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As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the things I noticed on the way to vacation was an increased incidence of wind turbines. I had presumed that it related to the relatively constant breezes typical of many coastal environments. But maybe not.
According to a newly released study by Lawrence Berkeley Labs, the USA invested over $16 billion in wind energy last year, resulting in a 60 percent increase in this form of generating capacity. Apparently wind now powers about 2% of electrical generation in this country, including over 10% in Iowa and Minnesota. (OK, we can think of Minnesota as being on the northern coast, but the case of Iowa kind of shoots the "shore breezes" theory. Oh, well.)
Anyways, the report is worth reading. It gives an authoritative and comprehensive look at the state of the industry, and makes some very reasonable projections for the future.
On a more personal note, one of the things that I noticed while on vacation was the high incidence of gratuitous motorboats and, in sheltered waters, jet-skis.
Now, I like boats. As forms of transportation go, they're among my favorites. But one of the things that occurrs to me is that I've never really understood the attraction of motorized transportation as recreation. Motorized boats, to me, are ways of getting someplace. Like to an island. Or the other side of the river or lake. Or to where the fish are biting.
True, I like to water-ski, but I've always considered it recreation more for the skier(s) than for the boat driver.
And it's not just about driving on the water. I don't particularly understand the attraction of snowmobiling just for the sake of snowmobiling, or (similarly) motorcycling, or driving. If there's someplace I want to go or something I want to see -- fall colors jump immediately to mind for anyone in this part of the country -- then a ride/drive in the country has a purpose. Even if there's a part of the county/country/continent I haven't seen and want to get a feel for. But the mere operation of motorized equipment to no larger purpose at all strikes me as a waste of time, money, and carbon.
For some reason I don't fully understand, however, operation of non-motorized equipment can be quite enjoyable. Sailing, or canoeing, or skiing, or hiking, or horseback riding (is a horse "equipment"?).
Whatever the childhood trauma behind my recreational pattern preferences, I wonder if this has something to do with my attitudes towards sustainability. And my impatience with folks who can't conceive of cutting back on unsustainable behaviors.
I doubt that it's a major factor in my thinking, but a factor of some scale it probably is.
Thoughts? Reactions? Insights?
