Wind turbines have caused a widely discussed issue in Greece. But, before we observe the two points of view that are encountered, we should find out some information about them. Firstly, wind turbines are units whose role is to produce electricity from the power of wind, and it is considered as sustainable development because they do not consume sources which are not replaceable.

In Greece, there hasn?t still been an agreement about whether the wind turbines constitute a more viable source of energy than oil, gas or coal, and should be spread all along the country. As a result the installation of them has decreased over the last year, in combination with financial factors, see diagram.

There are two major points of view about this issue. The first point is that the wind turbines are really valuable. Not only do they produce electricity without fossil fuels, but also they decrease the use of those fuels, and as a result less pollutes are emitted in the atmosphere diminishing the greenhouse effect. The energy that a wind turbine produces prevents the emission of CO₂ that would be replenished with about 150.000 trees -according to Greenpeace.  Also, the creation of a wind park is a financially efficient investment because Greece has much wind and the built of those structures can combat the unemployment which has been increased over the last few years due to the economic crisis. Finally, in some opinions wind turbines are aesthetically beautiful, because they remind the windmills which were built in many places in Greece.

On the other hand, it has been said that, the wind turbines degrade the landscape where they are built, firstly because they are considered to destroy an environment from its natural form and secondly, by the sound they emit. Also, it has been claimed that wind turbines influence the birthrate of the nearby flocks of sheep and kill a great number of passing birds. Also, some people argue that the increase of the number of wind turbines in countries like Denmark or Scotland has caused a decrease in tourism. Greece is a country strongly based on tourism mainly on the Aegean islands where the wind potential is stronger.

In my opinion, Greece can greatly improve its economy by sustainable development, because of its rich sources of wind and sun. However, the companies should find a way to compromise with people who disagree with the creation of wind turbines. In Germany for example, there was a law who enforced companies to make wind turbines which do not produce sound over 3dB. And finally, the wind turbines can simply become a part of a landscape, don?t you agree?