Joy of the Month - MARCH ~ CELEBRATE WIND POWER

http://LightDancing.gaia.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:21:05 GMT

Cross Posted (literally) from my Blog by Dryad

The Wind

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies’ skirts across the grass—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song:

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Who Has Seen the Wind?

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

(Christina Georgina Rossetti)

There are multiple huge wind turbines standing in the harbor in Copenhagen. They are strangely beautiful, standing there in the cold bluegray water spinning their slim, yet massive blades. I was amazed that I did not find them intrusive or distracting at all as I looked out over the harbor, just fascinating and lovely, like slim white dancers spinning on the edge of the horizon. Denmark's wind generation provides about 12-15% of total electricity demand in the country, with many offshore windfarms. Denmark plans to increase wind energy's contribution to as much as half of its electrical supply. Copenhagen also burns every bit of their combustible garbage. The energy from this burning is used to heat water which is pumped through the streets of Copenhagen, where it is used as energy in homes and businesses. Between the wind power and the heated water, Copenhagen is reaching its goal of being energy independent. The estimate is that all of Denmark will be energy, and oil, independent by the year 2020. Gasoline costs $7.50 a gallon, but electricity for cars is very afordable, because of government incentives. If you were buying a new car in Denmark, what would you buy?

We must find a way to make our world better and safer for our children. One such way is to decrease our dependence on oil and gasoline. Not just foreign oil, but all oil. There are clean, safe, energy alternatives that are not being used to their potential. Investigate Wind Power, Solar Power and other alternative forms. Trade in that big gas guzzler and get a small hybrid. Reduce. Recycle. Reuse. Think Green. Live Green. It is the only way our planet will survive. Petition the government about everything from global warming to finding, encouraging, demanding forms of clean energy, renewable energy. Many cities in the US still do not even have a recycling program. Copenhagen is running their city on hot water from their recycled garbage. If Denmark can do it, so can we.

The following poem was written for Kindergarten aged students. It applies all the way through, however. Clean, renewable energy is possible. We must demand that it be the standard we live by.

WIND POWER

Though we cannot see the wind
The wind is full of power
A whole house can be run on
The power from just one tower!
The wind can be our helper
It’s an excellent solution
Because wind power is very clean
It causes no pollution
Wind power is now at work
In harbor and in field
The turbines are called ‘wind farms’
Because wind is what they yield!
Everyone can use the wind
Wind power is very do-able
The wind will always be there
Energy that’s renewable!

©Edwina Peterson Cross

This is the best web site I have found on wind power. It is from the Danish Wind Industry, who ought to know, since they manufacture most of the wind turbines for the world.
http://www.windpower.org/en/core.htm

DENMARK IS GREEN. Economically support a country that not only talks the talk about energy conservation, but walks the walk as well. Buy Havarti Cheese, Lego, Tuborg Beer, Carlsberg Beer, Aalborg Aquavit (snaps), Dansco Shoes (which are the best shoes in the world. I don't wear anything else.) http://buydanish.home.comcast.net/products.htm

Did anyone notice the FUN FACT on the first painting? The birds that are flying around with the kites? They are Kites!

Tagged with: Wind Power, March, Kites, Who Has Seen the Wind?, Robert Louis Stevenson, Christina Rossetti, Copenhagen, Denmark, Energy, Decrease Oil Dependence, Solar Power, Alternative Power, Hybrid Cars, Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Think Green, Live Green

Gaia: JOY SOULutions: Enjoy, Share & Inspire - JOY of The Week/Month - Joy of the Month - MARCH ~ CELEBRATE WIND POWER

Joy of the Month - MARCH ~ CELEBRATE WIND POWER