Currently climate change throughout the world is taking place at an accelerated rate; in fact, the current magnitude of warming is the largest that has ever been seen within a single century. This is no doubt a result of a 30% increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide gas within the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels. The long ranging consequences of such makes climate change the most important sustainable development, in order to reverse, or at least minimize, the effects of the industrial revolution in the past century and more.

Reduction of carbon dioxide, and other green house gases, within the atmosphere has become a major concern; the use of sustainable resources that do not emit carbon dioxide have become more important than ever. In keeping with this idea, G.P. Vainer Secondary’s Chemistry Twelve class was given that task to find new ways to make the Comox Valley more “Green” by using alternative methods of sustainable energy.  Energy is only considered sustainable if it comes from natural resources that do not die out; in addition, it would be beneficial if the energy source was universally available and more dispersed than the current oil fields that are being used. A sustainable resource is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, as well the environmental impacts of individual developments must not have unacceptable impacts. This project will explore the option of wind energy harvested from Wind Farms in fitting with the above definitions as our source of sustainable energy.

First we shall start with investigating the resource to make sure it fits the above criteria, then we shall apply what we have learned directly to the Comox Valley.