Page 16 - PT-Spring-2021

Astrid Nordfjell

Wind power

Tapping into another God-given energy source

n May 2019, the UK became the very first have yet to gain access to this source of energy. As the
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country in the world to officially declare an earth’s population grows, the world is at a crossroads and
Ienvironment and climate emergency. And the must find other ways of meeting the ever-increasing energy
following month, the UK became the first major demands. And industry experts believe that wind power
could meet this need by providing a third of the world’s
economy to commit to net zero emissions by energy by 2050.
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2050. 1 And here in the UK, the government has presented a Photo Credit: istockphoto.com/nautilus_shell_studios
Since then, around two thirds of the world’s 10-point action plan for a green industrial revolution, to reach
countries have pledged the same. And as the the 2050 target – the very first action point is to advance
world embarks on the mammoth shift away from offshore wind. 4
oil and gas dependency, Astrid explores wind Wind – one of the sun’s benefits
power – one of the main energy sources to help Although the UK might not be known as the sunniest spot
bridge the gap to a climate neutral earth. in the world, did you know that it is one of the windiest
countries in Europe? In the previous issue of The Plain
A green industrial revolution Truth, we explored some of the benefits of the sun – of
Since the 18 century, burning fossil fuels such as oil which the wind
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and gas, is recognised as a primary factor in adding 39% is one. Without
more carbon to our atmosphere. And together with other the sun there
greenhouse gases, more heat is being trapped in the would be no wind.
atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. Let me explain.
And because of a warming planet, extreme weather Because of
events are becoming more and more frequent and intense. mountains, hills,
As a result, flooding, environmental destruction, and valleys, oceans
displacement of peoples are increasing across the planet. and a tilting
Not to mention, the impact of lost homes, livelihoods, and planet, the sun
human lives. heats the surface
Long-time natural historian and broadcaster, Sir David of the earth
Attenborough, has witnessed the effects and consequences unevenly. Now this creates different temperatures in the
of the so-called ‘human footprint’. In his most recent BBC air, as well as different densities and weights.
documentary, A Perfect Planet, he gives a grave warning Cold air is thicker and heavier than warm air, which is
that things are set to get a lot worse, unless drastic action is why warm air rises. And as it does, cooler air moves in, to
taken by governments and peoples everywhere. balance things out. And wind on the move contains energy,
More than 7 billion people on earth are using electricity which can be turned into electricity. On 26 December
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in one form or another, while around 770 million people last year, the strong winds of Storm Bella allowed the UK
Photo Credit: istockphoto.com/serts

16 The Plain Truth Spring 2021 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk