Offshore Wind Farm In Nantucket Sound
Cape Wind
Environmental Science
The purpose of this research paper is to identify the environmental impact of the purposed offshore wind farm going in the Nantucket Sound located in Massachusetts. Key environmental issues will be discussed based on the effects of other wind farms from around the world. Government officials, organizations, and people who oppose the wind farm will also be discussed or how these people are trying to prevent this wind farm from being constructed.
Technology, pollution, and human consumption are what will always continue to change the appearance and structure of our planet. People in today’s society always seem to shy away from the consequences of human consumption of earth’s natural resources …show more content…
Take for example, in a 2009 report put out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, articulates wind turbines in the United States may kill up to 440,000 birds per years (Lee 368). This is undoubtedly a broad number to deal with, but it helps to portray the significant effect these massive machines may have on animals. Because so many companies are beginning to switch to “clean energy”, the demand for wind energy is significantly increasing, therefore the result may lead to more clean energy, but also more bird …show more content…
Sound levels were taken during the construction of the five offshore wind farms in the U.K., and it was found that there were two areas in which whales may be adversely impacted; area of noise injury and area of behavioral effect. Physical injury of the whales could occur within 100 meters of the wind farm (Bennet 5.0). It is a misleading notion if people believe there is little to no whale activity within the Nantucket Sound and surrounding Cape Cod waters. According to a recent article published in the Boston Globe, it was said that mariners are being asked to slow down around Nantucket after eight endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted near the island on Friday. In the Cape Cod Times, another reliable newspaper, an article was also published summarizing that there has been a record spring for right whales, with over 200 right whales spotted off Cape Cod over the past few weeks (2011). With many protection agencies created since the late 20th century, the whale population have finally began to increase in size. Why risk creating another potential threat to an animal that is now beginning to increase in
Environmental Science
The purpose of this research paper is to identify the environmental impact of the purposed offshore wind farm going in the Nantucket Sound located in Massachusetts. Key environmental issues will be discussed based on the effects of other wind farms from around the world. Government officials, organizations, and people who oppose the wind farm will also be discussed or how these people are trying to prevent this wind farm from being constructed.
Technology, pollution, and human consumption are what will always continue to change the appearance and structure of our planet. People in today’s society always seem to shy away from the consequences of human consumption of earth’s natural resources …show more content…
Take for example, in a 2009 report put out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, articulates wind turbines in the United States may kill up to 440,000 birds per years (Lee 368). This is undoubtedly a broad number to deal with, but it helps to portray the significant effect these massive machines may have on animals. Because so many companies are beginning to switch to “clean energy”, the demand for wind energy is significantly increasing, therefore the result may lead to more clean energy, but also more bird …show more content…
Sound levels were taken during the construction of the five offshore wind farms in the U.K., and it was found that there were two areas in which whales may be adversely impacted; area of noise injury and area of behavioral effect. Physical injury of the whales could occur within 100 meters of the wind farm (Bennet 5.0). It is a misleading notion if people believe there is little to no whale activity within the Nantucket Sound and surrounding Cape Cod waters. According to a recent article published in the Boston Globe, it was said that mariners are being asked to slow down around Nantucket after eight endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted near the island on Friday. In the Cape Cod Times, another reliable newspaper, an article was also published summarizing that there has been a record spring for right whales, with over 200 right whales spotted off Cape Cod over the past few weeks (2011). With many protection agencies created since the late 20th century, the whale population have finally began to increase in size. Why risk creating another potential threat to an animal that is now beginning to increase in