wind+energy+(Austin+Severson)

__What is wind energy?__ - Wind energy is a converted form of solar energy. When the suns radiation heats different parts of the earth, like water and land, this causes the temperature of the atmosphere to rise and fall. hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure of the earth. When the hot air rises the cool air comes in to replace it, this is wind.

__What problems does it address?__ - There are many problems that wind energy addresses. One is that it is a clean way of producing electricity, rather than burning fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere and cause global warming. Wind energy also addresses the problem of running out of natural resources. We can run out of wood and coal, one thing we can never run out of is wind. As long as there is wind we will be able to produce energy by using wind turbines. //Burning fossil fuels pollutes the atmosphere and mining for fossil fuels such as coal destroys the landscape of our planet and destroys animals habitats.//

__When is it useful?__ - Wind energy is always useful, it is just like any other source of energy except that it has virtually no drawbacks and does not harm the environment. Wind energy does not deplete natural resources or harm the environment by taking natural resources out of the earth or destroying habitats.

__How does the topic relate to one or more of the nutrient cycles (Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Water) discussed in class? explain__ -Wind energy relates to phosphorous cycle. When the sediment and rocks of the earth are moved from the land to the ocean or water, there is a number of occurences that can help make eroison happen. Some of the things that help eroison happen are volcanoes, earthquakes, and wind. Wind erodes soil and rocks by picting up dust particles and moving them into streams and bodies of water. The phosphorous can then be used by the alge and fish in the ocean.

__Is it a viable solution to protect the biosphere? explain.__ - yes, wind energy is a viable solution to protect the biosphere. We are polluting our atmosphere and causing global warming to happen at an alarming rate. With wind energy there is nothing that pollutes or hurts the environment when energy is being produced. The only thing that is being harmed may be some birds that are killed by the blades of the turbines. This does not effect the biosphere because not enough birds will die to effect the species of birds.

//Wind Turbines produce clean energy.//

__What are the possiblw consequences to the environment?__ - Wind energy does not produce anything that harms the environment, it only produces energy. Since the energy is produces by three large blades turning, there are some birds that will be killed from being hit by the blades. Even though the turbines will kill a few birds every year, it is worth it. To have a clean never ending source of power is worth the risk of losing a few birds every year. media type="youtube" key="eXejxcW-XGo" height="360" width="445" //This video explains how a wind turbine works and how it collects the energy from the wind.//

__Works Cited__ Wind energy basics. Retrieved October 19, 2009, from american wind energy association Web site: http://www.awea.org/faq/wwt_basics.html