I think I have the key to the wind turbine debate

On Saturday I enjoyed a lengthy and sometimes heated debate re pros and cons related to a proposed group of wind turbines on the Bruce Peninsula.

Final score:

Men from the Bruce - 3

Man from Deforest City - 3

As two friends and I drove past a long row of turbines near Kincardine yesterday on our way back home to London we hit upon the key to the whole debate about energy production, whether by coal, nuclear fission, water or wind turbines.

“One thing that would take some of the heat out of all the talk is public education about the benefits of energy conservation,” I said.


["Unplug the machines - conserve energy": photo GAH]

The three of us all agreed we live in a society driven by consumption, yet we were as happy as clams sharing a small room over a garage for the weekend. And not buying anything. Just visiting with others.

We all knew people addicted to shopping. Keeping up with the Joneses. Needing the next new thing. With closets full of clothes. Garages full of unused or little-used STUFF.

We agreed we have so many material things in our own homes that require attention our own free time is often kept to the minimum. And we’re all retired, for Pete’s sake.

We agreed it made sense to conserve money and energy etc., and spend more time enjoying the natural world we have around us.

***

Can we unplug the machines more often? Unplug ourselves?

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