Every time there is a competition for the Seven Wonders of the Natural World Canada's Bay of Fundy ends up on the short list, although not in the top seven. Fundy is truly remarkable because of the diversity of sea life, including whales. It is also unique in its tidal rise and fall, the highest of any place of the world. The twice-daily ebb and flow is accentuated by what is called a seche. Simply put, the long, narrow shape of the bay creates an effect similar to what happens in a bathtub when we make a wave which runs to one end and then sloshes back toward the other end. This seche effect combined with the lunar pull creates the high tides.
Those of you who have seen Fundy tides know that they are so powerful that they flow like a turbulent river around points of land, or between points such as the mouth of the Minas Basin. Enter those who would like to harness this power to generate energy.
There is already a small tidal project on the Nova Scotia side (below) but an expert from the UK is in Halifax now speaking about the installations which have come on line there since 2008, and are much larger in scale.
I do believe that we will find our way into alternate forms of energy by fits and starts. We have come to realize that biofuels are probably a bad idea, using productive land to produce fuel rather than food. Wind power may be a mistake except in areas well away from human habitation. Solar has a big upside and tidal power may as well, if we can figure out how to protect marine ecosystems.
While musing about power sources may not seem to be a Christian concern for many, the bible does invite us to be responsible stewards of the planet. Lopping the tops off mountains for coal and strip-mining bitumen/oil sands deposits doesn't strike me as being respectful of Creation or the Creator.
What do you think folks?
I would love to visit the Bay of Funday again. It was a whirlwind tour with the kids a few years ago. Isn't it great that when a child is not having fun they make sure their parents don't either:)
ReplyDeleteI met a man on Sunday afternoon. I noticed a sticker on the bumper of his 2011 Ford F150 that said "Propane".
He used his truck for business, and said it is and aftermarket kit that costs $5000 it have installed. The result is more power, and much more economical. He has had it on for 28000km, and says it has already paid for it's self. He claims he only spends $150 per month on fuel for the truck.
It also can run on gas at the push of a button, if you can't find propane.
Why don't we hear more about these alternate fuels?