By Valerie S. Johnson
Dude, what’s more important: battling global warming or catching the perfect wave? There is an inconvenient conflict growing between two unlikely groups in Britain. In one corner are the local authorities and power companies who are developing the Wave Hub, a $49 million innovative wave power system. Harnessing the power of the waves off the Atlantic coast of Cornwall is intended to generate energy and further the European Union’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
However, surfers who frequent the waves along Britain’s southwest peninsula say the Wave Hub will draw energy away from their waves and could cut wave heights by up to 11 percent. Cornwall is a hotbed for surfers, over 600 of whom have petitioned the government to further consider the potential impact of the Wave Hub on their sport.
What does this have to do with personal finance? It’s an example of how we and our government officials are making more decisions about how our activities as consumers affect our environment – and vice versa.
Surf's up!
04-03-2007, 08:59 PM
Who Moved My Wave?
