With the growing demand for products and services that are more beneficial to the environment in which we live, the “green initiative” and demand for sustainable energy is becoming the focus for many foreign and domestic businesses. Due to an exponential population growth1, and a greater rate of new development in many countries, the demand for energy worldwide is undoubtedly growing.

Presented with a steady increase in demand, and a near stagnant growth of supply, the world is facing an energy crisis that provides hardships for the operations of businesses worldwide in addition to financial struggles for all societies. Given the current energy crisis, the world as a whole has been forced to explore and research innovative ideas to supplement the supply of energy.

Through the years, their have been many new ideas and processes introduced that helped with the supply of energy. However, no one, singular source has been able to establish itself as a dominant and reliable source of energy.

As opposed to discovering or developing energy sources that provide a temporary fix, the majority of attention has been focused on energy sources that can be replenished through natural processes. These energy sources are called sustainable energy sources, and they serve two purposes: one, sustainable energy sources are nearly limitless and infinite, and two, the energy sources, as opposed to fossil fuels, are beneficial to the environment around.

Sustainable and environmentally clean methods of energy are becoming more important in the United States’ economic and political forums. According to the United States Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the federal government gave tax credits for certain home improvements that aided in energy efficiency last year. According to the government operated information site, “The credits were available for home improvements placed in service from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007.” In addition to that they stated that, “Tax credits were available for insulation, replacement windows, water heaters, and certain high efficiency heating and cooling equipment.”

In addition to tax credits and other benefits from the government, world-wide economies have shown great interest in providing capital to companies who pursue a more sustainable future. “Venture capital is now pouring more into clean, green technology companies. With $1.6 billion in 2005 and growing 36% annually (Henderson 124.)” At that rate, in the year that the current class of college freshman graduate, investors will provide more than 10 billion dollars of capital to businesses that are involved with producing sustainable energy2.

With more capital being invested in companies focused on sustainable energy, it is likely that the United States is on pace to have significant improvements in terms of energy dependency in the near future. Of course, the road to clean energy methods and energy independence is not as smooth as anyone would hope-there is a fair amount of opposition to the subject.

“A widespread belief, fostered by obsolete economic models, that moving to clean, post-fossil-fuel societies would cost too much, destroy jobs, and lower economic growth still hampers a needed public discussion (Henderson 125.)” While this view is still partly predominant in the United States, awareness has been drawn to the fact that a lack of embrace for the green initiative could lead to the collapse of many businesses, resulting in the loss of jobs and a poor economic environment. “In fact, many new studies show that shifting to renewable based, clean, less-polluting, and healthier societies would spur innovation, economic growth, and create millions of new jobs (Henderson 125.)”

This truly makes sense because the current market, in fear of an economic and environmental collapse, demands sustainable energy and environmentally friendly products. When the demand for these products and services is large, the result is increased profits leading to more jobs and better economic health.

Current businesses that have already established themselves in sectors of the market that are not involved with new sustainable energy-type products and services can still take steps that benefit the environment. The United States Green Building Council has come up with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)3 rating system, which is “a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings (usgbc.org.)”

With the help from LEED, all citizens, including owners of businesses can benefit from tools and design plans that allow for their facilities to be more beneficial and less harmful to the environment around. The owners or managers of buildings that earn a LEED certification can expect lower operating costs and increased asset value, a reduction in waste sent to landfills, a greater conservation of both water and energy, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (usgbc.org.)

In addition to that, buildings will be healthier and safer for occupants, while also allowing the owner to qualify for tax rebates. However, the greatest reward for attaining a LEED certification is the statement it makes to society. That statement is that the owner and their business is socially responsible by committing to the benefit of the environment (usgbc.org.)

Architects, real estate agents, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction mangers, lenders, and government officials all use LEED. In addition to that, State and local governments from across the nation are adopting the design plans from LEED for many public-owned and public-funded buildings. LEED is also expanding as projects are currently underway in 41 different countries (usgbc.org.)

This sustainability revolution can be summarized in terms of four core parts. These parts, described as the core of contemporary sustainability include ecology and environment, economy and employment, equity and equality, and finally education (Edwards 21.) Previously, there has been discussion on two of the key core subjects within sustainability, ecology and environment, and economy and employment. The other major concept of sustainability worthy of discussion is the idea of equity and equality.

The equity and equality aspect builds the idea of sustainable energy up to a worldwide community status. “Community-building recognizes the importance of cooperation and concern for ones neighbor…Social cohesion, compassion and tolerance are more likely to thrive in an environment where all members of the community feel that their contribution to the whole is appreciated (Edwards 23.)”

The idea of sustainable energy allows anyone with new and innovative ideas to step up and thrive for the benefit of mankind. It allows individuals to be able to work together to achieve something that affects everyone on a daily basis. Because the energy crisis effects or will effect everyone in some way is precisely the reason why it is such an important issue.

Despite arguments from opposition, the solutions to the crisis are real and will be in place sometime in the not so distant future. With demand and desire, comes investors with capital, imaginative minds with plans, and leaders with the desire to establish a global community for the benefit of all.

The remainder of this paper will focus on one specific source of renewable energy that has a future that expands far beyond the most vast oilfields in Texas-wind. There will be discussion of the pros and cons of wind farming, and also an attempt to explain why wind energy is one of the most valuable sources for attaining a global community that remains focused on sustainable energy.

Wind, in short, is a horizontal difference in pressure created by an uneven distribution of thermal energy on the surface and at all levels of the atmosphere on Earth. The act of converting wind into energy is called Wind Farming. This process works by propelling large rotating turbines4 with the wind, while gaining energy with each rotation.

