First Wind Turbine in North America
By Elena Christopoulos
Last night I watched a great film, created by Mitch Haigh. It was called ‘Winded’. Mitch goes on a journey to find the real truth about Wind Turbines. The film looks at both sides of the debate and controversy of Wind Turbines, specifically the concerns of residents from Prince Edward County located in Ontario, Canada. Mitch is a resident of Prince Edward County where heated debates continue with regards to Wind Turbines and in the film he seeks out answers that he needs. His path took him to the first urban Wind Turbine in North America, which is located in downtown Toronto, quite close to the financial district. He concludes the film with an informed decision that he is pleased with, one that I am pleased with as well. At the end of the day, many people are afraid of ‘new’ things and of change. I respect that. I also feel with additional education people will embrace renewable energy, specifically in the form of a lovely wind turbine. I hope to see more YIMBY’s along my travels. What is a YIMBY? It is an acronym for ‘Yes In My Backyard.’
With Earth Day fast approaching, surely you too are looking for a way to express your inner green. Purchasing natural products for yourself, your family and your home, as well as using alternative energy sources like wind and solar are all eco-friendly practices. Remember, Earth Day is every day.
Enjoy the film. Great work, Mitch.
Elena Christopoulos is an environmental consultant based out of Los Angeles and Toronto. Ms.Christopoulos has advised some of North America’s most recognizable Fortune 500 companies, and also advises political campaigns and parties on electoral strategy, in both the public and private sectors in Canada, Europe, and the United States.
Her areas of specialty: are green environmental initiatives, alternative energy and health related initiatives and she is often referred to as a ‘wind guru’.
In 1997 she implemented the first urban turbine in North America (erected in downtown Toronto in 2002), the first community-owned power wind project in Ontario, and she has been involved in similar projects worldwide ever since — implemented recycling programs globally and lobbying for environmental issues to help frame public policy.
