LESSON THREE Exploring a Public Issue Facing Michigan Citizens UNIT SIX: PUBLIC ISSUES FACING MICHIGAN CITIZENS

The BIG Ideas… One problem facing Michigan is our growing use of energy. It is important to develop new sources of renewable energy to supply our energy needs. Wind farms are a good source of clean, renewable energy. Winds are often the strongest off the shorelines of the Great Lakes. People disagree over whether or not to allow wind farms in the Great Lakes.

public issue an issue that affects many, many people Example: One issue in her city was whether or not to build a new police station.

Public Issues Public issues are disagreements that affect many people in a community, state, or country. Public issues begin with a problem. The public issue is the result of people disagreeing on how to resolve, or settle the problem.

natural resources things in nature that people find useful Example: Water, soil, and trees are natural resources.

Public issues often result from disagreements over how to use Michigan’s natural resources.

Problems Relating to Energy Use in Michigan Michigan uses a lot of energy. Michigan needs to find new sources of energy. Lots of the things we do every day need energy. Some of the sources of energy we use can cause pollution problems. We will continue to need more and more energy.

non renewable forms of energy forms of energy that will not last forever Example: Coal, oil, fuels, and metals are non-renewable forms of energy.

renewable forms of energy energy that can be used over and over Example: Sun and wind provide renewable forms of energy. Water, farmland, and forests are renewable.

“Where Do We Get Our Energy?” According to the bar graph, do we get more of our energy from renewable energy sources or non-renewable energy sources? What kinds of non- renewable energy sources do we use? What problem is illustrated on this bar graph?

Very little of the energy we use comes from renewable sources like wind or the sun. This is a problem because eventually, we will run out of non- renewable energy sources like petroleum and coal. There are advantages to using renewable forms of energy.

wind farm a group of wind turbines in the same location Example: Wind farms are being created in Michigan to provide electricity.

Harvest Wind Farm

Michigan Wind Map The greens show lighter winds and the pinks, oranges, and reds show stronger winds. Where are the strongest winds in Michigan? The strongest winds are located in the Great Lakes, not on land.

Michigan Wind Map If you wanted to put a wind farm where the winds were strongest, where would you put a wind farm? Putting a wind farm offshore in one of the Great Lakes would be a good place if you wanted to put a wind farm to benefit from the strongest winds.

Your task: Identify some reasons why we should build wind farms in the Great Lakes. Putting wind farms in the Great Lakes is one possible way to help solve our energy problems in Michigan.

Wind Farms in the Great Lakes Reasons for Building ThemPossible Problems

What would the wind farms look like from shore? How would people who own land along the shore feel about wind farms? What might be some problems in building a wind farm in one of the Great Lakes? Think of potential problems in building wind farms in the Great Lakes.

Wind Farms in the Great Lakes Reasons for Building ThemPossible Problems

Wind Farms in the Great Lakes Reasons for Building ThemPossible Problems Winds are stronger in the Great Lakes than on land. They could generate a lot of energy. Michigan needs new sources of renewable energy. They would not bother anyone out in the water. They might spoil the beautiful view of the lakes. People who own land along the shore might not want to look at them. They might cause problems for ships. They might cause environmental problems. They would be harder to build than wind farms on land.

Assessment What kind of wind farms are causing disagreements? What would be one reason to build this kind of wind farm? What would be one possible problem with this kind of wind farms?

Assessment – Sample Answers What kind of wind farms are causing disagreements? Wind farms that would be built in the Great Lakes. What would be one reason to build this kind of wind farm? The winds are stronger in the Great Lakes and these wind farms could create a lot of energy. What would be one possible problem with this kind of wind farms? They might cause problems for boats or birds. They might spoil the view of the Great Lakes.

point of view the way a person looks at and thinks about an issue Example: People had different points of view about whether or not to build a new police station.