March 31, 2003 NEWS Page 5 Wind Energy: The Clean Way of the Future? By Stephanie Wilson Now that Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, wind energy will play an important role in reducing Canada’s emission levels to Protocol expectations. For example, the Canadian Association for Renewable Energies estimates that the North Cape Windfarm in Prince Edward Island, which operates eight 660 kW wind turbines, displaces 15, 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Theresa Howland, director of wind energy. Land Use: A common miscon- ception about wind energy is the amount of land a wind farm takes up. However, a wind turbine occu- pies only a small amount of land, and a farmer can plant crops right up to the base of the wind turbine. Visual impact: Some people feel that wind turbines “just aren’t nice to look at.” Howland argues that wind turbines are an “icon for sus- tainable living.” Besides, others people think that wind turbines are interesting to look at. Sound: Another common mis- conception is the sound of a wind turbine. “There is some noise, and it is louder when the turbine is producing energy, when it’s windy,” says Howland. The sound of a working wind turbine has been compared to that of a refrig- erator. Birds: Howland admits that old wind technology did result in bird deaths, but with today’s technolo- gy, “there are fewer bird deaths in wind farms than the average house cat.” Two factors contribute to fewer bird deaths: towers are no longer built with a lattice forma- tion, which means fewer birds perch and nest on wind turbine towers. Secondly, the locations of wind turbines are monitored to ensure wind farms are not located on major bird migration routes. Overall, there are many benefits to the use of wind power. Wind is a renewable and stable resource, and wind turbines are environ- mentally-friendly and reduce emission levels, says Howland. With today’s technology and increased interest, there is no rea- son why Canada cannot increase its use of clean, green wind energy. For more information on. wind energy check out the Canadian Wind Energy Associations web page: www.canwea.ca. Update from the PGPIRG Alternative Resource Library Submitted by PGPIRG Have you ever tried to use the PGPIRG Alternative Resource Library and were COMPLETELY frustrated because you couldn’t find what you were looking for? Then stay tuned for upcoming fundraising events to finance the PGPIRG Library Database! And in other news... From the HUGE success of our latest bake sale, the PGPIRG Alternative Resource Library was able to acquire some new resources. A special thanks to all of the volunteers that contributed their yummy goodies and thank you to all that supported our cause! Crashing the Party: Taking on the Corporate Government in an Age of Surrender - Ralph Nader To honour the man who came up with the Public Interest Research Group, we decided we needed some more Ralph Nader in our library collection. This book takes a closer look at the infamous American 2000 elections, how gov- ernment interests have been taken over by corporate bankrolling, and what needs to happen in the future for people to take back their politi- cal system. Genethics: The Ethics of Engineering Life - David Suzuki and Peter Knudtson: According to the Toronto Star, “If you are utterly bewildered by genetic engineering but feel you should learn some- thing about it because you suspect it’s important, and if you don’t have all that much time for this, here’s the book for you!” Well, that says it! Guerrilla’ Warfare - Che Guevara: This fascinating book by the Argentinean revolutionary, El Che, consists of three of his most influential essays describing his tactical philosophy of fighting a guerrilla war. Some very interest- ing and useful information in here... Necessary Illusions: Thought control in Democratic Societies - Noam Chomsky: For all of you Chomsky fans, here is another classic... According to the Multinational Monitor, Necessary Illusions illustrates compelling evidence that the media fulfill a propaganda function for business and government. This book will provide you with hours of light reading or serve as an excellent academic reference. Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell: It is a shame we didn’t have this classic work of fiction in our library sooner! If you’ve already read it, read it again. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for? This book is amazing! The Lorax - Dr. Seuss: The clas- sic tale of the little fuzzy creature, the Lorax, who reminds us that “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not...” This book is definitely not just for kids! The Trouble With Democracy: A Citizen Speaks Out - William D. Gairdner: In his book, the author examines the consequences of the comfortable illusion of increased personal freedom that camouflages the reality of perva- sive control in every aspect of national life. This book is intended to challenge us to reconsider the standard interpretations of democ- racy and to offer us a new and refreshing understanding of the proper nature of a free and civil society. Very profound... The War at Home: An Intimate Portrait of Canada’s Poor - Pat Capponi: From the author’s trav- els across the country investigating the lives and communities of the poor, this book examines how poverty differs from city to city, the legacy of poverty within families, and inventive ways some groups have found to improve their living conditions. This book is not just some boring academic text. The stories will keep your interest the whole way through! The Warmth of Love: The Four Seasons of Sophie Thomas (Video) - Terry Jacks: In this amaz- ing local film, Sophie Thomas explains the need to look after our Mother Earth while she collects her traditional medicines from the forest. Among other things, this film explores the concepts of con- sumerism, pesticides, dam build- ing, and current logging practices. Everyone should see this film! Trust Us, We're Experts! How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles With Your Future - Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber: From the authors of Toxic Sludge is Good for You! this book examines the sneaky and wide- spread methods industry uses to influence opinion through phony experiments, doctored data, and manufactured facts. Yikes! Again, a good read on its own or a good academic reference. Our Current Subscriptions... Adbusters, Briar Patch, Canadian Dimensions, Cannabis Culture, The CCPA Monitor, Covert Action Quarterly, Earth First, Freedom Socialist, Global Outlook, The Long Haul, Mother Jones, Redwire, Skeptical Inquirer, Yes!, and Z Magazine.