A scene from Global Wind Day last year

By Jessica Anania

On 15 June, thousands of people will gather at over 200 events across the globe to discover wind energy as part of Global Wind Day. Global Wind Day offers both wind energy enthusiasts and novices opportunities to visit wind farms, discover the technology and its benefits and to have fun at one of the many festivals and open days on offer.

While the events of Global Wind Day are widespread, all involved are united by a belief in the importance of advocating for green energy.

In Tamilnadu, India, over 320 students at the Everest KenBridge School aged 3-13 will spend 15 June examining the structures of wind turbines and learning how to calculate wind speeds. Mr. Jayaganapthy, the school’s principal, describes how their area has already faced severe energy shortages and remains heavily reliant on diesel fuel. After installing solar powered lights and realising their efficiency, he became even more interested in renewable energy options. And he realised that his students were too when involving them in Global Wind Day.

“For every social cause, we need to promote awareness programmes amongst students, which will in turn become a revolution,” Mr. Jayaganapthy explained.

Dr. Ioannis Tsipouridis, the President of the Hellenic Wind Energy Association in Greece, shares that sentiment:

“To address the issue of climate change, we have to bring about a change in the energy scene that is revolutionary in all its aspects. This is best understood by young people, simply because we are talking about their future, so they have to get involved as early as possible,” said Dr. Tsipouridis.

On Global Wind Day, the Hellenic Wind Energy Association will sponsor a painting competition, a whimsical treasure hunt for parts of a wind turbine hidden throughout Athens, and two showings of a musical fairytale called “The Story of Wind,” featuring famed soprano Katia Paschou. While those events cater primarily to children and children-at-heart, adults will have the opportunity to peruse both an abbreviated leaflet, “A to Z of Wind Energy,” and a more thorough publication, “All that you should know about wind energy that they don’t want you to learn.”

Meanwhile, in Bordeaux, France, people will gather to form a human wind turbine in the ‘jardin public’ (public park) today – 7 June – at 16.30. Find out more on this website.

In other places, families will gather to explore onshore and offshore wind turbines, test drive fuel-efficient vehicles, enjoy arts & crafts, food, and music. In the process, adults and children can learn about the benefits of clean, renewable wind energy as a way to ensure a healthy earth, green jobs and energy security.

“I am a father of three and a grandfather of three, and I want my children and my grandchildren to have a world to live in,” explained Dr. Tripouridis, explaining his personal dedication to wind energy.

With so many events already planned worldwide, participation is as easy as finding the event nearest you. Or, it’s still not too late to plan your own Global Wind Day event. No matter how you choose to participate on 15 June, you will be a part of a worldwide wind energy movement.