The observation of nature and the formulation of a hypothesis is the back bone of many scientific experiments today. This allows for many observers or scientists to product a conclusion based on statistical results of the phenomenal (SOURCE). The result of the scientific method has produced much technological advancement and has solved many practical problems (Bocking, 2006). Many inventions by science has given power to scientist and their work, this “authority of science” as Bocking (2006) describes it, allows power to reside in science and allows for it to be trustworthy enough to be part of many political decisions. This authority has placed a status on science as a provider of reliable knowledge (Bocking, 2006). In many environmental issues, this power of science has been readily used to reinforce environmental regulations and policy that protects both the human and environmental health. However, it can also enhance controversy by having supporting scientific data that contradict one another (Bocking, 2006). Controversy such as the impacts of wind turbines are the highlights of arguments, as counties such as Canada, move toward a sustainable society by using renewable resources. The technological advancement of wind mills to wind turbines has been largely contributed from science. This new technology has cause an uproar between two fractions. One fraction side goes against wind turbines as it has resulted in an increased of birds and bath mortality and has negative impacts to the human health (The Wind Resistance of Ontario, Unknown). The other fraction supports the use of wind turbines as it is a clean and renewable source of energy and it can reduce carbon emissions (Windfact, 2013). The use of scientific research da... ... middle of paper ... ...elopment of Noise Setbacks for Wind Farms – Requirements for Compliance with MOE Noise Limits. Ministry of the Environment Available online: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/@resources/documents/resource/stdprod_080767.pdf Pagel, E.J., Kritz, K.J., Murphy, R.K., Millsap, B.A., Covington, S., Kershner, E.L. (2013). Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Mortalities at Wind Energy Facilities in the Contiguous United States. The Rapter Reseach Foundation. 47 (3): 311 – 315 Spears, J. (2011). The spin on Ontario’s Wind Turbines. The Star. Available Online at: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/11/09/the_spin_on_ontarios_wind_turbines.html WindFacts. (2013). Why Wind Works. Available Online at: http://windfacts.ca/why-wind-works The Ontario Wind Resistance. (Unknown). Setbacks. Available Online at: http://ontario-wind-resistance.org/setbacks/
In the article “Climate of Complete Certainty” by Bret Stephens, he argues upon the topic that politicians exaggerate scientific certitude to benefit themselves. Stephens uses Clinton’s campaign loss and the climatic debate as illustrations to show that scientific fact doesn’t always give the defining factor of gains or losses. As stated by Stephens, Brexit showed the Clinton campaign that the populist tide causes a major surprise factor when determining the end result. With this example in mind, Stephens conveys that the end result strayed away from absolute certainty. Another instance in which scientific certitude is altered is within the topic of climate change.
Many people’s opinions are influenced by political leaders and their beliefs, which can have a negative effect on science’s efforts. Mere word changes have shown to make a difference in people’s willingness to pay for taxes that they don’t necessarily support or are even aware of. The use of storytelling has shown to be a powerful means in communicating science to the public as well. Although education and science understanding are not directly correlated with the acceptance of climate science, there is evidence that shows that a brief explanation of greenhouse effects “enhance acceptance across the political spectrum”. Researching source credibility has also boosted the political acceptance of certain scientific information.
McKibben’s writing style makes it difficult for readers to truly understand the argument he presents; therefore, they are gullible to accepting his opinions. McKibben embarks on a rampage in this article, seeming to continuously ramble on with concepts that fly over the average person’s head. He uses words such as “Class C forest,” “A-2 forest,” “peak-load electricity,” “geothermal drilling,” and “hydrogen sulfide emissions.” McKibben must not be thinking of his audience because for the audience to grasp his argument thoroughly he needs to define these concepts well. If he were writing for a science magazine in which his audience would be well educated in environmental issues, his writing style would be accepted. But this article appeared in Rolling Stone where the audience is not educated on these issues. His bitter and intense voice makes the reader feel as if th...
...nerations” if things go unregulated. Fortunately science provides policy makers with the information needed to make informed regulations to benefit the future. It seems that environmentalism is becoming the stewardship of the Earth.
Ehrlich, P. R., & Ehrlich, A. H. (1996). Betrayal of science and reason: How anti-environmental rhetoric threatens our future. Washington, D.C: Island Press.
