Proposed Wind Farm in Canada, Essay Example

The dilemma in question is in regards to a proposed wind farm in Canada.  It would involve 110 wind turbines spaced over 100 square kilometers in shallow water in Haida Gwaii, in British Columbia (Murray 2009).  Producing 393 megawatts, it would produce a great deal of energy and employment opportunities in the region.

However, it is not that simple.  The proposed project is complicated by environmental concerns.  The area is home to millions of migrating birds that pass through this area every spring and fall.  The birds could be disturbed as the site has the highest level of sensitivity, according to Environment Canada’s guidelines for wind farms (Murray 2009).  Further effects, such as lowered fitness, lower breeding, and other stresses for the birds have been mentioned.

Ethical Approaches

Kant’s ethical approach with regards to the Categorical Imperative can be applied to this case.  In this ethical response, the action needs to be observed for what it is in itself, and not some other element, such as the effect.  The consequences of the action are thus not taken into account, which sets Kant’s deontological ethics apart from other systems.

In regards to the current dilemma, the action in itself must be observed.  If it is simply a question of sacrificing the well-being of the birds for our own motives, of that of energy and employment opportunities, than it would seem as if the wind farm would not be a good idea.  It should be noted that it is perhaps not this simple, as the effects of the wind farm are speculative.  At any rate, addressing this question in itself, it would not be right to build a wind farm to undermine the well-being of the birds and wildlife.

Utilitarianism is a popular contrasting set of ethics to the deontological ethics of Kant’s system.  In this system, the greater good is the only motive for judging whether an action that is right or wrong, in what choice will produce the greatest happiness.  Thus, the wind farm is viewed only in regards to what happiness it will bring for the greatest number of people.

Several lines of thought advocate the building of the wind farm.  As nature is involved, it would only seem logical that human happiness will be granted in the case of building a wind farm.  Sustainable energy and prospects of employment opportunities trump those who oppose the disturbance of the animals.  Furthermore, the well-being of birds is not considered highly in a system of ethics like utilitarianism.  It is only that of human beings.

Response

From these two sets of ethics, I would prefer Kant’s.  Until the situation is identified more clearly, the well-being of the birds and of the environment cannot be undermined by a wind farm is a sensitive area.  It would not be just to impose such means to disturb the wildlife that has made the area an important part of their migrating process.

The situation could justify using the wind farm, however.  From the article and critics’ responses, the speculative effects have ranged quite a bit.  On one side, the wind farm could pose extremely dangerous means to the birds’ well-being.  However, others argue that the wind farm would be safe for the wildlife and would not pose such serious threats.

Overall in this situation, Kant’s ethics would be preferable.  Approaching the dilemma it would seem that not going through with the wind farm would be appropriate, keeping the birds’ well-being and interests in mind.  However, perhaps the benefits of the wind farm can be realized without jeopardizing the environment in the area.

Works Cited

Murray, Anne. 2009. “NaiKun offshore wind farm presents environmental dilemma.” Straight.com. Retrieved from http://www.straight.com/article-239908/anne-murray-naikun-offshore-wind-farm-presents-environmental-dilemma.