Global Warming Effect on Wind Power, Wind Speeds
What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the increase in average temperature of the Earth over time.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by photoautotrophic action (photosynthesis) of plants is recognized as a major greenhouse gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation. Because of this, carbon dioxide is interrelated to atmospheric temperature. Plants and greenery everywhere help keep the environment cool and pleasant. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into life-giving oxygen. Cool surroundings provide cool breezes that suppress environmental warm atmosphere.
Effect of global warming on wind velocity and wind power in the US and Europe
Wind speeds have gradually slow downed over three decades across the northern hemisphere. A research study reported that the slowing wind speed is reducing up to 60% mainly due to vegetation density. Declines in wind speed is a major concern causing lowering of wind turbine efficiency.
Wind speeds at earth’s surface have decreased in the US, Australia, China, and Europe. By converting open land into thick plantations or a forest, wind speed actually must decrease. In contrast, barren land like a desert is very hot, and wind rushes into warmer places due to natural convection currents. However, high temperatures are not desirable because they contribute directly to global warming.
Remedial Action
Deforestation contributes to global warming problems. Solar heat, seasonal changes, and the rising temperature of oceans (70% of earth is occupied by oceans) cause natural convection currents that cause uniform levels of high wind speed. This is a natural phenomenon.
Afforestation, increased ground level vegetation, and surrounding tall trees certainly ensure the steady, natural flow of high wind speeds that boost wind turbine efficiency. Wind turbines are purposely designed to operate at large heights, as the wind speed is higher up high than at ground level.
See what happens when there is a massive forest fire, which is common in the western US. Intense heat is generated, so much so that heavy winds rush into the hot site as the result of the law of convection currents. This is also the root cause of destruction due to hurricanes. Hence plantations everywhere drastically reduce global warming.
Multi-storied, high rise buildings can be provided with plant creepers from top to bottom and also surrounded with gardens. Such plantings generate a lusty and pleasant environment, safe guarding the health of people. We exhale carbon dioxide and the plants around us yield plenty of pure oxygen. This is the best way of minimizing global warming.
Seawater greenhouses can bring a new life to the deserts. Solar power evaporates salt water. This generates cool air and a supply of pure water. Presently there is an ambitious plan by architects and engineers to create vast greenhouses in deserts, using sea water to grow crops in plantations supplemented by solar power plants.
Of course, plants will not naturally grow in deserts due to extreme high temperatures and lack of water and nutrients. Nevertheless, researchers have found solutions providing greenhouses of high humidity at a lower temperature. Several greenhouse projects in deserts are being cultivated, namely the Sahara Forest project, the Eden project, and the seawater greenhouse invented by Charlie Paton.
Tips to control global warming
Agriculture generates 15% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming reduces emissions significantly.
Traffic generates 2.25 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions across the world as per statistics the related traffic are 750 million cars.
Deforestation accounts for 25% carbon dioxide and improvements in reforestation have avoided deforestation.
Melting glaciers gives rise to 4% average global temperatures resulting in rising of sea levels.
The hurricane storms frequently occur. Hurricane Katrina hurricane and 27 tropical storms in the northern hemisphere have caused extensive damage. These destructive calamities are due to ever increasing global temperature.
The desertification trend is a major concern which currently demolishes 30% of the world’s fertile land, as per the UN.
Vagaries of Wind Power
Wind power is interrelated to solar power. The wind usually blows when the sun is not shining. The winter season in Colorado, for example, has ferocious mountain winds when there is low sunlight.
Weather forecasters predict convection currents that form when warm and cold air masses meet in the atmosphere. Convection currents also cause warm water flow that occurs in oceans.
Conclusion
On one hand we are earnestly applying advanced technologies to control global warming for risk free environmental conditions to make our planet Earth a place for everyone enjoying our life style.
On the other hand our world is in jeopardy by the piling of dangerous nuclear bombs. We can never be safe as long as this invisible threat is a reality.
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