Tompkins displays, in her essay’s conclusion, the necessity to “piece together the story… as best I can,” because diverging perspectives inhibit a person’s ability to find, with confidence, a purely unbiased fact about any situation (9). These kinds of quandaries exist in many modern social spheres. Although much more objective, an issue, such as climate change, relies on an individual researching and uncovering facts from various sources, just as Tompkins did. Similarly, the individual must then “[believe] this version up to a point, that version not at all, another almost entirely,” so they may move forward toward a conclusion. If they fail to move toward a conclusion, they will tarry too long at the epistemological gateway and fail to effectively address the issue, by voting in misinformed politicians or not recycling. While the environment relies on more objective and easily accessible information, it exists in clear relation to Tompkins’ dilemma. Academic uncertainty halting the important flow of social progress. However, while academic uncertainty appears to be at fault, without academic uncertainty, science and fact would not achieve the proper rigor for it to call itself fact. And, without social progress,
Nijhuis presents a series of detailed explanations that argue in favor of and against the development of wind farms. In the first portion of “Selling the Wind”, the
Palmieri, Nancy. “Off the Grid or on, Solar and Wind Power Gain.” USA Today 12 April 2006. Print.
In everyday life, there are things that one needs to survive. And sustainability problems arise every day. One such problem is energy loss. The world is using up a lot of energy and new ideas need to be formed to help the rest of the world and the future of the generations that are to follow, to survive. With that the problem is that people use up energy and they do not use it efficiently. Therefore scientists are needed to find ways to deal with the sustainability problem that is arising. That is where wind turbines are used to generate this energy but the actual wind-turbines are very large, loud and they kill birds, thus new designs need to be found in order to help energy usage and to bring the size and structure of the wind turbines to a smaller scale to prevent injuries to nature and the species around it.
Although more people are aware of the impacts we have on our environment, there are still people that choose to ignore scientific evidence, or do not fully understand the consequences. Further education and research are critical components in an effort to become more sustainable. Fortunately, younger generations are learning about the need to address environmental issues so that changes can be made to ensure our way of life is sustainable.
For these reasons, global warming stands as one of the most daunting policy issues facing our world today. This is compounded by the debate over the very existence of climate change. While countless sources of empirical evidence testify to the very real presence of climate change the world over, considerable denial of the phenomenon still exists. The argument has been made that evidence about climate change is a gross overstatement, or in some cases, a complete fabrication. Despite the evidence to the contrary, many interest groups with considerable political clout have successfully perpetuated the argument that documented changes in the environment are a product of natural cyclical changes in climate, and are not associated with human activities. However, even the acceptance of this particular brand of reality is no grounds for the disregard of environmental consciousness. Even if one accepts the premise that recent climate change is not resultant of human activity, the rationale behind environmental conservation remains ...
For many people, the noise from the turbines is unbearable, and that’s something else that should be taken into consideration.
...ave any long-term effects. This is of course different for the Atlantic Ocean. Sound Science is going to be used to avoid, minimize, and mitigate direct and indirect impacts of this project. The major habitats and environmental resources that can be impacted are seafloor habitats, coastal habitats, fishery resources, marine mammals, marine and coastal birds, and bats. The start of the building of these offshore wind turbines will disturb some species’ daily or seasonal movement patterns. Some habitats will avoid areas that have a disturbance and will never return to that area. When building these wind turbines, they should be placed as far offshore as possible, avoid sensitive areas, try not to build near areas that are already indicated by the state or federal government to have some problems, and utilize best management practices to try to minimize projects risk.
As the wind energy industry continues to grow, it will provide many job opportunities for workers and job seekers. These careers will extend beyond just the wind farm. To build and operate a wind turbine, it will take the efforts of many workers. The workers will be in factories and offices. There are construction employees, electricians, engineers, operators, gearbox makers and bla...
Deal, W. (n.d.). Wind power: An emerging energy resource.Technology & Engineering Teacher, 70(1), 9-15. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=a747d6c4-9f9f-4066-be3e-d7d26a427ef2@sessionmgr115&vid=1&hid=114&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWNvb2tpZSxpcCxjcGlkJmN1c3RpZD1zc2Mmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZlJnNjb3BlPXNpdGU=