From that cool breeze off the ocean to the gust that lifts your kite, wind is a dynamic force. For centuries, wind has been captured for its powerful benefits. Explorers, pirates and mariners used the wind to power their boats and set sail for untold adventures. Farmers used it in the form of a windmill to pump water and grind grains. Now, we have the chance to harness the wind as a power source for a sustainable future.

It's no secret that coal and oil resources are limited, so it is time to start considering other alternatives such as wind energy. Fortunately, wind is a natural resource that is infinitely abundant and readily available. The wind is not going to stop blowing 20 years down the road. It's here for the long haul.

It seems that wind is now making big gusts into the energy market and investment brokers are taking notice. Google, for example, has already invested in 10 renewable energy projects, the most recent being $200 million stake in a wind farm called the Spinning Spur. Located in West Texas, the project spans more than 28,000 acres and claims to produce enough electricity to power 60,000 homes.

Wind energy is quickly growing within the United States and beyond, with more turbines being erected each year. Globally, the generation of wind energy more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006. If the pace of wind energy continues, industry experts predict that by 2050, wind energy will supply one third of the world's electricity needs.

Generating electricity through a wind turbine is a clean solution to energy needs. Unlike power plants, turbines produce no air or water pollution. In fact, wind energy can do a lot to offset carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Just 1 megawatt can displace 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide this year. If we increase our wind energy use to 20 percent, we could avoid 825 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

While wind energy is largely produced on wind farms and sold to utilities, you can also use the structures to power your home, business or schools. Small turbines can be installed to provide all your power needs, allowing you to live a sustainable lifestyle free from power plant emissions. If installing a turbine is not an option, consider purchases green energy from your energy provider.

Besides being a good, green energy alternative, the wind industry also has an economic benefit. Developing wind farms has created jobs in manufacturing, construction and operations for more than 75,000 Americans.

Another benefit of wind energy is the low operations costs. While installing a turbine might be somewhat pricey upfront, wind is free and there is no fuel required to convert it to electricity. Once the turbine is built, its operational costs are very low. There are also many government tax incentives in place to help spur the growth of the wind energy and offset the cost of turbines.

As technology advances and turbines rise in popularity, the cost of the structures will continue to decrease. If you want to find out if renewable energy is available in your area, check out Direct Energy power to go.