pose no serious threat to populations of species. Logos is also included to show that engineers are designing wind farms to minimize the impact on nature. To reduce the number of wildlife incidents, careful consideration must be taken in determining the best location for wind facilities.
The UCS shows more pathos by demonstrating that important engineering considerations in the design of the wind turbines to positively affect the public in health and safety. The two most common concerns are the visual impact and sound associated with operating these large mechanical devices. Individuals that live in close proximity to wind facilities have complained about the sound. According to government sponsored studies in Canada and Australia, these concerns do not adversely affect public health. Although safe, engineers continue to exercise good practices in order to satisfy those closely affected by sound. Advances in technology are minimizing blade issues and are using sound reducing materials in designs to better quell people’s concerns.
The article continues to use logos and pathos by informing the audience that engineers all across the globe are reviewing these concerns and are designing newer and better wind facilities. Wind farms are being placed on farmland and pastures in remote areas that can support the network of facilities. These areas can continue to be nearly one hundred percent productive. The intrinsic values imbued within these marvelous apparatuses make them valuable to all while alleviating the environmental impact that people have on the world. The UCS wrote an effective article on the importance of wind turbines and where technology is moving while convincing the audience why.
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