Thanks to the dozen classrooms who worked with us through our beta program in Spring 2007! Your useful feedback and inspiring eCards helped us create this engaging educational resource. Here are three outstanding eCards from that beta program.
Catch the Wind
An eCard by Susan D, Agnes MacPhail Public School
To the Right Honourable Dwight Duncan,
Experts say that wind energy in Canada can possibly provide twenty percent of our electrical needs. That goes to show that Canada should start to look into wind energy to supply our needs. For one reason wind is a renewable energy source, so it can be used forever. Wind is actually a flow resource because it can replace itself by natural causes. If wind energy were to be used as a major part of our energy supply, then we wouldn't have to rely on non-renewable resources that are not always going to be there. My second argument would be that wind power doesn't influence global warming. Global warming affects our freshwater sources, the weather, flooding and many more environmental issues. By using wind energy we are able to reduce fossil fuel emissions, which is one of the many causes of global warming. Wind power is an alternative energy source that can reduce the effects that global warming has on the earth. Lastly, wind is very affordable, so it's open to anyone who chooses to use it. Unlike gasoline, which currently has very high costs, wind energy is free so it doesn't matter what your family's status is. Therefore based on these arguments and facts wind energy is not only resourceful but it can be used to provide a healthier and cleaner environment.
Do as the Germans do
An eCard by Hassan K, Agnes MacPhail Public School
How are doing? It has come to my attention that you are promoting the use of solar energy. I agree with you. I believe solar power will be the electrical resource of the future.
In 2005, Germany had installed over 600 megawatts of solar PV cells while Canada had installed less than 2 MW. Canada has to do as the Germans do!
Solar power is a safe and affordable energy resource. It doesn't pollute like the burning of fossil fuels. It is cost-efficient since solar power does not belong to anyone and is a flow resource, so it will never run out.
Pollution is a serious issue within the electrical resource. Nuclear energy and other forms of non-renewable energy are destroying our environment. Hydro power requires river diversions that destroy our lakes and there isn't always enough wind power to generate electricity. This is why we should turn to solar power. It delivers hundreds of megawatts worth of power to our homes.
Solar power is growing in popularity as an alternative energy resource. Solar power is environmentally friendly and cost effective. Experts predict that by 2040, 50% of the world's energy will be solar powered.
Solar energy will be the electrical resource of the future.
Wind Power — A Cleaner Way to Live
An eCard by Ainsley R, WI Dick Public School
Dear Mr. Turner,
My name is Ainsley and in school we've been learning about different forms of energy. I've been learning about wind power. In my opinion wind power is an amazing energy source.
Although the turbines are expensive to purchase and install, the wind itself doesn't cost any money at all because it occurs naturally. If the wind is slow, with just the slightest increase in wind speed more energy can be used to power more homes and communities. If we add more wind farms to cities across Canada we will have a cleaner way to live because wind farms do not produce any pollution which will also reduce our contribution to Global Warming.
The town of Milton (fastest growing community in Canada) is using farm land to build new houses which would be perfect for wind farms. The more the population grows, the more pollution will be added, thus affecting the air quality.
Please consider adding more wind farms. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I look forward to a response.
