Photo by Master Wen on Unplash

Contributed by Clay Morrison

A growing number of the largest and most populous cities around the globe are becoming more awareof the human impact on our. Many cities are even competing to become the most eco-friendly in the world. They are adopting innovative strategies and technologies to maximise their environmental credentials.

One of the key areas for change has been the transition into renewable energy sources. Without a doubt, wind power ranks high, but some commentators question whether wind farms can produce enough power for entire cities.

The wind farm defined

A wind farm occupiesan area of land or sea chosen for its generous share of wind. It comprises a collection ofwind turbines placed strategically to leverage that wind goldmine. The wind causes those turbines to spin in the most efficient way possible to generate electricity with no harmful by-products. Wind farms offer an alternative to burning fossil fuels to create power.

Some wind farms are small operations with a handful of turbines. Others span hundreds of square miles with dozens of turbines grinding away. The largest offshore wind farm in the world is the UK’s Walney Wind Farm. It covers the almost 20,000 football pitches,demonstratingthe viability of offshore wind farms of this scale.

Powering the top global cities

According to research, wind farms have the potential to produce up to 40 times the amount of electricity needed by the entire planet. However, wind power actually accounts for only around 4% of the total energy consumed in society today. Scepticism about the legitimacy of wind power remains.Also,establishing new wind farmshas been expensive. Today, the cost of constructing wind farms is decreasing, however– so it is likely we will see more of them being built soon.. Offshore wind farms, in particular, are likely to increase since they don’t take up valuable land space.

RS Online have created an infographic to illustrate how many offshore wind turbines would be required to power the world’s top cities. The company also depict how much space those wind farms would actually take up. Experts predict that solar and wind farms will account for around one-third of the world’s electricity by 2040.  Thus, these offshore wind farms are far more than the fantasy of climate change activists despite the claims of sceptics.

The climate change question

Currently, the public at large have heard significant revelations that suggest an urgent need to make sweeping changes to the way we live our lives. Popular documentaries have shown us the impact our lifestyles are having on nature. In-depth studies conducted over many years have provided measurable data as evidence of the damage humans have caused. Many of the world’s political parties have gone so far as to declare a climate crisis. Although some still remain sceptical of this narrative, a general consensus is gathering behind the need for change.

With human beings spread across the globe, wind farms have the capacity to revolutionise world-wide production of electricity.

About the author:

Clay Morrison is a freelance content producer from London. He loves surfing and biking, whilst practising his skills in nature photography. He writes mostly about technology, health, sustainability, and eco-businesses. Follow him on Twitter: @ClayMediaProd