Cape Wind; America's First Offshore Wind Farm Moves Ahead

The Cape Wind Project has received federal approval to move forward, initiating what will be the nation's very first offshore wind farm. The project, which will power an incredible 200,000 homes, has been delayed and challenged intermittently for years, but has finally received approval to enter into the construction phase of the project. The wind farm will be located near Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts.

The project is not without its critics, however. Environmental groups argue that the project will harm what they consider a pristine ecosystem outside of Nantucket. The argument is similar to those which have arisen during proposals for large scale solar farms in the American Southwest, where concerns have arisen over the impact they may have on regional ecosystems.

This kind of argument, while not necessary invalid, is hard to wrap a pragmatic mind around. While I truly do understand the ethical and environmental problems associated with energy development of the kinds discussed here, it is foolhardy to suggest that they ought not be developed under the auspices of absolute environmental preservation. Unless we are too give up energy consumption completely there will never be an energy source which is entirely environmentally neutral. What is important is to choose the option on the positive end of the spectrum. Wind and solar farms do not contribute to climate change, do not pollute the air and water and can over time be developed to have as little environmental impact as possible. Coal consumption contributes greatly to air and water pollution, human health problems, climate change (which itself is a far greater threat to species around the planet than any disruption created by wind and solar farms) and socioeconomic depression. It is not merely foolish to oppose such projects with their limited environmental impact, but it is irresponsible. It is the imperative of our generation to change the way that we use energy, which is at the heart of nearly every environmental problem and potential solution. Opposition to the development of alternatives on absolutist grounds is not just irresponsible, it borders on being anti-environment.