I was excited to read about the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management’s approval of a lease for 122,405 acres for offshore wind near Kitty Hawk. I recently saw my first wind turbines when I studied abroad in Denmark and Germany this past summer, and, while I have studied renewable energy for years, I had never seen an example in person until then. I think everyone should have the opportunity to see a technology that produces such clean energy and now North Carolinians will.

Offshore wind is an excellent path toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions and fighting climate change. Climate change affects everyone in North Carolina. The probability of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and heat waves is rising. Also, a report by the EPA expects the global sea level to rise by another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. This would have catastrophic effects for our coast and the rest of North Carolina.

Denmark and Germany are using wind energy to reduce their carbon footprint and, in North Carolina, we have the potential to do the exact same. I urge all North Carolinians to submit comments of approval on the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management’s decision while also demanding more leasing for offshore wind farms.

Ellie Hardwick

Ellie Hardwick is a junior studying environmental science and political science, and is co-president of the Wolfpack Environmental Student Association