It is estimated that the first wind turbine was established and used nearly two thousand years ago. It is believed that at that time the Chinese were using vertical-axis windmills to pump irrigation water to their fields (Hurst-Kovarik-Pipher 1.) The question becomes, that if people were using wind as a main source of energy two thousand years ago, then why are we not using it as a main source today?

One clear answer is that it is far easier to use the system of burning fossil-fuels that is already in place today. Prior to and during the initial expansion and development of the modern world, it was easier and economically beneficial to use fossil-fuels as the main source of energy. As time runs out and supply runs low, awareness is raised to the issue and plans for alternative energy sources are made.

The times have changed and people in today’s world have lived through and adapted to a system based on non-sustainable energy. As awareness for the energy problem continues to grow, people in today’s world will also soon see the transition from the system they were raised on, into a system of energy that is provided by sustainable and potentially everlasting sources.

The unique aspect to the idea behind wind-driven energy is the simplicity and knowledge of how it works. “Worldwide wind patterns are profoundly altered over land areas. Each major land area has its unique wind patterns which result from factors that control the general climatic pattern of the area (Hurst-Kovarik-Pipher 36.)” For years, research has been done to determine predictability for wind in terms of both, whether or not wind will be present, and how strong and sustained the wind will be5.

Researchers took into account many factors including latitude, shape and size of the land area, costal and inland water distribution, and the topography of the land area (Hurst-Kovarik-Pipher 36.) Researchers have found many areas across the United States that provide the right environment to create sustainable, consistent wind, suitable for providing significant amounts of wind powered energy6. Land areas that tend to provide the most wind are mountainous regions like the Rocky Mountains, and costal regions.

While the plan seems simple-research where the wind blows most often, build wind turbines to harness the energy, and voila!-however, there are other issues that halt these plans. In situations involving the construction of wind turbines,” Social issues abound on a more personal level…Whenever you install a wind system, some other person or group of persons living or working nearby will react (Park 155.)”

In most cases, the reaction one will receive to these situations is one that is not welcoming. Common complaints about the establishment of wind turbines include the noise, the destruction of land, and the potential hazards towards birds and animals. Also, since many of the areas suitable for the construction of wind turbines occur in areas with beautiful scenic views, an additional complaint is the destruction of those views.

“The legal issues involved in owning a wind power system cover two important areas-your rights and your obligations. You have certain rights, granted by law, that can be obtained by agreement or contract or that come automatically with land ownership…your obligations are to protect the health, safety, and welfare of others (Park 151.)” The main struggle with the development of wind turbine and wind farming systems is the legal issues that stem from many different areas. Issues concerning the ownership of land rights, issues with the moral grounds of eminent domain, and issues with insurance all provide significant amounts of opposition to the development of wind energy farming areas.

One potential solution to this apparent road block is the idea of offshore wind turbines7. “Along coastal regions under clear daytime skies, the temperature of the land will rise while the temperature of the water will remain relatively constant. The warm land heats the air above it, and as the air above becomes less dense it rises. The cooler air over the water moves over the land to replace the rising warm air, and circulation is established (Hurst-Kovarik-Pipher 37.)” This circulation is most commonly known as the sea breeze effect8, and is the main reason why costal areas tend to be constantly breezy.

While development of both onshore and offshore wind farms could help with the current energy crisis, there is a tendency for investors to lean towards investing into offshore wind farms. This is due to the fact that there is already an example of a large offshore-wind-farm project in the European country of Denmark.

Additionally, the legal issues surrounding the development of offshore wind farms tend to be less than those arising from onshore wind farms, and there is belief that offshore areas can provide the most suitable environment for constant sustained and powerful wind.

While wind driven energy is only one of many examples of energy sources that would be more beneficial to environment than fossil-fuels. It has the potential to play a major role in the sustainable energy market. As the demand becomes greater for products and services that are environmentally beneficial and sustainable in nature, the demand for the production of wind turbines for wind farming will increase.

The world is at a point where awareness for the current energy crisis is at a maximum. The world is also at a point where there are many investors willing to take the risk in adopting the ideas of those willing to make an impact for centuries to come. While the opposition may at times seems fierce, the benefits from years of research and design will soon get a chance to make its mark on history. The World has reached a point where the benefits for all outweigh the petty excuses, and that leads us one step closer to a world-wide sustainable, environmentally friendly community.

Works Cited

Edwards, Andres R. “The Sustainability Revolution.” New Society Publishers: Gabriola Island, BC, Canada; 2005.

Ewing, Rex A. “Power with Nature.” PixyJack Press: Masonville, CO; 2003.

Henderson, Hazel. “Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy.” Chelsea Green Publishing: White River Junction, VT; 2006.

Hurst, John; Kovarik, Tom; Pipher, Charles. “Wind Energy: The Generation, Storage and Conservation of Wind Power for Practical Use Today.” Domus Books: Northbrook, IL; 1979.

Kraushaar, Jack J.; Ristinen, Robert A. “Energy and the Environment.” John Wiley and Sons: New York; 1999.

Park, Jack. “The Wind Power Book.” Cheshire Books: Palo Alto, CA; 1981.

United States Green Building Council. Online at usgbc.org.

1 As of 5 pm on March 26, 2008: The estimated World population is 6,659,269,641.

2 See a graphical analysis of this estimation on Supplemental Page I

3 Composed in 1998, LEED and The annual U.S. market in green building products and services was more than $7 billion in 2005, $12 billion in 2007 and projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010 (usbgc.org.)

4 See Supplemental Page II for pictorial example.

5 For a chart illustrating the amount of power output versus wind speed on a typical wind turbine, see supplemental page III (Ewing 137.)

6 For a U.S. map of areas with these environments, see supplemental page IV.

7 For a pictorial example, see supplemental page V

8 For a pictorial example, see supplemental page VI