Air flow through
wind turbines or
sails can produce significant mechanical
power.
Windmills are used for their mechanical power,
windpumps for
water pumping, and
sails to propel
ships, but the most frequent current use is to turn a generator for
electrical power.
Wind power, as an alternative to burning
fossil fuels, is plentiful,
renewable, widely distributed,
clean, produces no
greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and uses little land. The net
effects on the environment are far less problematic than those of nonrenewable power sources.