Examining the History of Steel, Unions, and Offshore Wind Perspectives

This essay explores the history of steel production in Baltimore, focusing on the role of the Pennsylvania Steel Company and Bethlehem Steel in shaping the city's economy. It discusses the formation and importance of labor unions in response to poor working conditions and low wages in the steel industry, highlighting the 1919 Great Steel Strike. Furthermore, the essay examines the environmental claims surrounding offshore wind farms as a solution for post-industrial landscapes, considering both the benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions, and the drawbacks, including noise pollution and impacts on marine ecosystems. The essay concludes by advocating for a balanced approach that considers the well-being of the environment when implementing offshore wind infrastructure, utilizing spatial planning tools to minimize negative impacts.

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Prompt for Engaged Learning
The History of Steel in Baltimore
Pennsylvania Steel Company brought steel in the City of Baltimore in 1893 by building a
shipyard and steel mill. In 1916, the organization acquired Bethlehem Steel resulting in the steel
industry dominating Baltimore’s economy (Stoddard 77). The Company constructed the Sparrow
Point, a residential community to accommodate its staffs. Workers from distinct nationalities
including African-American, Hungarian, Russian, German, Irish, and Welsh flocked into
Baltimore in pursuit of employment opportunities in the steel industry.
The Importance of unions in steel communities
Industrial workers in the early and late 20th and 19th centuries respectively were subjected to
desperate circumstances including poor working conditions, low salaries, and long working
hours. The rapid growth of factory production and mechanization coupled with the desperate
circumstances of employees resulted in the resurfacing of labor unions (Library of Congress). As
a consequence, a majority of steel workers were forced to seek the help of radical and socialist
labor organizations to address their economic and social inequalities triggered by industrial
capitalism (Fuechtmann 74). Even though it was somewhat difficult for labor unions to organize
a large number of staffs at the end of the 19th century, they succeed in organizing work stoppages
and strikes. Example of such strikes is the 1919 Great Steel Strike organized by the American
Federation of Labor. The workers were not happy with how the United States Steel Corporation

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handled them. They complained of long working hours with poor working conditions and low
wages, and they joined labor unions with the hope that these issues would be addressed
successfully.
Environmental Organizations Claims Regarding Offshore Wind
Environmental organizations contend that offshore wind might be a feasible solution to post-
industrial landscapes. These organizations believe that wind power is both a promising and
significant type of renewable energy source. It is clean with no impact on the environment
compared to coal, oil, and natural gas (Karydis 586). For example, there are no emissions from
the wind turbines and people do not need to be worried about water or air being polluted.
Besides, the turbines do not need water to cool and play a significant role in reducing the
dependence on coal for electricity generation, further contributing to low carbon emissions and
air pollution.
Offshore wind farms arguably are beneficial for both the community and the environment
including mitigating changes in climate, boosting the growth of the economy, enhancing energy
supply, and creating employment opportunities. However, environmental organizations fail to
take into consideration the impact of offshore wind farms including noise, visual intrusion, and
effects on nature (Karydis 590). The implementation of offshore wind farms often lead to
conflicts with distinct stakeholders including the recreational industry and fishers. Furthermore,
the installation costs and the turbines are quite expensive. Maintenance and grid connection costs
are also very high (Karydis 590). However, compared to coal and oil, offshore wind farms
remain a viable solution to post-industrial landscapes. Therefore, those tasked with the
responsibility of installing offshore wind infrastructure must consider the well-being of the
marine ecosystem by making use of spatial planning tools

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Works Cited
Fuechtmann, Thomas G. Steeples and Stacks: Religion and Steel Crisis in Youngstown.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Print.
Karydis, Michael. “Public Attitudes and Environmental Impacts of Wind Farms: A Review”.
Global Nest Journal, vol.15, no.4, 2013, pp.581-600
Library of Congress. Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900: Work in the Late 19th Century.
15May.2019,
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/
presentations/timeline/riseind/work/ . Accessed 15May.2019.
Stoddard, Brooke C. Steel from Mine to Mill, the Metal That Made America. Boston, Ma:
Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.