Renewable Energy - Wind Power!

Earth Day is April 22nd!

Since the Nuclear disaster in Japan, renewable energy sources are on everyone's mind more than ever. The most popular being WIND. Wind power seems like a no brainer, right? Is it possible that there are CONS to the natural resource of WIND? Yes, and what we need to figure out is if the good outweighs the bad. 

THE GOOD

1. In a new society, where finding a job is like finding a needle in a haystack, Wind Farms would generate many "green" employment opportunities.
2. Wind is non-polluting...keeping our air and water clean.
3. Wind is a free resource...excluding the initial cost to build, install, and maintain. Energy would be cheaper for the consumer.
4. Wind is a domestic source...making us less dependent, more secure and more stable.

THE BAD

1. Wind power can only be generated when the wind is blowing. So, a backup energy source would be needed.
2. The lives of our feathered friends could be at risk. Plans to build would/should take into consideration the path that birds use to migrate.
3. Anti wind groups have estimated that wind turbines COULD use 300 times more land than conventional power plants.
4. Wind turbines are easy targets for lightening damage.
5. Noise...wind turbines are most noisy when the wind speed is low.

So, do the PROS outweigh the CONS?? Would you invest in wind power??

Just a thought with some humor behind it...maybe Willow Smith is onto something...we could just have our kids generate wind power. Could there be any CONS to that?? They seem to enjoy whipping their hair back and forth! 

The Weeping Willow Tree

Here in the northeast, we're waiting patiently for Spring to finally arrive. After a long, cold, snowy, winter, it just hasn't come quick enough. When you think of Spring, what is the first thing that come to mind?? For me, it's the buds on the trees. I anxiously wait for the buds to turn into green leaves...natures shade from the hot sun. My favorite tree has always been the Weeping Willow....HUGE...Her branches wide and comforting...Majestic yet elegant. Growing up in Massachusetts, I spent many a day playing underneath the Weeping Willow that stood behind the church down the street from my house. It's funny, I don't see many Weeping Willows anymore...I'm not sure why? Maybe the reason is that they can be a nuisance when it comes to drainage, pipes, and sewerage because of their aggressive roots. I've learned that Weeping Willows are best planted by the water because they can be problematic. That aside, let me list a few FANTASTICAL things about the Weeping Willow tree...

Willows contain Salicin...Salicin resembles aspirin and was used in ancient times to relieve fever and pain.

Willows are used to manufacture such items as furniture, wicker baskets, dolls, brooms, and tool handles amongst many other things.

The charcoal used in artists sketches, are made from willows.

The normal height of a Weeping Willow is 40 ft. but can grow to be 70ft high!!

Now the real cool stuff...

Weeping Willows, because of their large, strong root system...in the wild, act as a natural water filtering system. Their roots capture polluted water and filter out the toxins...leaving fresh, clean water.

Lastly, Willows are being used as Biomass...a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source!!!Read more about SUNY-ESF's  Willow Biomass Project located in Syracuse, NY.

So, what's YOUR favorite tree???