FAQs
Will building wind turbines help prevent global warming?
Yes.. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important of the greenhouse
gases which are changing our climate. Electricity generation
was responsible for about 23 % of the 29.8 million tonnes of
CO2 emitted from energy sources in New Zealand in 2001.(1)
This is set to rise as coal-fired power stations are proposed
around the country.
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel, producing 72% more CO2 when
burnt than gas. If we are to avoid dangerous levels of climate
change, a phase out of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) is
necessary. That means switching to forms of energy generation
that do not produce CO2.
Wind power is a clean, renewable form of energy which, during
operation, produces no carbon dioxide. While some emissions
of these gases will take place during the design, manufacture,
transport and erection of wind turbines, enough electricity
is generated from a wind farm within a few months to totally
compensate for these emissions. When wind farms are dismantled
(usually after 20-25 years of operation) they leave no legacy
of pollution for future generation.
Given the scale of the CO2 cuts needed, wind power - as the
cheapest, most developed renewable energy technology, and
the fastest to build - is the best placed renewable technology
to deliver carbon cuts on a large scale, quickly.
Notes:
(1) www.pce.govt.nz/reports/allreports/1_877274_14_3.pdf
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