Even the biggest fans of Aruba and Curacao must admit that it's jarring for visitors to see the big oil refineries on these islands spewing tons of pollutants across the otherwise brilliant blue Caribbean skies.
It's part of the reality of living in a world fueled by hydrocarbons, and some of the fuel made here is destined for U.S. gas tanks. However, its good to know that both islands are also taking steps toward a greener future.
The Tera Kora and Playa Kanoa wind farms in Curacao, for example, will soon put out a combined 30 megawatts of clean power, and Aruba also is building a 30 megawatt wind farm -- a great legacy for future generations of residents of two islands where Dutch heritage and steady trade winds makes alternative energy projects like these a natural fit.