Modern Windmills are a familiar sight in Portugal´s beautiful country side. The horrible suffering of the Japanese earthquake victims is being augmented by the terrible accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear power plant. Tthe pros and cons of nuclear energy are many. But the humans who have created the nuclear power monster do not know how to control it or how to safely dispose the waste it produces. As a textile designer and innkeeper, I do not profess to know any of the indepth physics related to the nuclear energy process. But it seems so unrational to create such a powerful force that ultimately can not be contolled and can run amok through natural disasters and human error. Regrettfully it often takes a catastroph to make the wake up call. And I wonder what the pro-nuclear environmentalists, such as Stewart Brand and James Lovelace, are saying now.
One of the many reasons I love Portugal is that it is a leader in renewable energy. This tiny country has taken the world leadership in wind and solar energy and produces more than 45% of its energy needs sustainably. Portugal has the world´s largest wind and solar farms and a wave farm is currently being built. Many homes have solar panels on their roofs and sell the generated power to the electric companies. And this year electric car charging stations are to be opened in various locations all over the country. Portugal hopes to be a pioneer in zero emission mobility. Of course, all this technology has a hefty price and electricity is for the time being expensive. But the expensive electricity also has folks conserving energy. For example most everyone hangs their laundry out to dry. And the alternative energy will eventually pay for itself and energy prices should level out , hopefully!
Antique Windmills such as these were common in Portugal. We have the ruins of one at Colina Flora eco-guesthouse, which we hope to eventually convert into a guestroom. For folks seeking to travel without a car. Colina Flora offers shuttle airport, beach and sightseeing shuttle service. The Serra da Sintra Natural Park is wonderful for walking and cycling and there is great public transportation. For more information go to www.colinaflora.com or contact us at the colinaflora@hotmail.com
One of the many reasons I love Portugal is that it is a leader in renewable energy. This tiny country has taken the world leadership in wind and solar energy and produces more than 45% of its energy needs sustainably. Portugal has the world´s largest wind and solar farms and a wave farm is currently being built. Many homes have solar panels on their roofs and sell the generated power to the electric companies. And this year electric car charging stations are to be opened in various locations all over the country. Portugal hopes to be a pioneer in zero emission mobility. Of course, all this technology has a hefty price and electricity is for the time being expensive. But the expensive electricity also has folks conserving energy. For example most everyone hangs their laundry out to dry. And the alternative energy will eventually pay for itself and energy prices should level out , hopefully!
Antique Windmills such as these were common in Portugal. We have the ruins of one at Colina Flora eco-guesthouse, which we hope to eventually convert into a guestroom. For folks seeking to travel without a car. Colina Flora offers shuttle airport, beach and sightseeing shuttle service. The Serra da Sintra Natural Park is wonderful for walking and cycling and there is great public transportation. For more information go to www.colinaflora.com or contact us at the colinaflora@hotmail.com
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